Hay vs Dried Grass

I have wondered for a while about this, so thought I would ask you guys :]
I feed excel pellets, and notice they say rabbits need a 'pellet' a 'forage' some 'treats' and water.
The bag states that either hay OR dry grass acts as forage, meaning that they dont need both...
I must say I guese this makes sense, as grass has surely got more nutrients in it than hay anyway, so therefore is better ???

So can I just feed dried grass eg. readigrass instead of feeding any hay [the farm hay around here isnt much cop!]


ALSO- Iv heard alot of bunny keepers/ breeders feed barley straw as a treat to their buns, I bought a bag the other day and I must say they LOVE it. Just thought id see what everyones veiws are on this?

Kate x

The fibers in hay are a must for rabbits.
Mine eat straw too, which I use for bedding in winter.

Daisy loves his Hay....but wont eat timothy hay (recommended everywhere you read)...he'll only eat the cheap stuff, weird.

But I will try some of the barley hay and see what he thinks....

Dried grass is much richer in nutrients but not necessarily in a good way! It is higher in protein and calcium than hay, protein can cause problems with sticky bottoms and excess ceacal production and excess calcium is usually excreted in the urine (that white chalky substance) but a build up can lead to bladder sludge and stones which need medical attention.

Hay should be a staple, dried grass should be a treat. Grass hay mixes like Excel Forage can be fed as hay, to the best of my knowledge.

Oh, and I use barley straw as a bedding throughout the hutches, can't say mine seem to eat it from what I have witnessed!

Hay is invaluable for teeth erosion too! Bertie gets a handful of fresh grass a day, & whatever bunny foliage I can find, as well as a mix of meadow & Excel herbage as well.