Hay--Oat and clover

[SatinsRule]

Thinking very seriously about trying some locally cut hay that consists of wild oat and clover. A farmer who's about 30 miles from the house is baling it this weekend, and I'm thinking about getting a bale of it.

Anyone on here have any experience with hay like this? Pros and cons?

The alfalfa experiement isn't going well. Very few of the rabbits want anything to do with it, and it'll likely become deer plot forage in the near future.

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

The oat hay must be hay, and not oat straw with the seed heads still attached to it-- so, if the oat stems and leaves are not green, do not buy it.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

Thinking very seriously about trying some locally cut hay that consists of wild oat and clover. A farmer who's about 30 miles from the house is baling it this weekend, and I'm thinking about getting a bale of it.

Anyone on here have any experience with hay like this? Pros and cons?

The alfalfa experiement isn't going well. Very few of the rabbits want anything to do with it, and it'll likely become deer plot forage in the near future.

I am having the same problem. Some of my rabbits done like the alfalfa hay. I have to keep some grass hay on hand . SO know i have both.

 

[SatinsRule]

I guess I'm a little confused.

On the one hand, you're saying it must be hay, but then you're saying it must have green leaves on it. Shouldn't most types of hay (oustide of maybe alfalfa) be brown from being cut, turned, and dried prior to baling?

If I'm showing uninformed ignorance on the subject here, I apologize in advance.

 

[MaggieJ]

I think Frosted Rabbits is just making sure that you understand the difference between hay and straw. I'm sure you do.

 

[Devon's Mom Lauren]

This time of the year it will be hay.. straw is harvested nearer the fall after the oats have matured. Hay is cut green and dried and turned in the sun for about 3 days. If it doesn't rain, they hay should be green. Hay that has been rained on after it was cut and needed extra drying time will be brown or greenish-brown. Hay needs about 3 days of rain free days to cure. Apparently though there is some sort of conditioner/additive that some may use on the hay to keep it green and mold-free no matter what. I have no idea what this is but I think it does stir up controversy in the Horse circles over it.

 

[SatinsRule]

Man, I'll tell you what. The Tiff44 bermuda grass hay that's being offered in the state's largest newspaper right now is sounding better and better all the time!