orchard grass hay vs timothy

In cattle, goat, and sheep diets, orchard grass helps improve these animals body weight. Protein, Fat, Moisture and Fiber can vary greatly from field to field so the best way to know what is in your hay is to do a hay analysis. I don't know that "western" really means anything other than perhaps what region it's grown in? The fiber-enriched timothy hay is advantageous for the smooth digestive system of these small animals. The tall and unwanted straws of orchard grass can ruin the organized natural beauty of your lawn. Your email address will not be published. Orchard grass, in our experience, usually runs a bit higher on the protein scale than timothy. The strands of timothy grass can reach up to 60 inches, and the leaves can grow to 17 inches. Here is a glimpse of what orchard grass can offer. Orchard grass is a cool-season plant, and it is best to establish its seeds in early spring or late summer. Bucks can get by with 8% crude protein (60% TDN). But during times when goats cant browse,they must be fed. The simple solution is to choose late-maturing orchardgrass varieties, but this can be easier said than done. Orchard and timothy grass are two of the most popular types of grass. Timothy and Orchard Hay is an excellent choice for guinea pigs. For example, if a horse has only been given timothy hay, it might reject orchardgrass when first exposed to it, even though it is good quality. Hence, the traditional popularity of timothy hay and limited production may reduce its supply. These animals grow large grinding teeth throughout their lifespan. A balanced and consistent proportion of calcium to phosphorus nutrients is necessary for animal health. Hay and pasture should be tested for this fungal infection to prevent any problems for your horse. These two nutrients make up about 70% of the mineral content of the horses body. Teff, a new type of grass hay, is touted to be an ideal choice for many horses (see sidebar at right). There are some loose correlations between bermuda grass hay and colic. 0000016814 00000 n To come back year after year, it drops hundreds and hundreds of seeds into the soil. P.S. If you are feeding Orchard grass then I recommend that you feed a hard, high quality Timothy based pellet. We love feeding Chaffhaye to our kids, lactating and pregnant does. We hope that you have found our detailed blog on orchard grass vs. Timothy hay helpful and informative. Orchard grass is similar in starch levels to Timothy hay but can be significantly higher in ethanol soluble carbohydrate, measuring up to 20 percent. There are many different types of grass hay available, although the types of grass available will vary based on your geographic location. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. 3rd cut. However, because it becomes coarse and less palatable as it matures, it is best suited for pastures. It is relatively palatable to horses and has a fine texture. Orchard is grown natively and is what we feed to pregnant mares since our normal hay is fescue. Munching on timothy hay helps wear down these teeth, thus making them grow bigger and causing health issues. 50 Bales Available. Along with its appealing flavor profile, alfalfa contains more protein and calcium than grass hays like Timothy, Orchard, Oat, and others. For more information on goat nutrition, see:http://agecon.okstate.edu/meatgoat/files/Chapter%205.pdf. The resulting oat hay is high in protein and other nutrients, making it a nutritious option for horse hay. Sometimes it seems that horse people have as many opinions and feelings about feeding Grass versus feeding Alfalfa as there are horses in the world. Orchardgrass and timothy hay are both excellent, but orchard grass gets the nod as the best of the two. Cool ridge, West Virginia. Step-by-Step Horse Grooming: The Beginners Guide. Orchardgrass is comparatively more drought-tolerant than timothy hay, requiring moderate temperature and adequate water for growth. However,this protein intake must be increased gradually during pregnancy, not suddenly. 0000001676 00000 n Cereal Grain includes oat and barley. 11/14/2007 at 12:03 PM BB Administrator And copper deficiency (for which goats are especially prone) affects the coat and can also cause abortions, stillbirths, low milk supply, and weight loss. 0000003324 00000 n My name is Catherine, and I am here to help all equestrians live better with their horses as well as learn to be financially savvy. Timothy is on the left and orchard grass is on the right. - 0.7 - 1.0 Calcium - 0.34% Phosphorus - 0.23% Ca:P Ratio - 1.5:1 Oat Hay Similarly, a balanced amount of phosphorus is necessary for numerous cellular functions. It's nice to have the full sod too. Subscribe to Equinews and get the latest equine nutrition and health news delivered to your inbox. This grass is a tall-growing grass that can reach up to 19 to 47 inches in length, and the leaves can grow up to 8 inches. With three cuttings instead of two cuttings, Orchard Grass produces consistent soft texture hay that horses readily consume with minimal or no waste. Many of you will wonder, what type of hay is best for horses? As long as your rabbit(s) will eat it, any type of horse-quality (as opposed to cow-quality) grass hay is suitable for rabbits, though with "cereal" type hays like oat, wheat, rye, etc. Lots of leaves, protein, minerals and stems. I've yet to meet a horse with such a refined palate . Digestible Energy: 0.909 mcal/lb. Copyright 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 GuineaDad. All of these forages can be used success-fully for hay. Absolutely Orchard Grass only is absolutely okay - it is a grass hay just like the Timothy hay so it's perfectly fine. There's a field here that has been in smooth brome since dad started renting a nearby farm over thirty years ago. Alfalfa is the most common legume hay for horses. This hays inflorescence, or heads, are typically 3-6 inches long. Timothy and Orchard hay are both an exceptional hay to provide to guinea pigs. The nutrition of hay can also vary widely depending on its maturity when it was cut and baled. Alfalfa also has more calories per pound than timothy, so its generally the preferred choice of sport horse owners. It is rich in fiber, essential for horse health, and contains various vitamins and minerals. Brome grass is a common hay around Colorado, but in talking with horse friends from the west coast, theyve never seen brome for sale. Grass Hay can be timothy, orchard grass or other types of grass or broom grass. Therefore, its always a good idea to use these values as a general guide rather than an exact measure. A forum community dedicated to horse owners and enthusiasts. First-cut timothy hay is high in fiber with a coarse texture. 0000090939 00000 n Orchard grass is native to Europe, North Africa, and temperate regions of Asia. The color differences are obvious when you stack a bale of Alfalfa near grass hay. 8\lR1bgm!Wz1H2H}-YFFc U:@ 1F3}H8A1? How to Milk a Goat: Are You Hurting or Helping? It is one of the highest quality forage grasses. Alfalfa hay is one of the most common hays available in the US, making it a popular choice for forage for horses. 0000091007 00000 n Grass: Most commonly timothy, orchard, Kentucky bluegrass, bromegrass, and tall fescue. The answer is simple: To maximize the health of the animal. 0000004600 00000 n Caprinesneed roughagein the form ofabout two to four poundsof hay per day (3% to4% of body weight)for their rumens to function properly. Orchard grass is an excellent alternative for animals allergic to timothy hay as both have similar nutritional content. 0000003925 00000 n It is indeed Orchard grass hay, grown in Idaho, so maybe that's what they mean?The guys at the store were kinda jerky to me though so I'm not sure I'll go back to them. Legume includes alfalfa, clover, or soy. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. The two main types of hay for horses are grass hay and legume hay. If fed dry, pellets will add volume in the rumen as soon as they get in contact with the stomach fluids. Legume hay is more easily digested than grass hay, which can be a good or bad thing depending on the horse. This hay is high in protein, but lower in calcium than legume hay. You must log in or register to reply here. Oftentimes, the hay that a horse enjoys the most is the one they are most accustomed to. Grass hay may contain a blend of different grasses. Three common types of hay are Timothy, Bermudagrass, and Alfalfa, and each has its own unique characteristics. The flowering season of orchard grass is between June to September. All goats have access to Bermuda hay between twice daily Chaffhaye feedings. Timothy hay is a widely popular livestock feed among the masses. If someone tells you Alfalfa is a problem in Insulin Resistant horses, they do not have the facts. Good for growing, lactating, or pregnant horses; it may be too rich for sedentary or overweight animals. 0000016746 00000 n It should be noted that it can be harmful to pregnant mares due to an endophyte fungal infection of the grass. Timothy hay has long been the preferred choice as livestock feed. Both are good hay for horses, but they have some differences in nutrient content and physical characteristics. It can be used for hay for horses either by itself or mixed with Alfalfa. It does spike in sugar production in the fall, so be cautious when grazing or feeding it to sugar sensitive horses. Orchardgrass is comparatively more drought-tolerant than timothy hay, requiring moderate temperature and adequate water for growth. Bermuda is typically the cheapest grass hay you can purchase for a horse. And it is here that we enter into contentious territory. 0000006263 00000 n The primary use of perennial ryegrass is for pasturing cattle and sheep cows. Depending on your animals health and preferred nutritional requirements, you can choose either. Like any other preserved forage, the quality of orchardgrass hay depends on multiple factors, primary of which are cultivation and harvesting techniques. Thiscan be fed free-choice or twice a day. Alfalfa hay is higher in protein and calories, but timothy hay has more fiber and a better calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. Grown in the same field under the same conditions there isn't a lot of difference between the two grasses nutrition wise. It has a consistent and balanced ratio of calcium to phosphorus and Timothy Grass has a low to moderate calorie content. Most hay here is a timothy/orchard mix. Pellets are convenient if you have a limited space for hay storage or if you want to mix it with grain. Mineral deficiencies can wreak havoc on caprine health. 0000068572 00000 n Fiber maintains the gastrointestinal walls health and facilitates the interaction between the digestive systems enzymes and nutrients. Grass hay comes in many varieties and the best hay can vary from horse to horse. The hay should have a fresh-cut grass smell. Oats can be grown for hay or oats and straw. The biggest difference between the two types of grass haycan be seen when the two are compared at different growth stages. ]TP, TB_ m!@r. 0000074454 00000 n Hay can come in concentrate form, i.e. But what is the best hay for goats? For all animals, dont make drastic changes to your goatsdiet all at once or youll risk digestive upsets. Instead, portion it out in flakes. Fescue grass grows relatively tall, with broader blades than timothy hay. On the other hand, orchardgrass can be cut before the seed heads emerge with a fairly high yield, producing a leafy, non-stemmy hay. Just wondering if anyone had a problem feeding the chaffhaye when introduced to your goats. The growing popularity of teff is due to its ability to produce high-quality hay in a relatively short growing season. Please visit the, The Most Comfortable Cowboy Boots That You Can Wear All Day, What Barn Chores Do You Need To Do Every Day? A combination of alfalfa and grass hays, as well as a proper grain mix, will providecaprineswith the necessary proteinandroughage to stimulate the digestive action of the rumen. This hay should be given as a treat or you can mix it sparingly with 1st or 2nd cut hay if your rabbit is a picky hay eater. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. 0000014776 00000 n Grass horse hay comes from many different types of grass. And as Teslan said, it lasts indefinitely. Brome is closer in appearance to orchard than timothy, in appearance. 0000037496 00000 n While each one has its benefits-from increased calories and protein with alfalfa to easier digestion in timothy hay- individual horses needs vary. Compared to Timothy Grass, Orchard Grass grows better in moderate drought conditions and provides a solid three hay cuttings per year. Mineral requirements can be classified as macro (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, sulfur, chlorides) and micro (iron, cobalt, copper, manganese, zinc, iodine, selenium, molybdenum, etc.). Palatability of a hay often depends on what the horse is accustomed to. Nutritional values of grass hays vary greatly depending on harvest conditions. Orchard grass is an excellent option for livestock feed, but not to grow on your lawn. Compared to Timothy Grass, Orchard Grass grows better in moderate drought conditions and provides a solid three hay cuttings per year. Orchard Grass is higher in protein (10-12%), higher in calorie content and contains the same balanced levels of calcium and phosphorus as Timothy grass. 0000066417 00000 n Typically, orchard grass is lower in protein than timothy, but it is a favorite amongst horses and owners. Timothy is common in northern areas, whereas brome, orchardgrass, and Bermuda grass are more common in the south. Is orchard grass hay better than timothy? Seemingly, the only potential draw-back with Timothy Grass is availability. Orchard grass has a soft texture and is high in fibre and low in protein. 0000092246 00000 n However, considering the similar nutrition and easier growing conditions, orchard grass is swiftly becoming another exceptional choice.