Understanding Is Key to Feeding Hay
Hay plays a significant role in your rabbit’s digestive process and also in the proper wearing of teeth. However, some rabbits seem finicky about or disinterested in hay, which caregivers may incorrectly attribute to hay quality.
Concerns about such things as brown strands or first or second cutting may actually prevent a caregiver from providing good hay for a rabbit. Production of a quality crop is affected by many factors, including:
- proper seed variety for locale
- soil conditions
- density of planting
- time of planting
- harvesting and drying
- transport and storage.
Generally, “brown” hay results from rapid growth at the start of the growing season. Ideal rainfall amounts, available soil nutrients, and perfect sunshine combine to produce lush plants, so bushy that parts are shaded; the lack of photosynthesis in all leaves results in less green. Though most hay crops contain some brown, the hay is generally palatable to rabbits. My Dutch bunny, Munch, devours hay with a multitude of brown shades because it still contains nutrients, minerals, and moisture.
Hay stored in a cool, dry location retains fiber content almost indefinitely and palatability from twelve to eighteen months. Note that improper storage affects color, texture, and aroma as it allows for other things to thrive in the hay (e.g., insects and mold).
More important than the color or texture of hay is the amount your bunny is eating. Each day, a rabbit should consume a minimum of his or her shape and height in hay, and preferably double or even more than that amount.
Sometimes the difference between the stems, leaves, and seed heads is obvious. But many times stems and leaves look nearly the same, making it difficult for caregivers to detect the difference – but you can bet your rabbit knows!
Don’t let your bunny dictate what parts of the hay will be eaten, as that can negatively affect good health (as well as your purse). Sometimes the difference between the stems, leaves, and seed heads is obvious. But many times stems and leaves look nearly the same, making it difficult for caregivers to detect the difference – but you can bet your rabbit knows! If leftover hay is removed on a daily basis, a bunny is allowed to eat only what is most palatable, but not necessarily that which contains the most fiber. Instead of removing all leftover hay, which encourages pickiness, throw out the hay that is soiled with urine.
Companion rabbits remain healthiest when they consume unlimited amounts of grass hay (e.g., timothy, orchard, oat, and brome). Patiently and consistently work to get your rabbit to accept and consume what is offered. Here are some tips:
- Obtain new hay before the current supply is gone
- Mix new hay with the previous hay
- Offer more than one type to familiarize your bunny with a variety of tastes, textures, and crop variability – then he or she will not be negatively impacted if a crop is destroyed by drought or something else.
Use hay to enrich and add interest to your rabbit’s life and to provide activity. Mix grass hay types, present it in various containers, braid and/or knot it together, hide healthy treats inside, or sprinkle in some dried cooking herbs. More infrequently, offer cubes or short mixed hay pieces, remembering that long stems are the most fibrous, which is so important for the digestive rhythm.
This article was first published in Issue 9, Autumn/Winter 2009/10, of Bunny Mad (“The magazine for bunny mad people!”), a United Kingdom publication. www.bunnycreations.co.uk. Used with permission.
© 2009 Pam Orr and Marie Grosshuesch