Here at Hobby Farm Heaven we live in farmingn country, so we are surrounded by hay fields. Hay is a big deal around here, with farmers taking several cuttings of hay off their fields each year.
This comes in handy as we feed hay to our rabbits. We have noted that different hay vary in quality, nutrients and palatability. This depends on when it was harvested, early summer or late fall! In this post, we will cover the differences in the seasonal cuttings of hay and discuss which cut of hay is best for rabbits.
Generally speaking, the 2nd cut of hay is usually the best choice for most adult rabbits. This is because it usually has the best balance of nutrients such as fiber, protein, calcium and fat, along with palatability. Note that the 3rd cut of hay is typically higher in fat, while the 1st cutting is usually a bit lean, or light on the nutrients and heavy on water content.
However, without doubt ALL three cuts of hay are safe for most rabbits!
Hay is a religion and sustainable grass farmers are actually dirt farmers!
Read on to learn more!
What Cut Of Hay Is Best For Rabbits?
In answering which cut of hay is best for rabbits, we say 2nd cut is best and here is why.
2nd Cut Hay for Rabbits
- 2nd cut hay is the farmer’s second cutting of grass to make hay
- It has more leaves and the stems are not as long as in the 1st cut
- 2nd cut hay has a nice balance of higher protein, higher fat and lower fiber
- The starches and sugars that also make the hay very palatable for rabbits tend to gather in the leaves vice the stems.
Re-growing for 2nd Cut of Hay for Bunnies
After the 1st cut, it usually takes 40 to 60 days to regrow hay for the 2nd cut of the season. Of course this varies by regional climate, soil conditions, type of hay being grown and experienced weather conditions.
1st Cut Hay For Rabbits
1st cut hay is the farmer’s first cutting of grass to make hay from the field. It is more stem than leaf and the stems are a tad thin because the grass is jumping up after being dormant for winter. In addition, 1st cut hay tends to be a tad higher in fiber and a bit lower in fat and protein.
Furthermore, 1st cut hay is harvested when the hay is a bit immature (before it has bloomed). Some rabbits find 1st cut hay very palatable because it is cut before the stems can fully mature and become thicker and more course.
This combination of characteristics makes 1st cut hay a good option for an overweight rabbit. However, if your rabbit is healthy and not overweight, then 1st cutting is not the best cut for your rabbit.
3rd Cut Hay For Rabbits
3rd cut hay is even more leafy and often softer than 2nd cut. It is known for having the highest fat and protein, and the lowest fiber. Some argue that there is not enough fiber in the 3rd cutting of hay for rabbits. As such, many rabbit owners mix 3rd cutting with other hay cuttings as they feed it to their rabbits. We’ve noted that a 3rd cut hay, with all its fats and protiens, can help a skinny rabbit gain weight!
What Is The Best Cut Of Timothy Hay For Rabbits?
As noted, 2nd cut timothy hay for rabbits is best for healthy adult bunnies. Further, many people argue that timothy hay itself is the best hay for rabbits. As we noted in our post Orchard Hay vs Timothy Hay For Rabbits, orchard grass hay and meadow hay can also be very good for your rabbits.
Additionally, Alfalfa hay has its special and very beneficial application for pregnant and nursing mother rabbits as well as newly weaned bunnies through to 7 months of age.
Our recommendation is that you feed a variety of types of hay and a variety of cuttings. A diversity of hay is good for your rabbits and helps keep their diets pleasing and interesting for them without large variations that will upset their sensitive digestive systems.
What Is The Difference Between 1st, 2nd & 3rd Cut Hay?
Here is a nice table that shows the primary differences between 1st 2nd and 3rd cut hay.
| Hay Table | 1st Cut | 2nd Cut | 3rd Cut |
| Protein | Least | Middle | Highest |
| Fat | Least | Middle | Highest |
| Fiber | Highest | Middle | Lowest |
| Leaf | Least | Middle | Most |
| Stem | Long & Thin | Middle | Shortest |
| Color | Lightest Tan/Green | Middle Tan/Green | Darkest Tan/Green |
Is 1st Cut or 2nd Cut Hay Better For Rabbits?
Both 1st cut and 2nd cut hay are safe and good for your healthy adult rabbits. As discussed, 1st cut hay is more stem and less leafy than 2nd cut. It also tends to be a bit higher in fiber and lower in fat and protein. This combination makes it a nice hay for the rabbit that is overweight.
Additionally, a rabbit that seems to have loose droppings and may benefit from the extra fiber in 1st cut hay. Alternatively, 2nd cut hay has a nice blend of higher fat, higher protein, and lower fiber. It is more leafy and stems are not as long. 2nd cut hay seems to be enjoyable and palatable to most adult rabbits; our mature rabbits sure love it!
How Is Rabbit Hay Made?
Hay is made from tall seasonal grasses that are cut close to the ground and allowed to lay in the sun. While a sickle bar does not crimp the stems, many disc mowers also crimp the stems of the hay as they cut close to the ground.
This crimping, or conditioning, cracks the stems and helps them dry more thoroughly for better long term storage and less chance of major mold development. Then, after sitting for at least several hours, the cut grass is fluffed up into windrows with a hay rake. The Fluffing or tethering helps separate clumps of cut grass and helps the grass continue to properly dry and cure.
After sitting in the sun for at least several more hours, the hay is then bailed with a machine bailer. Some balers make small square bales, some make large square bales and some make large round bales.
Quick Note: some of the Amish that live up the valley from Hobby Farm Heaven still store their hay by making hay stacks!
Best Cut Of Hay For Baby Rabbits
Baby rabbits still nursing on their mothers do not need hay.
However, as they begin to wean from their mother’s milk they will begin to eat what they can find. So, providing them with some 3rd cut hay (more protein and fat) is a good idea. Ideally, you have some alfalfa hay for the weanlings and young rabbits. The extra protein, calcium and fat found in Alfalfa hay are important for young rabbits who are busy growing bone, muscle and other important tissues.
As the young rabbits approach about 5 months of age you can begin to mix in other less rich hays such as timothy, orchard grass, and meadow. The goal is to transition your young rabbits to the less rich hays by about 7 months old.
Hay Hygiene For Rabbits
Regardless of which cutting of hay we are discussing, keeping your hay clean for your rabbits is a top priority!
Rabbits should not, and should not need to, eat hay that they have trampled on, as it can be dirty. This is why we recommend the use of a hay feeder that is fairly low to the ground but not touching the ground.
A properly designed hay feeder does not discourage rabbits from eating hay, does not make them work hard to get the hay… but, it does keep the hay cleaner and reduces wastage. You paid good money for the hay or you purchased it with sweat equity as you harvested it – hay is rabbit currency!
How Long Does Rabbit Hay Last?
Hay can last quite a while, some say years, as long as it is kept dry and pest free. More reasonably, a good rule of thumb is that hay will last a year if it is properly stored. But note that hay will lose nutritional value over time.
How To Store Hay For Rabbits
If not in a climate controlled setting (shed, garage, stacked outside near hutches), then hey needs to be:
- Off of the ground: Not directly on the ground; perhaps on a pallet
- Covered: perhaps under a shed roof and large waterproof tarp that protects it from storm and driving precipitation
- Dry Location: Place the hay in a dry location; humidity is not a friend of hay
If inside your home (climate controlled), then we assume fairly low humidity and (initially) pest free conditions. You can store your hay in a bag or a tote in a closet or pantry. If storing your hay indoors, then please remember that some pests may be traveling in your hay and get into your indoor storage area.
Allergic to Hay? Hypoallergenic Hay?
Our good friends at Magic Happens Rabbit Rescue tell us that timothy hay is one of the most allergenic hays, because it produces and releases pollen throughout the entire growing season.
The wind-borne pollen produced by the various feed grasses such as timothy, orchard, meadow, etc. aggravate many people who have allergies. If you or your children are allergic to hay or the pollens in hay, then you can try using another hay such as orchard grass hay, meadow hay, oat hay or Bermuda grass hay.
Many people with hay allergies seem to do a little better around orchard grass hay or oat hay. Additionally, you can brush your rabbit frequently (outdoors). Brushing the pollen off of your rabbits fur is most effective if there is also a bit of a breeze!
Another strategy, for when there is no breeze, is to wipe down your rabbit (outdoors) with a damp cloth. The pollen on your rabbit’s coat will “stick” to the damp cloth. And if you use a bedding for your bunnies, then another tip is to use an non- hay, non-straw alternative bedding.
Learning About Hay for Rabbits
Spending some time with Joel Salatin and his son Daniel Salatin, at Polyface Farm in Swope, VA, was a great and worthwhile experience for me. I learned quite a bit about hay and the different cuttings of hay. Daniel Salatin was actually the rabbit keeper in the family, starting with rabbits as a young boy.
My further self-study in hay includes several years of reading Acres, USA where I learned that to be a sustainable grass farmer you are actually a dirt farmer – let that one sink in for a moment.
Further, I spent many hours with my nose in the pages of the Stockman Grass Farmer (SGF), of which Joal is an editor. Additionally, my two favorite hobby farm and homesteading books are by Joel Salatin:
- You Can Farm: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Start & Succeed in a Farming (1998)
- Family Friendly Farming: A Multi-Generational Home-Based Business Testament (2001)
I can’t say enough about these resources! They are great for any homesteader, hobby farmer, or animal lover as these books cover a broad range of family farm, hobby farm, and homesteading activities.
Note: The Stockman Grass Farmer is not about rabbits. Its mission is to educate people about regenerative farming with a keen focus on raising cattle. This means sustainable grass farming of many different kinds. Nonetheless, it taught me a great deal about hay for rabbits!
Acres USA is another quality publication with an eco-environmental focus on raising cattle; it also taught me a great deal about grass farming (and dirt farming) and hay for bunnies.
Forage Quality Evaluation and Utilization
The balance of nutritional value of seasonal grasses generally peaks near the middle of the growing season and then declines throughout the remainder of the growing season. When to cut hay during the growing season, meaning at what stage of growth and maturity the grass is cut for hay, plays a large role in the quality, palatability and digestibility of the hay.
I remember Joel Salatin speaking about lignin, the indigestible part of the fiber in hay. Joel explained that when grass matures the lignin content increases as the nutritional value decreases. Any grass that is left growing for too long before being cut for hay will have a relatively high lignin value and that hay will be less palatable and less digestible for animals.
Additionally, the hay’s nutritional value will have reduced as the lignin value increased. Such hay is said to be too mature, it was left too long before being cut for forage. I also remember Joel teaching about brix level, soil pH level, etc… All of these items affect hay nutrition and palatability.
Brix is a measure of water soluble sugar. It is used in determining the quality of wine, honey, and in grasses used for hay and forage. This Mississippi State University Extension Service article notes that grasses with a higher brix level typically contain more sugar, protein and minerals.
Brix measurement ranges from 0 to 32%. A measure of 3-4 means a plant is sick (our equivalent of malnourished) , while a measure of 18-20 means the plant is healthy and well fed.
Here’s another article about Brix, by Will Winter DVM, writing at Grass Farmers Supply (Good to see that Dr. Winter is still writing and spreading his knowledge). Dr. Winter explains that,
“That test (for nutrient density) is called the BRIX TEST, and it involves testing the internal sap from any plant leaf, fruit, vegetable or stem. The juice of a plant is the plant kingdom’s equivalent of our blood. If our blood is thin, watery and translucent, that is a very bad sign. Same with plant sap. The Brix test measures the viscosity or thickness of the plant sap, it’s as simple as that.”
Dr. Winter continues and explains that brix is a measure of the sugar in the “sap”, and that,
“Sugar is also the building block for all the “plant medicines”. These are the so-called “secondary plant metabolites”, mostly polyphenolic compounds that keep the plant strong and healthy (and which will keep us healthy when we eat a plant rich in these nutrients!). Polyphenolic compounds act as antioxidants, antibiotics, vaccines, wormers and immune tonics. Therefore, they prevent the need for additional medicines or crutches to keep animals strong, healthy, growing and disease-free.”
Dr. Winter futher explains that,
“The ideal time to test forage plants is just before they are grazed or harvested. Plant nutrients, again based on sugar production, is going to be the absolute highest in the late afternoon. This is the best time to move cattle to new pasture, and the best time to cut hay. This is because the chlorophyll in plants enables them to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) and water into the long-chain hydrocarbon sugar. In the early morning, or on cloudy days, the plants are not making much sugar so that is a low-energy time. At night, when the entire plant is filled with nutrition, it sends the sugar down to the roots where it is stored and where the conversion to plant medicines takes place.”
The fact that the nutrients flow up and down the stem of the grass and nutrient value can change from hour to hour is tremendously intriguing to me. Now realize that Brix is just one measure, one tool in the tool belt, for determining the quality of forage that you ultimately feed your rabbits and other hobby farm animals.
If you choose to learn more about brix, then you will also find competent people who do not put too much stock in the Brix measure.
Types and Cuttings of Hay For Rabbits
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Evan at Country View Acres made a great video about 3rd cutting of hay on his small farm.
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Frequently Asked Questions Related To Which Cut Of Hay Is Best For Rabbits
Is Third Cutting Hay Good For Rabbits?
Third cut hay may be a bit rich for most rabbits. If you have a bunny who is a picky eater that and therefore a bit underweight, then 3rd cut hay may be a good fit.
3rd cut hay is leafy, softer and often smells the most like grass – it smells wonderful, and most rabbits will happily eat it. But because it is less course, it may not wear down your bunnies teeth as much as is necessary. Mixing 3rd cut with other cuts is how we recommend using third cut hay for rabbits.
Where is Joel Salatin’s Farm?
Joel’s family farm, the famous Polyface Farm, is in Swope, Virginia, about 7.5 miles west of Staunton, Virginia and about a 2.5 hour drive southwest from Washington D.C. Route 81 is a major route that runs by Staunton, VA.
I remember Joel referring to the Shenandoah Valley as something along the lines of the great piedmont grasslands; as a tongue in cheek comparison to the great prairie grasslands that the buffalo roamed.
Final Thoughts on Which Cutting Of Hay Is Best For Rabbits
Most rabbit owners agree that 2nd cut timothy hay is the best all around hay for healthy adult rabbits, but we realize that feeding a variety of hay cuts to mature rabbit is a-okay, as long as 2nd cut is primarly.
Remember, the better you know your rabbits, the better you will be at tailoring what you feed them to meet their sometimes unique needs. Furthermore weaning baby rabbits and weaned young rabbits should receive unlimited quantities of quality alfalfa hay.
Finally, grass farming and soil farming are interesting sciences that we don’t often think about, and without doubt it is good to know where our food and our rabbit’s food comes from!
You want a chuckle? One of my favorite videos is the Joel Salatin Polyface Farm Video – that’s right! We originally had this film in VHS format (1990s) and then we upgraded to DVD in the (2000s) – Ha, Ha!