Post by Arlene on Jan 23, 2006 20:41:41 GMT -5
www.geocities.com/Heartland/2432/haychart.html
Nutritional Information - Hay Chart for Bunnies
The information contained in this is from the "Nutritional Composition of Animal Feeds" published by the US government. I used the listings for horses, since their digestive system is similar to that of rabbits. There is a book "nutritional requirements of rabbits", but it is rather old (1986) and is designed for meat rabbits.
A couple of comments and a little clarification:
Timothy ranges widely in it's protein content and energy content. Basically, the younger the plant when the hay is cut the higher the protein and energy; the lower the fiber content. Typically, they Timothy sold in bags and pet stores is late cut (one reason it's so brown).
If there are other hays that anyone would like included let me know, and I'll look them up next time I go to the library.
Commonly
Used Hays Energy Protein Fiber Calcium
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Timothy High(56-41) Med(15.2-7.0) Low(24-33) Med(.59-.26)
Alfalfa Med(42) High(11.7) High(34.4) High(1.03)
Oat Med(43) Med(8.5) Med(27.8) Low(.22)
(Numbers in parentheses are percentages.)
Other Hays
Fescue Low Med High Med
Clover High High Low High
Wheat Straw Low Low High Low
Bermuda Grass Med Med Med Med
Wheat Grass Low Low Low Low
Rye Grass Low Low High Low
Kentucky
Bluegrass High High Med Med
Oat Straw High Low High Low
Orchard Grass Med High Med Med
Hope this helps. As always, if you have any questions about what the numbers mean or how I came up with the rankings, feel free to ask. Also, if there are any hays you would like me to add, I can do it.
Laura Tessmer
69763@strauss.udel.edu
Nutritional Information - Hay Chart for Bunnies
The information contained in this is from the "Nutritional Composition of Animal Feeds" published by the US government. I used the listings for horses, since their digestive system is similar to that of rabbits. There is a book "nutritional requirements of rabbits", but it is rather old (1986) and is designed for meat rabbits.
A couple of comments and a little clarification:
Timothy ranges widely in it's protein content and energy content. Basically, the younger the plant when the hay is cut the higher the protein and energy; the lower the fiber content. Typically, they Timothy sold in bags and pet stores is late cut (one reason it's so brown).
If there are other hays that anyone would like included let me know, and I'll look them up next time I go to the library.
Commonly
Used Hays Energy Protein Fiber Calcium
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Timothy High(56-41) Med(15.2-7.0) Low(24-33) Med(.59-.26)
Alfalfa Med(42) High(11.7) High(34.4) High(1.03)
Oat Med(43) Med(8.5) Med(27.8) Low(.22)
(Numbers in parentheses are percentages.)
Other Hays
Fescue Low Med High Med
Clover High High Low High
Wheat Straw Low Low High Low
Bermuda Grass Med Med Med Med
Wheat Grass Low Low Low Low
Rye Grass Low Low High Low
Kentucky
Bluegrass High High Med Med
Oat Straw High Low High Low
Orchard Grass Med High Med Med
Hope this helps. As always, if you have any questions about what the numbers mean or how I came up with the rankings, feel free to ask. Also, if there are any hays you would like me to add, I can do it.
Laura Tessmer
69763@strauss.udel.edu
