Over the years I’ve talked about rabbit care and how to feed rabbits for their overall health and longevity with many new rabbit owners. And one of the most often “Ah-ha” moments for new rabbit owners is when they realize that they should be feeding their rabbits hay not fresh green grass. I always like seeing the “ah-ha” moments in people, and I like experiencing them myself. They make me feel alive and tell me that I’m learning on the journey of raising rabbits!
Realizing that most of our rabbits will be eating hay, not grass, for most if not all of the year makes us focus on which hay is better for rabbits, Timothy hay vs Orchard Grass For Rabbits.
Key Measures for Hay
Before we discuss more, lets first recognize the classic key measurements for hay, which are:
- % Protein
- % Fiber
- % Calcium.
Orchard Grass vs Timothy Hay For Rabbits – Table of Nutrients
Now that we know the key measurements, we can look at a table of nutrients for the most popular rabbit hays. This table was adapted from House Rabbit Society – Grass Hay For Rabbits.
| Hay | % Protein | % Fiber | % Calcium |
| Alfalfa | 15.3 | 27 | 1.4 |
| Barley | 4.0 | 38 | 0.3 |
| Meadow | 7 | 33 | 0.6 |
| Oat | 7.3 | 29.5 | 0.3 |
| Orchard | 9.8 | 30 | 0.3 |
| Rye | 7.4 | 26 | 0.5 |
| Timothy | 6.3 | 30.2 | 0.5 |
| Wheat | 7.4 | 25 | 0.2 |
Relative outliers in this table include:
- Alfalfa hay for high its relatively high protein and calcium.
- Barley and Meadow hay stand out for their relatively high fiber content. Fiber is very important for rabbits. It is a primary ingredient that keeps the adult rabbit’s digestive system healthy and working properly.
Check this out: according to nutrition, Orchard Hay and Timothy Hay are pretty similar!
Orchard Hay vs Timothy Hay – Calcium Levels
One could argue that Timothy hay has 66% more calcium than Orchard grass hay. This can be beneficial for pregnant and nursing does, as they are healthier and stronger when they have a higher source calcium. However, and for adult male rabbits this high calcium seems to be a strike against timothy hay.
But the truth is: even the timothy hay calcium level is still small enough for it not to be much of a concern.
Timothy Hay vs Orchard Grass For Rabbits – Protein Levels
Additionally, we see that Orchard Hay has 56% more protein per unit weight than Timothy Hay, and for adult rabbits, this may be another strike against timothy hay. However, even the orchard hay protein level of 9.8% is a bit low.
Science has shown that pregnant and nursing Does, and their kits, do better when the Doe has access to feeds that provide her with about a 16% protein level. Nursing Rabbit Does and Protein. Similarly, bunnies weaning bunnies, at about seven weeks, through to six months of age need high protein and high
Truth is: most owners will augment any hay, except perhaps for alfalfa hay, with some quality rabbit pellets. A quality rabbit pellet is especially formulated to ensure that the rabbits are getting the right level of protein, vitamins, minerals and trace nutrients for health and longevity.
Orchard Hay vs Timothy Hay
When considering fiber content, the orchard hay and the timothy hay both score well as the difference between the two is very small. Remember, fiber in hay is a key element for the rabbi! Here is a list of the benefits of fiber.
- Fiber is what keeps the rabbit’s digestive system active, healthy and operating properly.
- Fiber is what pushes indigestible items, such as hair from grooming, through the digestive tract.
Fiber also helps keep the rabbit from experiencing Rabbit GI Stasis, which can result in the death of the rabbit. In addition, this article Rabbit Gastrointestinal Physiology states that, “Lack of fiber is the most common cause of gastrointestinal disturbance in the rabbit…. Breakdown of the normal physiological processes leads to disease.” (The article provides some great figures and schematic diagrams of the rabbit digestive system if you wanna take a look!).
Is Orchard Grass Hay Good For Rabbits?
Yes, orchard grass hay is good for rabbits. You should provide quality hay to your rabbits in unlimited quantities.
Is Timothy Hay Good For Rabbits?
Yes, timothy hay is good for rabbits. If timothy hay is your choice for your rabbits, then provide a quality timothy hay to them in unlimited quantities.
Is Orchard Grass vs Timothy Hay Better For Rabbits?
My advice is that either one works well. The important thing is to feed your rabbit plenty of a good quality hay!
So if you live in an area where hay is made, then look around and see what the local farmers have to offer. Like me, you may find some significant variability in one farmer’s orchard hay compared to another farmer’s orchard hay; or one farmer’s timothy hay compared to another farmer’s timothy hay.
If you don’t live in an area that makes hay, then you are buying quality hay online. Affordability and shipping costs may be a concern.
Can Rabbits Live Off Just Hay?
It is feasible that rabbit may live off of just hay and water. The question may be for how long and with what level of stress and relative health. We have no doubt that the majority of rabbits will live a healthier and happier life if they are provided with a balanced diet of quality hay, augmented by quality rabbit pellets, and fresh, clean leafy green vegetables.
Here is a video covering Hay for Rabbits: Orchard hay, Timothy hay and other popular rabbbit hays.
Timothy Hay for Rabbit Teeth Long
Some experienced rabbit owners claim that timothy hay is a bit tougher and more course than orchard grass hay and is therefore better for wearing down the rabbit teeth that keep growing.
Thats right, rabbit teeth never stop growing throughout the rabbit’s life. As such, they need to be worn down. Sometimes, rabbit teeth clippers are used to shorten the teeth of a rabbit who’s teeth are growing too long, but a natural way to do it is to feed your rabbit course hay and raw materials to wear their teeth.
I personally have not noticed that timothy hay is more course or less course than orchard grass hay. What I have noticed is the variability in texture and quality of hay depending on where, and by who, it was grown and harvested. Quality and consistency of the hay may vary widely, depending on what farmer I buy the hay from.
We are in dairy country here in Franklin County, PA. So, I can buy quality hay from local farmers at a reasonable price. That said, I see plenty of variability in local grown and harvested orchard grass hay. I see the same level of variability local grown and harvested timothy hay.
But if you’re buying hay from a national supplier, from a local retailer or your local pet store, then you’ll find less variability and more consistency of quality in your hay. The same applies if you are buying a bale or bag of rabbit hay online and having it shipped to you.
The trade-off is that the hay purchased at a retail store will often cost significantly more than hay purchased from your local grass farmer.
We discuss rabbit teeth that never stop growing, how to get rabbit teeth trimmed or clipped, and much more about rabbits with teeth problems in Rabbits With Teeth Problems.
Final Thoughts on Orchard Hay vs Timothy Hay For Rabbits
As we’ve discussed, both Orchard hay and timothy hay are good choices for feeding your rabbits! And while there are some differences in protein, calcium, and fiber between the two options, they are both safe and effective in feeding healthy rabbits.
Remember that the your protein, calcium and fiber considerations about your rabbit should match the age and condition of the rabbit you are feeding!
Finally, it is important to realize that good quality hay is the primary driver of rabbit intestinal health. As such, never hesitate to offer unlimited quantities of quality hay to your rabbits!