Rye Hay

Hello

I have a question about rye hay! I've found a supplier close by that stocks it in bales

Is it okay as a main hay for rabbits? I've heard mixed opinions.

I don't know about Rye hay ( Cheryl will know ) as we use farm hay as main hay else we did use ings hay but it's better for us with having so many bunnies to buy farm hay in bales and it's a lot cheaper, and then they have Alfalfa King Timothy hay from Pets at Home as a special treat hay.
http://www.petsathome.com/shop/timothy-hay-1.8kg-by-alfalfa-king-36642 ( we buy it when they have the two for one offer on )

We also usually buy treats hay's like the Burgess Excel Dandelion & Marigold Herbage and Burgess Excel Chamomile Herbage and give them all a little handfull on top of their main hay.

Timothy and Rye is good but I wouldn't give purely rye hay on it's own as it is extremely low in proteins.

I don't know about Rye hay ( Cheryl will know ) as we use farm hay as main hay else we did use ings hay but it's better for us with having so many bunnies to buy farm hay in bales and it's a lot cheaper, and then they have Alfalfa King Timothy hay from Pets at Home as a special treat hay.


We also usually buy treats hay's like the  Burgess Excel Dandelion & Marigold Herbage and  Burgess Excel Chamomile Herbage and give them all a little handfull on top of their main hay.

We use farm hay too, and this person that stocks rye hay is also a farmer!  The bunnies do like the one they have now but seeing as we get through so much of it (even with just 2 rabbits and 5 guinea pigs) I was looking for bales a little cheaper!

Timothy and Rye is good but I wouldn't give purely rye hay on it's own as it is extremely low in proteins.

Oh right, I didn't think too much protein was good for rabbits anyway!

As a rule it is not ideal for rabbits to be fed one type of hay. Meadow hay is ideal as it is lots of different types of grass all mixed up together. These different types of grass give the teeth a good work out. I feed mine ings hay (which is a type of meadow hay harvested from watermeadows) and timothy and rye mix hay. The ings is quite soft and the T&R is much coarser. I have also attempted to sow some rye in the garden by somebun keeps eating it!

Rabbits do need protein, but for the most part their needs will be met by pellets and other sources of food. Mine get a lot of protein from the clover that grows like mad in the garden.

Rye is also excellent for the digestive system being high in fibre.

As a rule it is not ideal for rabbits to be fed one type of hay. Meadow hay is ideal as it is lots of different types of grass all mixed up together. These different types of grass give the teeth a good work out. I feed mine ings hay (which is a type of meadow hay harvested from watermeadows) and timothy and rye mix hay. The ings is quite soft and the T&R is much coarser. I have also attempted to sow some rye in the garden by somebun keeps eating it!

Rabbits do need protein, but for the most part their needs will be met by pellets and other sources of food. Mine get a lot of protein from the clover that grows like mad in the garden.

Rye is also excellent for the digestive system being high in fibre.

Oh thank you for that

I will buy a bale of the rye hay then, and see how they get on with it - if I think more of a variety is needed then I'll start mixing it with some other types of hay's too!

My bunnies tend to prefer the courser, stalky hays and I believe this rye hay is just right!

If I'm right in thinking, I believe the supplier we've found stocks meadow hay aswell so I'm sure he'd be willing to mix my bale half and half.. We'll just have to see!

They are on allen and page pellets which are 23% fibre and 12% protein (I believe) so they are getting their essentials through their pellets too. We also have clover growing in our garden