Well - according to WWW site (
http://www.westwaleswillows.co.uk/timothyhays.html ) the first cut is usually better - more nutrients etc.
In our climate, hay can be cut twice during the summer (weather permitting).
The first cut in early summer takes place once the timothy has matured and developed its flower head and the ideal cut is before the flower head is emptied.
Because of the number of stalks that the grass has developed, the fibre content is higher than in the more leafier, immature second cut that can be taken towards the end of the summer.
This year, due to the weather, we were not able to cut our fields until the middle of July.
This did not allow enough growing time for a 2nd cut and means that the 1st cut this year
is not as high in fibre and not as low in calcium as last years 1st cut.
In this case the first cut stuff was greener - I have noticed my two always tuck into the stuff from my local pet shop when it comes in greener (i.e. looks green). They seem to prefer it!
So I asked them at the farm for a greener bale and he said ah you want first cut and started scaling the mountain of hay to get me some! It smells nice and sweet.
I have bought a huge box of first cut timothy hay from WWW - arriving Tue, hope they like that, I am going to give them a mix of the new stuff, my old stuff and www timothy as a treat (v.expensive).
I serve it up to them in their litter tray usually - they eat while they poo - or tuck in every so often when they feel like some.
I tried them first with the p@h stuff - Zeus just sat on it and wouldn't eat him - don't blame him really now I am buying the better stuff I can see the difference.
Then I found my local pet shop buys in bales and bags them into smaller quantities I tried a bag of it and it was the first time Zeus tucked into hay willingly - I ended up buying a bale from them for £7 - it is meadow hay I think - hence finer stranded with a variety of grass species - not sure about organic though as the old guy who runs the shop is lovely but a bit barmy!!
This new stuff is cheaper - just hope it stays so popular with them - I didn't have any change so am £2 in credit with the farm if I want another bale!!
The only problem was it came with a queen wasp! Bloody thing flew out at me when I was driving home :evil: - managed to lose it out the window - before I freaked totally - the only living creature I can't stand!! Think I was just unlucky it had chosen my bale to rest in! :shock:
Caz
