Small Pet Education Blog > [2021] Hay Report: Wheat, Barley, Oat Blend

[2021] Hay Report: Wheat, Barley, Oat Blend

This blend has been discontinued, but we have an Oat Hay that is very close in flavor!

Written by The Rabbit Hole Hay Team

What is Wheat Barley Oat Blend?

This blend is markedly different from our other hays in two significant ways. 1. Wheat, Barley and Oat are all grains, whereas Timothy, Orchard are grass hays. 2. Grain hays are much more light sensitive. Despite this they maintain much of their nutrients despite yellowing. The stalks and leaves are very high in fiber and generally loved by Rabbits, Guinea Pigs and Chinchillas.

Wheat Barley Oat Blend should have these qualities:

Harvest: Annual, there is only one harvest per year that must be replanted each year.

Location: All Elevations, it grows well in the valley and in the mountains.

Color: Light Green to Yellow with streaks of Purple (indications of sweetness)

Stems/Stalks: Stems are very thick and hollow, should be extremely plentiful.

Leaves: Thin long leaves accompanying each stalk.

Seed Heads/Flowers: Should be able to easily identify each of the three grains head, should be full developed.

Leaf Crush: The Leaves and stalks are very robust and we generally see no leaf crush.

Weeds: None

Dust: None

Our goal is to offer the highest quality hay, however, all naturally grown and harvested hay holds minor imperfections such as dust, weeds, leaf crush, and brown leaf. The ideal version of Wheat Barley Oat Blend would have none of these.

October 2021 Wheat Barley Oat Blend Report

The 2021 Ultra Premium Wheat Barley Oat Blend we have in stock is currently a first cut, in fact Wheat Barley Oat only gets one cutting. Like last year our 2020 Wheat Barley Oat was our first time offering the variety, while it was nice, it was received late in the season and so was sun bleached. This year however we were able to be in the fields early and were able to get a really nice hay, we got it indoors right away and so have been able to maintain some of its color. It is absolutely beautiful hay.

Here is the report on what we have in stock:

Overall Rating: 7/10

Harvest: First cut of a field blend of Wheat, Barley and Oat Hays, it was harvested in May of 2021.

Location: Northern California

Color: Yellow, Light Green with flecks of Pink/Purple

Stems/Stalks: Wheat Barley Oat is a blend that has a completely different structure than our Grass Hays, it is much coarser in the sense that it has almost entirely stalks, however, the stalks are much softer, not as wirey. If the hay is allowed to fully mature in the field it will push sugars into the stalks which present themselves as a Purple/Pink hue in the stems. Your pets will love this!

Leaves: Leaves are minimal.

Seed Heads/Flowers: Seed heads are large and abundant.

Leaf Crush: Very minimal

Weeds: None

Dust: None

Summary: This year's Wheat, Barley, Oat Blend is an okay example of what Wheat, Barley, Oat Blend should be. The only reason it doesn't receive a 10/10 is because this is the first year we've had it and while it's good it's not perfect.