Switch? Timothy vs Orchard

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This topic has 8sd replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 3 months ago by LittlePuffyTail.

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- 01/06/2017 at 6:08 PM
  Luna
  Participant
  2219 posts
  Luna has always only been given Timothy hay, but I’ve been less and less impressed with the quality regardless of the distributor/brand. So I bought a bag of Orchard hay today instead, and the quality seems much better than the Timothy I’ve been getting, plus the cutting is similar to what she is used to. The fiber content is the same (32%), with only 0.5% more fat and 1% more fiber. Is it okay to switch Luna over to Orchard and not give her Timothy anymore? Or should Orchard hay only be given intermittently (in limited amounts like alfalfa)?
- 01/06/2017 at 6:28 PM
  Azerane
  Moderator
  4688 posts
  Orchard hay is perfectly fine to switch her over to completely Orchard is also a grass hay like timothy, either one can be used as a regular hay source. Alfalfa is the only sort of hay that should be limited or only given to rabbits when they are young as it is a legume, not a grass.
- 01/06/2017 at 10:59 PM
  Q8bunny
  Participant
  6345 posts
  I’ve noticed the same thing as you, Luna. The timothy has been stalky, pale, and chopped up like duck feed. The orchard has been green, leafy, and long. Infinitely better
- 01/07/2017 at 2:34 AM
  Bam
  Moderator
  16871 posts
  You can switch grass hays freely, i e without a transition-period. Orchard is just as good as timothy. Last year could have been a bad year for timothy.
- 01/07/2017 at 4:35 AM
  beebun
  Participant
  174 posts
  Sorry for piggybacking! I’m thinking of doing just the same, but since orchard is more leafy, i wonder if Timothy has more crude fiber? Stalks and all.. Or it should be the same regardless?
- 01/07/2017 at 4:39 AM
  Q8bunny
  Participant
  6345 posts
  It really depends on the harvest and the cutting. Regardless, my bun rarely touches a stalk, so there’s less waste if I buy leafier bags
- 01/07/2017 at 4:44 AM
  beebun
  Participant
  174 posts
  I see! Thanks, q8! :>
- 01/07/2017 at 11:17 AM
  Luna
  Participant
  2219 posts
  Thanks for your input everyone!
  Bam – Yeah it’s looking like last year’s might be not as great as the year before. Or I could’ve just had bad luck lately.
  Q8 – Definitely! Plus there was barely any chaff at the bottom of the Orchard bag.
- 01/08/2017 at 4:45 PM
  LittlePuffyTail
  Moderator
  18092 posts
  My buns only eat Orchard. They much prefer it and won’t even touch Timothy now.
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