Jenk wrote:
That's where I get confused: Many bun owners--and even hay sellers--recommend 1st-cut hay for buns. Apparently, the fiber content decreases with each successive cutting (2nd and 3rd), and the sugar content of them increases.
JMO...
A first cut will show the yield a farmer will get.
Cut at the right time andunder good conditions, it will be a great feed.
And it stores well becauce of the lower moisture content.
A lot of factors apply...going to seed, rainfall, temp, drying, etc.
And it will also show what the second cut will get.
If the first cut is good, then the second cut will likely be good....with proper conditions of course.
A higher moisture content requires a more vigilant storing condition to avoid mold/mildew.
I think third cut is more of a goal that is a work of nurturing the crop...a proper amount of TLC is required.
An early third cut is the best, but offers a lesser yield.
If the first and second cut aren't up to par it could end up being low quality, dried out and dusty.
It makes sense to grow and sell good quality 1st &2nd cut.
3rd cut will sell if good....but not the money maker.
I go with the results I get from feeding my buns.
Chippy, with all of her GI issues
(my megacolon posterbun), seems to do much better on the third cut.
She loves it, too.
I still give her some of the first cut, mostly because she likes to use it for bedding and nesting.
Benji is sensitive to dust....gives him runny eyes. The 3rd cut from KM is virtually dust free.
He hasn't had runny eyes since I switched over.
Binkie and Rosie are little hoover vacs and will eat anything, but seem to get more animated when I offer the 3rd.
Even ol' mommybun S'more does half-binkies when I'm handing out the 3rd.
All the buns have shown VERY healthy outpoop, too!
Buns can be different though.