Rye Grasses and Endophytes---

[Frosted Rabbits]

Okay, some of the seed I ordered, is Sucraseed Sweet Silage-- contains three ryes and a red clover.


Does anyone know-- do rabbits have issues with endophytes the way horses do? If so, I need to know. I did contact the seed company to see if the seeds are endophyte free-- if not, I need to write down how to handle the rye as if I was grazing a horse on it-- just in case...

This particular bag of seed is intended for fresh forage-- not hay making..

 

[Frecs]

If I'm reading the article on endophytes on Wikipedia correctly, yes, rabbits are also affected by it.

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

okay-- I was doing some more research early this morning-- and found that if the seeds are permitted to age 5-6 months-- the endophytes 'die off' resulting in an endophyte free forage..
I'll handle the forage as if it was affected, and take it from there-- an Alpaca site mentioned the specific areas of the plants that the endophytes call home== So I will make grazing cages with the 'floor' sufficiently high enough to keep them from eating too close to the plant base==

S o, Now I know about "rye staggers' And will also see about getting a product that can detox a digestive system if the endophytes are accidently ingested.