Hay and Straw in Rabbit Nutrition

However, it can be stated that the ability to adapt to different feeds is only limited. In general, the rabbit can be considered a very sensitive animal with regard to diet composition and quantity. Any sudden change in composition or quality is usually quickly reflected in their health status, as well as in the economics of production.

Dry roughages are of fundamental importance in rabbit nutrition, mainly due to their high fiber content, but also because of the possible presence of certain beneficial components. Hay and straw in particular belong to this group of feeds. It is difficult to imagine keeping rabbits at home—especially in traditional small-scale systems for exhibitions or meat production—without hay and straw.

Hay

Hay is dried green forage. Its quality depends on many factors, such as the type of stand (monoculture or meadow mixture), altitude, phenological stage at cutting, geological subsoil, level of rainfall, etc. From the perspective of small-scale rabbit farming, meadow hay is of primary importance and is used most frequently. Its advantages include better availability, easier handling, and lower leaf loss during drying and transport. For rabbits, a mixture containing various herb species is also beneficial, as many herbs have favorable pharmacological effects (e.g., yarrow, dandelion, etc.). A disadvantage is the lower yield.

Hay from monocultures, mainly alfalfa or clover, is advantageous in terms of higher yield and nutrient content (especially higher crude protein content). However, there is often greater leaf shatter loss; it is more susceptible to absorbing atmospheric moisture, and these forage crops also require better growing conditions. Alfalfa or clover hay is used to produce meal, which is a major component of pelleted rabbit diets. The development of diets that retain the original structure of fibrous components can also be positively acknowledged, although the availability of such diets is limited.

Straw

Straw is a by-product of cereal cultivation. Its quality is mainly influenced by climatic conditions during the growing season, harvesting method, the time loose straw remains in the field after threshing, and storage duration and conditions. The poorest quality straw comes from uncovered stacks, where significant mold development often occurs. On the other hand, high-quality, dry straw collected from the field shortly after threshing and stored in a covered, dry, and ventilated place can be considered an excellent source of fiber. Unfortunately, good-quality straw is often underestimated in rabbit nutrition. Rabbits generally consume it more readily than average-quality hay.

In general, rabbits should have regular access to good-quality hay or straw. Ad libitum access to hay throughout the day is possible; however, this often leads to spoilage due to trampling and contamination with feces or urine, which can be considered a health risk, especially for young rabbits. Therefore, even in small-scale rabbit farming, hay should be “dosed” according to the observed interest of specific rabbits, while still being available to them for a longer period during the day.