Switching type of hay?

[macksmom98]

I found a bale of Bermuda grass hay at my local tractor supply for $10, and Timothy hay in a bag for $7.99. I have been using a grass hay from by dad's farm in CO. Will the Bermuda hay be ok for our 18 4-week old kits? What do ya all think?

 

[wamplercathy]

I wouldn't see it causing any harm. I change mine sometimes. Bought some from UPCO for $5.25 a square bale. but when I ran low a friend gave me 2 bales of grass/alfalfa. The rabbits don't seem to like it as much as the UPCO stuff. But free can't be beat. :lol: :lol:

 

[Miss M]

Any horse-type grass hay is good for rabbits, as long as it has been kept sheltered (none of those round bales you sometimes see sitting in the weather). Bahia, Bermuda, Timothy... it's all fine, for kits and seniors. And you do not have to transition from one hay to another.

Alfalfa is a legume, and is a primary component of most rabbit feeds. It can be grown without a lot in the way of pesticides only way up north, and I understand there is Roundup-ready alfalfa, too (which, if it's Roundup-ready, it's probably been sprayed with Roundup). So you just have to know your source.

 

[michaels4gardens]

JMHO,
I fed Coastal Bermuda hay when I lived in Florida, [I also fed perennial Peanut] it was just fine. as mentioned above-- it must be good hay, and smell like good hay, - if it is discolored, or "dusty" when pulled apart it is not good... I liked "Coastal" because of the price, it could be used in nest boxes, as well in the hay mangers. As long as I was not changing the pellet the rabbits were eating at the same time I was changing the hay-- I had no rabbit problems from changing the type of grass hay they were fed. --[ if changing from feeding grass hay to alfalfa, or Perennial Peanut, I would make the change gradually].
[ This comment is based on the assumption that you are feeding pellets as the primary feed, and the hay as an add-on feed.]

 

[macksmom98]

I have been free feeding everyone as much as they want. They are nursing moms and 4 week old kits. So they choose what is their primary food source....