Last Updated: March 2024
How's The Hay Looking?
Fresh From The Hopper
As new hay batches arrive at our warehouse, typically every 4 to 6 weeks, we'll update
A Whole New Hay Report
Providing You A More Realistic Description
We realized that doing an annual harvest report on only the first batch of hay from that season’s harvest was more of an initial analysis. It was great at giving us an early glimpse into the anticipated quality for the year, but not a guarantee of what each batch would be.
It was with that in mind that we wanted to provide you with a more realistic description of what the hay looks and feels like as each new batch arrives from the farm. Ensuring you have the most accurate information available when you place your order and allowing you to make informed choices with confidence!
Hay Descriptions
We'll provide you a more realistic description of what the hay looks and feels like. Along with notes on if it differs from past batches.
Hay Features
Based on the hay description, we'll let you know the reasons why you may want to give your small pet this hay specifically.
Recommendations
We'll provide you with any recommendations of a different hay your small pet may prefer based on the current hay quality.
Timothy Hay
Coarse Timothy Hay
Hay Description
Good quality hay! There are no noticeable changes from the previous batches.
Color is light green, there is an abundance of thick stems averaging 8-11 inches, long seed heads, and some leaf content.
Features
Because of this batch’s great thick stems, this hay is perfect to help file down pesky overgrown incisors.
We saw a little bit of brown leaf, but it shouldn’t be an issue whatsoever for your small pets!
We saw a little bit of brown leaf, but it shouldn’t be an issue whatsoever for your small pets!
Our Recommendations
- If the Coarse Timothy is a bit too coarse for you, we recommend our Medium Timothy variety which contains thinner stems and less seed heads.
- If you’re looking for more leaf content, but would like to keep the stems and stalks we recommend two options:
- Try out the Medium Timothy Hay
- Grab some Soft Timothy (mostly leaves) to mix into your Coarse Timothy for some variety
- If you or your small pet are allergic to Timothy Hay, we recommend trying either our Soft Orchard Grass or Coarse Orchard Grass.
Medium Timothy Hay
Last Updated: March 2024
Hay Description
Just like the last batch, it’s a “true” medium! Color is a beautiful green with good long, flat and wide leaves. Great content of thinner stems, and open seed heads for variety in texture. Minimal brown leaf!
IMPORTANT NOTE TO CUSTOMERS: This batch is NOT the same as last year's harvest. Although this is a great batch, many folks are used to the incredibly soft leafy hay we sent out for most of the year. Please consider moving your future orders to Soft Timothy Hay before purchasing if you want less stems and seed heads.
Features
Great stems to help file down those pesky overgrown incisors with amazing flat and wide leaves, which has been sought over the years!
This is a great blend of all textures, not one more than the other. If you have small pets who enjoy different textures, this may be a great choice for them!
Our Recommendations
- If your small pet was loving the softer Medium Timothy we had in our 2022 harvest, then this batch of Medium Timothy may be a bit too coarse for you. We’d suggest ordering our Soft Timothy instead as it contains the soft leafy hay that they’re used to!
- If you or your small pet are allergic to Timothy Hay, we recommend trying either our Soft Orchard Grass or Coarse Orchard Grass.
Soft Timothy Hay
Last Updated: March 2024
Hay Description
This batch contains longer leaves than the prior batch, and so far as we look over it there also seems to be less choppy pieces!
Our summer was cooler than average, which delayed some growth. This is why some leaves are on the shorter “choppy” side.
Our summer was cooler than average, which delayed some growth. This is why some leaves are on the shorter “choppy” side.
Features
Darker green, longer flat and wide leaves. Minimal stem content but can vary bale to bale, with some surprise seed heads - yummy!
We aren’t seeing any thorns in this batch so far either!
It’s one of our most popular hays as it’s great for older small pets or those with softer teeth.
We aren’t seeing any thorns in this batch so far either!
It’s one of our most popular hays as it’s great for older small pets or those with softer teeth.
Our Recommendations
- The majority of this hay is soft green blades, which makes it perfect for older bunnies and those with soft or weak teeth.
- If you’re looking for more stems, try a sample of our Medium Timothy Hay! It contains a great leaf content and a generous amount of stems and seed heads.
- If you or your small pet are allergic to Timothy Hay, we recommend trying either our Soft Orchard Grass or Coarse Orchard Grass.
Orchard Grass
Coarse Orchard Grass
Last Updated: March 2024
Hay Description
Slightly lighter in color, and while there is still abundant stem and seed head content - there is a little less than the previous batch. Very long leaves!
IMPORTANT NOTE TO CUSTOMERS: This particular cut is very coarse compared to what we've seen in the last few years, with our previous hay being incredibly soft due to environmental factors. This is definitely right on with the "coarse" description and what you should expect with a first cut of hay - it contains an abundance of stems and open seed heads.
Features
The thick leaves and stems make it great for promoting good dental health to help file down overgrown incisors.
This hay is also great for those who need coarse hay for their small pet but need to stay away from Timothy for allergy reasons.
This hay is also great for those who need coarse hay for their small pet but need to stay away from Timothy for allergy reasons.
Our Recommendations
- This year’s Coarse Orchard Grass is coarser than we’ve had prior, if you’re looking for smoothing without an abundance of stems we recommend trying out our Soft Orchard Grass!
- This batch will allow our small pets who may need something coarser to help file those teeth down to achieve better dental health.
- On the other hand, if your pet has certain dental issues where typically they would need something much softer, it may be best to skip this batch and try our Soft Orchard Grass. Please consult with your veterinarian if you have questions about your small pets dental health.
Soft Orchard Grass
Last Updated: March 2024
Hay Description
Dark green, very long leaves, with minimal to no stems. Definitely a great batch for those who love our Soft Orchard Grass!
Features
The long leaves make it really good for those small pets who need to munch on something.
While we haven’t found any Alfalfa within this batch so far, it’s a helpful reminder that Alfalfa can grow with Orchard Grass and may appear from time to time in your shipments. It’s minimal and doesn’t have any harm, but we want to let you know in case you see it within your order.
While we haven’t found any Alfalfa within this batch so far, it’s a helpful reminder that Alfalfa can grow with Orchard Grass and may appear from time to time in your shipments. It’s minimal and doesn’t have any harm, but we want to let you know in case you see it within your order.
Our Recommendations
- This batch is perfect for those small pets who need to munch on something softer. Typically those who have dental issues like soft teeth, no teeth, etc. Please consult with your veterinarian if you have questions about your pets dental health.
Other Hays
Alfalfa Hay
Last Updated: March 2024
Hay Description
Beautiful, long green Alfalfa stems with a majority of leaves still attached to the stem (truly an awesome amount of leaf content) - creating less waste!
Features
Perfect for rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas under 6 months of age to help them get the needed protein and nutrients they need to grow.
Our Recommendations
- Once your small pet is older than 6 months, we recommend you start to transition them to grass hay (such as Timothy or Orchard).
Mountain Grass
Last Updated: March 2024
Hay Description
Coarse hay with a great equal blend of Timothy Hay, Orchard Grass, and other Wild Grasses containing an abundance of long stems and great leaf content. It’s really consistent with the last batch!
This year’s harvest is a bit softer with thinner stems and a great mix of textures. Great for those who love our Mountain Grass.
This year’s harvest is a bit softer with thinner stems and a great mix of textures. Great for those who love our Mountain Grass.
Features
Great variety in both texture and taste due to the blend of hays.
Our Recommendations
- If you and your small pet were loving our previous Mountain Grass batch, you’ll be happy with this batch.
Oat Hay
Last Updated: March 2024
Hay Description
This batch of Oat Hay is a great one!
Variety in color from light green to golden yellow (which is great!). Thick stems, many open seed heads, and a little leaf content.
Features
Really good for small pets who are finicky and also great for those who enjoy variety and sweeter hay.
Our Recommendations
- This is a great hay for daily diet or treat hay.
- Try Oat Hay out for some variety in taste and texture, or for more finicky small pets!
