Table of Contents
Which is better first cut or second cut hay?
Hay is often cut three or more times each season. The first cutting in any cut will have thicker stems, perhaps have flowers (usually called tassel), and is the highest in fiber of any cut. The second cutting is softer, greener, has a higher protein but lower fiber than first cutting.
What type of hay has the most sugar?
Oat hay tends to be higher in nitrates and also high in sugar (NSC), so this hay is not an option for insulin resistant horses. Here's a comparison chart so you can see the differences between alfalfa hay, timothy (grass) hay and oat hay.
What type of hay has the least amount of sugar?
Low sugar hay is extremely important in a horse's diet due to its health properties and the enormous benefits it can offer. While lucerne usually has lower sugar than a lot of grass hays, it more often than not tests HIGHER in sugar, starch & protein compared to our Low Sugar Hay.
Which cutting of hay is the best?
Timothy Hay
The first cutting usually has a higher weed content, and quality decreases after the second cutting, so the second cutting is usually the best to feed.
Is first cut or second cut timothy hay better for rabbits?
Premium 2nd cut Timothy hay is preferred by most grass eating small animals (Bunnies, Rabbits, Chinchillas, Gerbils, Hamsters, Mice, Rats, and Tortoises). 2nd cutting is called “second” because it is the hay that is harvested after the 1st cutting.
When should I cut my first hay?
Therefore, the best time to do any cutting is when grasses have reached what is called the “late boot stage”. This stage is typically reached after 6 to 8 weeks of growth in the spring or 6 to 8 weeks after a previous cutting. The “late boot stage” is when the seed head of the grasses first pops out of the sheath.
What horse hay is low in sugar?
If you are looking for low-sugar hay for a metabolic horse, it's all about how the hay is grown and managed. Teff can be as low as 5% sugar and the only other hay that's this low in sugar is bluegrass straw—which is also used a lot for metabolic horses."
Does long grass have less sugar?
Most of the nutritional value is in the blade of the grass. Long grass contains less leaf material and therefore less nutritional value. Long grass also contains less sugar than short grass. Therefore, be careful with horses that are sensitive to laminitis, summer tickling or insulin resistance on short grass.
Does alfalfa hay have high sugar?
Alfalfa Has Low Starch and Sugar Content
When oil is added as a coating to alfalfa, sugar levels are typically less than 5%. Feeds are rarely (if ever) sugar free, as even straw contains some sugar, but the low-sugar and starch content does highlight the alfalfa health benefits for your horse.
Is Timothy hay low in sugar?
Timothy hay is considered a medium sugar hay. This warm-season grass measures at the low end of the normal range for ethanol soluble carbohydrates, measuring between 4.7 percent and 10.9 percent.
Does soaking hay remove sugar?
In addition to removing sugars, soaking also reduces some minerals. Crude protein, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium concentrations all decrease with soaking. However, certain horses might benefit from the loss of specific nutrients.
Is 3 year old hay still good?
Consider these points: If the hay was of good-quality when harvested and stored in a dry place with sufficient airflow, hay is likely suitable for consumption for two to three years. Keep in mind that hay, even premium forage, loses much of its vitamin content in the first few months of storage.
Does grass have more sugar than hay?
Although alfalfa hay is higher in total energy content than grass hays, most of the energy is from protein and fiber. Grasses growing in cooler weather in general accumulate more sugars because they respire less.
How long does a bale of hay last for one horse?
In general, a standard 40 lb. square bale of hay lasts one horse for about 3.5 days. But many factors such as age, workload, type of hay, and access to pasture grass affect how much they eat. I find most horses eat between 10-15 pounds of hay each day.
Which cutting of alfalfa is best?
The optimal compromise for higher forage quality and dry matter yield of alfalfa is to harvest the first cutting at the late-bud to first-flower stage and to make subsequent cuttings at 32-to-35 day intervals until late August or early-September, often referred to as a "4 summer-cut system."
Is second or third cut hay better?
To begin with, 1st cutting is the first hay cut from that field for the year. It tends to be more coarse and have more grasses in it. 2nd cutting is usually greener in color and has a sweeter smell. And lastly, 3rd cutting is very thick and rich.
Is orchard grass or timothy hay better for rabbits?
Oxbow Western Timothy Hay is high in fibre, low in protein and calcium and is a good, basic grass hay with high quality nutrition. Orchard grass is another cool-season grass; it grows in tufts and is more drought tolerant than Timothy hay. Orchard grass has a soft texture and is high in fibre and low in protein.
Is alfalfa or timothy hay better for rabbits?
When looking at which type of hay to feed a rabbit or guinea pig, Timothy hay and Meadow hay are often considered the better and healthier options. Alfalfa is known as a great hay for baby rabbits, as it contains higher calcium and protein levels to help support healthy growth and development.
Is first cut hay good for goats?
Since most goats prefer the second cut to first cut hay this will encourage them to eat more and help them to establish a better weight. More often than not most meat goats will thrive on first cut hay as long as the quality is good and the nutrients are intact.
How soon can you bale hay after cutting?
Subject: RE: How long does your hay lay to bale dry? Cut first thing in the morning, ted about 2-4 hours later, do nothing the next day, rake as soon as dew is off (-48 hours after cutting), let dry about 3 hours, and bale. Sometime takes an extra day to dry or occasionally a day less if perfect weather.
How many times can you cut hay a year?
In most areas of the country, grass hay can be cut twice, sometimes three times, per year. The first cutting generally has the largest yield.
Is fescue hay low in sugar?
Most cool-season grasses, like orchardgrass and fescue, can have high sugar content. Timothy and crested wheatgrass tend to be medium in sugar content, as are most warm season (native) grasses.
What’s the best hay for horses?
Best Hay Types for Horses
How do you test hay for sugar content?
The two most common methods for measuring the sugar content of hay and pasture are the ethanol soluble carbohydrate (ESC) and the water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) methods. ESC: captures monosaccharaides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and a small fraction of fructans.
What time of day is the sugar content highest in grass?
Sugar content of grasses is higher in the afternoon than in the morning and sugar content is lowest at night, so grazing should be restricted to the safest times of the day to graze, early morning and night times.
When should I graze my Laminitic horse?
The ideal time for grazing laminitic-susceptible horses is early morning before dawn to around mid-morning 9-10 am.