Orchard Grass/Clover Hay

[tanlover14]

Is Orchard Grass mixed with clover hay okay to feed the buns on a long-term basis?  Our local rescue had told me that clover would be fine for them… but then I was randomly reading this article and saw in the “Hay” section, Krempels said clover should be treated the same as alfalfa.  

 

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/diet.html

[Roberta]

Availability dictates that the main hay here is oaten/barley… Our meadow grass is a bit of a mystery but usually in spring it has clover crumbles through it. More recently I have been feeding Vetafarm Fescue minibales (we had a hay mite crisis again and I could only get bales and no meadow at all) The oaten I feed as the primary hay with a daily small share of the fescue or meadow… it seems to be fine for them and all the nutritional notes indicate it’s OK for adult buns.

[Dobby]

I bought some timothy mixed with clover when Pip wasn’t eating much hay. Of course Dobby got some too and he loved it. And he loved it a little too much, I think. He started gaining weight from it! Nothing else in his diet changed so I am practically positive it was the hay. I still have some but now I put it out more as the occasional treat and they both eat it up.

Of course, one anecdote doesn’t prove anything, but I will probably be steering clear from it in the future.

[tanlover14]

I am worried about the weight gain from the clover, as that’s what I took from Dana Krempels article. That it was similar in regards to protein and calcium. Calcium has never bothered my rabbits so I haven’t had to worry about that but I do worry about it being one of those hays that causes weight gain.

[Roberta]

I find most of the clover crumbles fall to the bottom of the bag so you can control exactly how much they get mixed in with the primary hay.

[Sarita]

Usually with the clover hay (that I’ve gotten in the past) it’s just clover mixed in with the hay – kind of like treats.

[jerseygirl]

With your high energy tans and 2 long furred buns, I wonder if they would do fine with little extra protein? How much percentage wise do you estimate is clover?

Keeping an eye on the poop will tell you if it’s too much for them. ie. mushy poop.
The other thing you’d have to watch is that no bunny is selecting out the clover only and eating less orchard.

[tanlover14]

I see your points. Hmm… Is there much difference than the Orchard Grass being mixed with alfalfa then? Like could either or work as long as it’s not full alfalfa.

Just wondering as I’m trying to access all my options. Timothy here is abundant but I really have to search for the Orchard Grass and with the boyfriend being so darn allergic to the Timothy I have no choice! Just seeing what I can get how close.

I will have to call back and ask the farmer if he has any idea how much percentage wise is what. I DO worry about them picking it out.

[jerseygirl]

Heres a chart that *might* help answer your question about clover vs alfalfa.
http://www.guinealynx.info/hay_chart.html

Is it sold as a mix or just orchard grass that happens to have some clover in it?

Do you know what cut it is?
I think it’s 1st cut hay that can have a mix if the previous seasons crop in it.

My current oaten hay has Lucerne (alfalfa) through it so i suspect it was from the first lot baled last season. It was also from bottom the stockpile. The other bales I’d bought from same place during the year werent like it.
Goose has been sneezing a bit around it too so I think it’s more dusty.

@Roberta, youve mentioned times there’s been hay mite. I’m sure I read somewhere that “freezing” hay for short period dealt with hay mite. Would that be possible to do if you found yourself with some affected hay?
We’ve had new season oaten available some at places for only $7 a bale. I’d organise to send you some if cost effective!

[Author]

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