Is hay or straw cheaper?

Is hay or straw cheaper?

Straw is far less expensive than hay in our area, selling for under $4/square bale. … Since hay is more nutritious but more expensive, we buy hay solely for the horses to eat. Since straw is cheaper, dried and therefore less likely to mold or attract moisture, we buy straw for the backyard chicken coop and nesting boxes.

Is it OK for horses to eat straw?

If horses eat a large volume of straw, this lignin fiber accumulates in the digestive system and it can plug (impact) the digestive system. This results in severe colic and even death if not properly treated. Horses that are well- fed normally do not eat large volumes of straw bedding.

Should horses have hay all time?

A horse should eat one to two percent of their body weight in roughage every day. Horses who spend much of their time in stalls aren't doing much grazing, but their natural feeding patterns can be replicated by keeping hay in front of them for most of the day.

Which is warmer hay or straw?

Straw is warmer than hay so makes a better bedding, but nothing is warm if it is wet. Your cleaning schedule needs to be scrupulous in the winter and don't be stingy—make sure you provide a deep bedding of something like shavings or megazorb under the straw. This advice is for rabbits who are in good body condition.

What kind of hay is best for horses?

Kentucky bluegrass, orchardgrass and timothy are all examples of common grasses used for hay. Benefits: Grass hay is lower in protein and energy than legume hay — but it's also higher in fiber, which can make it a good choice for many horses.

Do any animals eat straw?

Oat straw is the most palatable and nutritious, followed by barley straw and wheat straw. Rye straw has little feed value. Straw can constitute up to about 60% of the brood-cow ration but has only about half the value of hay in growing rations.

How many pounds of hay does a horse eat?

If your horse has limited grass then you must make sure his diet is supplemented with hay. The average 1000 pound horse must eat approximately 10 to 20 pounds of hay every day according to LSU.

Why does my horse eat straw?

Let Them Eat Straw. People consider feeding straw for a variety of reasons such as reducing caloric intake, providing an alternative to horses that want to eat constantly, saving money on hay or substituting for hay when there is a shortage. … Straw is the dead and dried remains of oat, barley, rye or wheat plants.

What is the best bedding for horses?

Straw, like hay, is sold in large rectangular bales. Both have drawbacks as coop bedding. One serious issue is that chickens can get impacted crops from trying to eat them. … It's more expensive than pine shavings, but the chickens love scratching in it, and the coop stays very dry.

Can I feed alfalfa pellets instead of hay?

Because they don't have the long-stem fiber, pellets cannot replace hay. They can replace the calories that are provided by hay, but something else, such as alfalfa cubes or beet pulp should be used to safely replace hay for long-stem forage.

What is straw good for?

Mulch helps to hold in moisture, so you don't have to water as often; it shades out weed seedlings, cutting down on weeding time; and it composts into nutrients and amendments for the soil. Straw is one of the best mulch materials you can use around your vegetable plants.

Why do cows eat straw?

Feeding Straw. Straw is a good alternative in rations for cows and sheep if properly supplemented with higher quality feedstuffs. … Straw should not be fed without supplementation because rarely does straw provide enough energy and protein to meet an animal's requirements.

Is clover hay good for horses?

Clover can be a good feed source for most horses because it provides useful energy and adequate protein and fiber. You can use clover in hay or pastures. Clovers can sometimes mold, which causes slobbers, photosensitivity (reactive to light) and bleeding.

Why are some hay bales wrapped in plastic?

Plastic wrap is most commonly used in high-moisture baling. In this method the forage crop is cut sooner, immediately baled, and wrapped in plastic to ferment like silage. … Because forage is at it's highest quality when cut, baleage is higher in protein and more palatable for livestock than dry hay.

How much alfalfa hay is it safe to feed a horse?

Horses can normally eat 1.5-2% of their body weight in hay, which equates to 18-24 lbs. of hay per day. The quality of the hay will determine how much is needed and if supplemental grain should be added. Good alfalfa can be 18-20% protein and 55% TDN or energy. Alfalfa is also very high in calcium (5 to 1 Ca/P ratio).

What do you feed a hard keeper horse?

Depending on your horse's initial condition, it may take several months to get to his ideal body condition; a slow and steady weight gain is the best approach. Feed high quality hay, hay replacer or add some alfalfa hay to the diet.

How long can timothy hay last?

If stored properly in a cool dark place with good ventilation, the Timothy Hay Food may keep for 6 months or longer.

Can you feed horses wheat hay?

Rye grass hay does work well for some horses. It is usually 8- 9% protein as fed and for horses that don't tend to put on weight and have moderate to heavy workloads, it may serve as a supplement to regular feed. Straw from more mature cereal grains can be fed to horses almost exclusively as a fiber source.

Is hay a good insulator?

Straw and Hay makes a great insulator because it is full of air pockets, air being a great thermal break that does not allow heat to be transferred to sensitive areas like inside barns where animals are living.

Can horses graze on alfalfa?

Horses are grazing animals and most horses in the Midwest meet their nutritional needs from cool-season grass pasture or hay. … And we found that legumes are a good option for those looking to increase the forage nutritive value of their pastures. Alfalfa can be grazed as a single-species or mixed with grass.

Can I use old hay for bedding?

You might be tempted to use old hay for bedding. Horses will eat even spoiled hay that may give off mold dust that can result in lung damage. … Hay is also more expensive than straw or other beddings. Hay for bedding is not a good idea.

Can I use hay instead of straw for bedding?

Straw is normally used for a bedding material, while hay is used as a feed supplement. Straw is dried out and works well for building nests and providing cushioning for animals to sleep in.

What can horses eat list?

Apples and carrots are traditional favorites. You can safely offer your horse raisins, grapes, bananas, strawberries, cantaloupe or other melons, celery, pumpkin, and snow peas. Most horses will chew these treats before swallowing, but horses that gulp large pieces of a fruit or vegetable have a risk of choking.