Usage of Hay in the Rabbit Diet

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Nuances of Hay in the Rabbit Diet[edit | edit source]

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Hay is a widely recommended component in domestic rabbit diets, traditionally valued for its high fiber content and its role in maintaining dental and digestive health. However, the nutritional value, fiber type, particle size, and feeding strategy have a significant impact on rabbit wellbeing, growth, and longevity. This page explores the complexities and scientific findings behind hay usage in rabbit nutrition.

Fiber: Role and Digestion in Rabbits[edit | edit source]

Fiber plays a critical role in preventing digestive disorders and supporting gut health in rabbits. Reviews by Gidenne (1996), Gidenne et al. (1998d), and De Blas et al. (1999) emphasize the importance of dietary fiber—particularly indigestible fiber—in maintaining digestive motility and preventing gut stasis.

Recent work by Licois and Gidenne (1999) demonstrated that fiber also helps resistance against pathogenic agents. Furthermore, the initial health status of rabbits influences their susceptibility to digestive issues from low-fiber diets, with healthier rabbits experiencing fewer disorders (Bennegadi et al., 2000).

However, excessive fiber intake (over 25% Acid Detergent Fiber [ADF]) dilutes dietary energy, forcing rabbits to increase intake to meet energy demands. At very high fiber levels, rabbits cannot compensate by eating more, leading to reduced growth rates (Lebas & Gidenne, 2000).

Fiber Particle Size and Its Effects[edit | edit source]

Fiber particle size has significant effects on digestion, immunity, and mortality:

  • Heterogeneous particle size in feed increases lignin content, reducing digestibility and potentially promoting digestive stress.
  • Studies on New Zealand White crossbred rabbits show that optimal Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) levels combined with medium particle sizes (0.5–1.5 mm) minimize mortality rates (down to 0%) and reduce *E. coli* infections.
  • Larger particle sizes correlate with increased leukocyte, eosinophil, and neutrophil counts, indicating an immune response linked to diet.
  • Imbalances in particle size and fiber content increase digestive stress and disease susceptibility.

(Source: https://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=pjn.2019.101.108)

Misconceptions About “Long Fiber” and Hay[edit | edit source]

Rabbits require both short and long fiber particles for gut health, but the term "long fiber" is misleading. Pellet fiber length is already sufficient for cecal fermentation and motility (Al-Khalaifah, 2019).

Excessive fiber intake above >24% accelerates gut transit time, impairing nutrient absorption and increasing the risk of digestive disorders such as mucoid enteropathy (Moore, 2022).

Additionally, excess indigestible fiber combined with protein encourages harmful bacterial overgrowth and ammonia toxicity by disrupting digestive microflora balance (Moore, 2022).

Hay contains lignin, which reduces protein and energy digestibility, increases stomach retention time, and raises the risk of functional impactions.

The coarse, loose fiber in hay is abrasive and can cause jaw stress and dental damage in domestic rabbits (Böhmer et al., 2017).

Common Types of Hay and Their Nutritional Profiles[edit | edit source]

  • "There is a vast difference in the nutritional value of hay, depending on the type of hay, the quality of forage prior to preparation, and the type and manner of the curing process of hay."*

— Dr. T.E. Reed, Rabbit Specialist

This section provides an overview of commonly fed rabbit hays. For a **full and detailed list** of forage types, please visit \[[1](https://www.feedipedia.org/) Feedipedia], which offers advanced nutritional analyses including detailed breakdowns of hays, grasses, legumes, forage, and grains.

The following is a quick summary of several popular forages and their nutrient profiles:

Timothy Hay[edit | edit source]

Average composition:

  • Protein: \~13.8% Dry Matter (DM) — This is the best-case scenario; typically, store-bought Timothy that has been sitting for months has protein levels between 3% and 9%.
  • Fiber: \~31.8% DM
  • Carbohydrates: 4.7% to 10.9% DM
    • Notes for Rabbits:**

Timothy hay has traditionally been recommended to provide fiber alongside concentrate feeds, particularly in smallholder meat production systems (Cassady et al., 1966; Schlolaut et al., 1995), and more recently for pet rabbit maintenance (McNitt et al., 2013). Unlike alfalfa hay, Timothy hay alone cannot sustain adult rabbits’ maintenance needs (Richards et al., 1962; Uden et al., 1982). However, it can make up to 60-75% of a balanced diet without causing health problems (Keener et al., 1958; Uden et al., 1982).

Timothy hay is relatively low in nutritional value. Digestible energy content ranges between 5.8 to 6.2 MJ/kg. Protein digestibility is limited—62% for early-cut young timothy (crude protein 17% DM) and only 42-47% for mature hays (crude protein <6% DM) (Voris et al., 1940; Richards et al., 1962). Its lysine content is also low, covering only about 70% of growing rabbits’ lysine requirements.

The very low calcium content (averaging 0.33%) can be beneficial or detrimental depending on the rest of the diet’s mineral balance.

Alfalfa Hay[edit | edit source]

Average composition:

  • Protein: \~18.3% DM
  • Fiber: \~28.6% DM
  • Carbohydrates: \~4.5% DM

Alfalfa hay is widely regarded as a highly important forage in rabbit diets (Villamide et al., 2009). It is very palatable (de Blas et al., 2010), with recommended inclusion levels varying from 20% up to 96%, though most recommendations fall between 30-40% (de Blas et al., 2010; Fernandez-Carmona et al., 1998).

Alfalfa provides long, digestible fiber promoting good gut transit and balanced cecal flora (de Blas et al., 2010). It lowers cecal pH and enhances fermentation (Garcia et al., 2005). For optimal function, alfalfa hay should be coarsely ground to preserve its “ballast” role and encourage intestinal motility (Mateos et al., 1989).

Substituting alfalfa with highly lignified fiber sources negatively affects energy digestibility, fermentation, growth, and feed efficiency (Garcia et al., 1999, 2000; Motta et al., 1996; Parigi-Bini et al., 1980). Studies show that dropping large fiber (alfalfa) below 21% of diet causes decreased growth, milk production, and litter weights (Nicodemus et al., 2006).

Alfalfa cannot fully meet commercial rabbits’ energy needs due to physiological ingestion limits (Fernandez-Carmona et al., 1998). It supplies about 25% of dietary protein but with low digestibility and methionine content, making it less ideal for high growth rates (Villamide et al., 2010).

In regions where alfalfa is unavailable, other protein sources like bambara groundnut can substitute (Aganga et al., 2005).

Alfalfa is high in calcium, beneficial during growth but should be limited or avoided in adults to prevent urinary problems (Lowe, 2010). It is also rich in B vitamins, carotene, vitamin E, and vitamin K (Mateos et al., 2010).

High alfalfa inclusion (88%-96%) has been shown to reduce mortality rates by over 10% in rabbits (Fernandez-Carmona et al., 1998).

Red Clover Hay[edit | edit source]

Average composition:

  • Protein: \~18.7% DM
  • Fiber: \~27.4% DM
  • Carbohydrates: \~13% DM

Red clover hay can safely replace alfalfa meal up to 30% in balanced diets without affecting growth, digestibility, or mortality (Grandi et al., 1988).

[[4](https://www.feedipedia.org/node/246) Red Clover Hay – Feedipedia]

Oat Forage[edit | edit source]

Average composition:

  • Protein: \~9.1% DM
  • Fiber: \~34.0% DM
  • Carbohydrates: \~17.7% DM

Grass Hay[edit | edit source]

Grass hay is a broad category including timothy, brome, orchard grass, tall fescue, bermudagrass, and others. It generally contains lower protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals than legume hays but is high in fiber. Because of its lower nutrient density, supplementation is often necessary to meet all nutritional needs.

Mixed Grass/Legume Hay[edit | edit source]

Blending legume and grass hays provides nutritional balance and often results in higher forage yields than monocultures. Ideal mixtures contain roughly one-third grass to two-thirds legume, with common pairings including orchardgrass/alfalfa and tall fescue/alfalfa. These mixes are palatable and healthy for all livestock types.

[[6](https://www.naturesseed.com/blog/which-pasture-plants-make-the-best-hay/#:~)\:text=Grass%20hay%20also%20comes%20from,is%20very%20high%20in%20fiber. Hay and Pasture Resources]

Bermuda Grass[edit | edit source]

Average composition:

  • Protein: \~9.8% DM
  • Fiber: \~31.3% DM
  • Carbohydrates: \~0.8% DM

Hay Videos[edit | edit source]

Quick Links to Hay Resources[edit | edit source]

Hay Quality and Storage Considerations[edit | edit source]

Hay quality varies drastically depending on forage species, harvesting maturity, drying, and storage conditions. Improper curing or storage increases risk of mold and nutrient loss. Compressed bales can harbor internal moisture and spoilage if not managed properly.

Pelleted feeds also risk contamination if stored in humid conditions but are generally easier to protect.

Feeding Recommendations and Balancing[edit | edit source]

  • Rabbits should be fed complete pellets as their main or sole ration. in the Pellet Balanced fiber content (around 18–22% NDF) combined with adequate protein (16–20%) and fat (3–4%) supports health and growth.
  • Particle size should be consistent, ideally between 0.5–1.5 mm, to promote gut motility and reduce digestive stress.
  • Hay should complement, not replace, a nutritionally balanced diet.
  • Excessive fiber without sufficient digestible nutrients reduces growth and energy availability.

Summary[edit | edit source]

Hay remains a useful source of fiber in rabbit diets, but its role must be nuanced:

  • Different hays vary widely in nutritional value and digestibility.
  • Particle size and fiber composition impact digestive health and immune function.
  • Excessive reliance on hay, especially poor-quality or high-lignin types, can reduce growth and cause dental strain.
  • Balanced feeding of quality pellets is recommended for breeding and show rabbits.
  • Proper storage and handling of hay are essential to maintain quality and safety.

References[edit | edit source]

  • Lebas, F., Gidenne, T., et al. (2000–2004). Recent advances in rabbit nutrition. COST 848.
  • Gidenne, T. (1996). Fiber digestion in rabbits.
  • Licois, D., & Gidenne, T. (1999). Fiber and disease resistance in rabbits.
  • Bennegadi, H., et al. (2000). Health status and low fiber diets.
  • Villamide, M. J., et al. (2009). Alfalfa hay in rabbit diets.
  • Grandi, F., et al. (1988). Red clover hay in rabbit nutrition.
  • Reed, T.E. (n.d.). Hay feeding recommendations.
  • [PMC Article on fiber particle size and mortality](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7054611/)
  • [Scialert article on fiber particle size and immune response](https://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=pjn.2019.101.108)
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