You know your rabbit is unique. So do we!
That's one of the reasons we supply all 3 cuttings of timothy hay, while most companies only have one type of timothy hay product. At Small Pet Select, we know that rabbits have different tastes and preferences, and while some rabbits like the more fibrous types of hay, others will only eat the really leafy stuff!
In fact, we put a video below detailing all the different attributes and benefits of the different cuttings.
Before you read the rest of this post, make sure you check out the video below and let us know in the comments which is your bunnies favorite type of hay. The best 10 comments will receive a free sampler box from us...and the #1 comment will receive a free Macbook Air! Whoop whoop!
*(Please note, deadline for entry is September 15, 2022). We're super interested to hear what you and your bunnies think!
Harvesting Timothy Hay
Before we go into which Hay is best for your bunny, let’s talk about how it’s harvested.
It is absolutely true that premium quality hay is highly dependent on the skill of the farmer as well as the weather and field conditions. This is also why it’s important to make sure your hay provider is looking out for the highest quality hay for your little ones.
Many average farmers are unable to produce a premium quality hay… a green, soft, fragrant, super leafy and yummy timothy hay that is suitable for rabbits and guinea pigs. Even if you narrow it down to the very best farmers… you need mother nature to cooperate!
That means no rain (cross your fingers) -- that will ruin a great quality hay! And not too hot or overwhelming sunlight please, that will hurt the color and cause it to be more dry, not a rich green. Not to mention…it’s extremely difficult to avoid the pesky brown leaf (which is not suitable for your rabbit).
It’s really only when you get a great and talented farmer and ideal weather and field conditions that we are able to find the type of hay that we like to “Select” for your bunnies and guinea pigs. Hence our name “Small Pet Select.” Only the best for our small pets!
Now, aside from the quality factors due to weather and the farmer, there are also huge quality differences in timothy hay depending on what “type” or “cutting” we are dealing with. We are referring to whether it is a 1st cutting , 2nd cutting, or 3rd cutting.
What Do We Mean By “Cutting”?
With certain crops, they may only have one harvest per year. But with hay, and timothy hay specifically, they will get multiple cuttings. Meaning, they cut and bale the hay multiple times in one harvest season.
The hay is first planted in the spring, and begins to grow. Once it is full grown (typically this happens sometime in June or early July for most farmers) they will cut the timothy grass for the first time of the year. This is why it is called the first cutting…it is the first time the farmer has cut the grass for the season!
After the farmer has cut it, they let it sit in the field and to cure (dry) for a few days, and then they bale it and store it. That is the end of the first cutting, and onto the next.
Now, let’s dive into the differences between these 3 different cuts and how they affect your rabbit.
1st Cut Timothy Hay
Let’s talk about the specific quality factors that are associated with first cutting timothy hay, as compared to the later cuts.
First Cutting Timothy Hay Has More Stems, Less Leaves, and is higher in Fiber.
First cutting timothy is generally going to have more stem (and less leaf as a percentage of the hay) than a 2nd cutting or 3rd cutting timothy. Since the stem contains more fiber than leaves, first cutting also has a good deal more fiber content than the later cuttings, while having less protein and fat content.
And typically that is a good thing. But here’s the thing about stems…they are coarser in texture than leaves. That means they are crunchier and a bit tougher to eat for some of our small furry friends.
Pros:
- Highest in Fiber
- Good for filing down your rabbit’s teeth
- Can promote weight loss for our chubbier buns!
- This cut has flowers that some bunnies LOVE
Cons:
- Some bunnies have difficulty with how tough this cut is and need a softer variety.
2nd Cut Timothy Hay
After the first cutting is baled up and stored, the field begins to grow again throughout the mid-summer. Typically the field for second cutting will be growing from mid June to mid August, around 6-8 weeks of time the plant has time to regrow before it is cut again.
And since this is the second time the plant has been cut for the year, that’s why it’s called “2nd cutting timothy hay”.
It’s the perfect balance of deep leafy green and a softness to the stems that the 1st cut doesn’t have. It also provides good fiber levels for your bunnies digestion, and a bit more protein than the 1st cut as well. It’s a perfect middle ground of Timothy Hay that most healthy adult bunnies can enjoy.
Pros:
It’s stems are softer than the 1st cut, and easier to chew
Has tasty leaves and stem head that bunnies adore
This is most recommended for all healthy adult rabbits.
Cons:
Less Fiber than 1st cut. (However, it has more than the 3rd cut. It’s right in the middle!)
Has a bit more protein so make sure you’re keeping a balanced diet with plenty of fiber options
3rd Cutting Timothy Hay
Third cutting is super interesting because it is so rare! The reason it is rare is because the overwhelming majority of farmers do not even grow a third cutting.
Most choose to stop in August after they bale and store their second cutting. And this is for good reason. It begins to get colder and there are heavier dews in the tail end of the summer. Remember, the end of 2nd cutting is generally in the middle of August. So if a farmer is going to grow a third cutting timothy hay, there really isn’t much summer time left… he or she will now be pushing into colder fall months in order to yield a 3rd cutting.
The time frame for a 3rd cutting timothy growth is generally sometime from mid August to late September or even early October. As you can imagine temperatures cool down quite a bit and there are a lot heavier dews on some of those early fall days.
This is why most farmers don’t do it – it simply isn’t worth the time or risk.
But…some farmers do, and when they get lucky…they can create quite a special product that certain picky pets really love!
This cut is the most soft and leafy hay available, and is super rich in color and flavor. It’s almost 100% leaf, no stems. Some rabbits and guinea pigs really appreciate this and won’t eat anything else.
Because of this, it is perfect for our pickiest eaters that won’t touch other hay varieties and cuts. This is a win because that rabbit or guinea pig is getting fiber they otherwise would not have been able to get by any other means.
However, there are potential cons: it has the least amount of fiber, but it has higher levels of protein and fat. It’s always a give and take, but because it’s higher in fat and protein the 3rd cutting can be really good for some rabbits and guinea pigs that need to put on weight!
Pros:
The softest of all the cuttings.
Has the most leaves
Best option for “picky eaters”
Best options for bunnies who need to gain weight!
Cons:
Has the least amount of fiber
Higher protein and fat than 1st cutting or 2nd cutting.
As we said, every different cut of Timothy Hay has its own rich harvesting history and can have different affects on your rabbit's health.
Knowing all the details of each type of hay can help you keep your rabbit in tip-top shape and balance their nutrition and fiber intake like a pro.
Is your rabbit gaining weight? Transition them to 1st cut for a while to help them get back down to a healthy weight.
Do their teeth need some filing? Transition them to a good coarse 1st cut so that they can chew with ease and comfort.
And finally, always remember that hay is the most important part of your rabbit’s diet and needs to be provided as a “free choice” food. Because their entire digestive system only functions properly with a high fiber diet, it is crucial to be providing them with the only variety of food that can give them that fiber: Timothy Hay.
Need help choosing the right hay for your bunny? Take this quiz!
