Orchard grass hay

[fuzzy9]

I'm in a situation I didn't think I would be in, I'm running out of hay! We always have enough, more than enough, and this spring, with the lack of rain, the horse pasture is just not growing. We have had to feed the horses way more hay than normal. I've got 5 bales left for the horses, and rabbits, so finding some is a must. Thank goodness I only have a couple ponies! On top of that, our supplier informed us that they are not making small bales this year, and I have no way to deal with round bales.

I found some advertised that is 3rd crop orchard grass, and alfalfa mix. It says it's 19% protein, and R.F.V. 121. What is R.F.V?

I've never fed orchard grass............will they like it? I'm thinking strictly for the rabbits. The ponies don't need alfalfa that's 19% protein! opcorn:

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

my rabbits like orchard grass,
RFV is Relative Feed value: http://beef.unl.edu/learning/feedanalysis.shtml

This is probablybetter: http://www.caes.uga.edu/commodities/fie ... uality.pdf

 

[fuzzy9]

If I'm understanding this correctly, for alfalfa you want a higher RFV, the higher the number, the more nutritious, and less mature, correct? But since this is a orchard/alfalfa mix, would this make this hay any better?

I have to make quite a drive to get this, and it's $4 a bale, so I want to be sure it's worth it to go.

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

the RFV has to do with the ratio between protein, and Dry Matter. So, with 19% protein, and the RFV being higher than 100, it is a fairly decent mix, especially for rabbits.
You will still want to check the quality of each bale as you pick it up-- stick your hand inside- make sure it is not warm or damp. No sour smells, no 'white webbing' in the bale. Third cuttings here ar normally 'hurry up' cuttings-- trying to beat a rain storm or a frost-so do be careful.

 

[Lastfling]

I feed my rabbits orchard grass and they like it also.

 

[SarahMelisse]

Orchard grass is all that's available here so that's all my rabbits eat and they seem to do just fine. I have angoras so they are free-fed orchard grass. They all go through a big handful a day and love it. Mine doesn't have alfalfa in it though...

 

[MamaSheepdog]

If I could buy hay for $4 a bale, I think we would sell all of our furniture and buy slip covers... "Why, MSD, what a lovely couch you have... but it is a tad prickly to sit upon. And your goats are eating it..."

 

[fuzzy9]

I know, I know, MSD! :lol: I feel bad complaining about $4 a bale, but that's really high priced here in our area. :shock:

I decided not to go for it. I'm not sure if it was Dave gasping for air, and then rolling his eyes at me..........or my fear of driving an hour, only to see dusty moldy stemmy alfalfa. An add came up today for some regular grassy hay closer to us, for $2.50 a bale, and we decided to go for that. It's fine for the ponies, and I'll keep the 5 bales we have left of our other stuff for the rabbits. I like it when things work out!