When you walk past a farm or stable, you might wonder which animals actually need hay in their daily diet.
Many herbivorous animals including horses, cows, goats, sheep, rabbits, and guinea pigs rely on hay as a primary food source, with different types like timothy hay and alfalfa providing essential fiber, protein, and nutrients.
Your choice of hay type matters more than you might think. Alfalfa hay contains higher protein and calcium levels compared to grass hay, making it ideal for growing animals and lactating mothers.
Meanwhile, timothy hay offers excellent fiber content that supports healthy digestion in adult animals.
Whether you’re caring for large livestock or small pets, understanding which animals eat hay and their specific nutritional needs helps you make better feeding decisions.
From domestic farm animals to exotic species like llamas and yaks, each has unique hay requirements that affect their health and well-being.
Horses
Horses are natural grass eaters that need hay as a crucial part of their diet. When fresh pasture isn’t available, hay becomes their main food source.
Your horse should eat about 2-3% of their body weight in hay daily. A 1,000-pound horse needs 20-30 pounds of hay each day.
Why Horses Need Hay:
- Provides essential fiber for digestion
- Prevents colic and stomach ulcers
- Satisfies natural grazing instincts
- Supplies energy for daily activities
Best Hay Types for Horses:
| Hay Type | Protein Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Timothy | Low-Medium | Most horses, easy keepers |
| Alfalfa | High | Working horses, pregnant mares |
| Orchard Grass | Medium | Good all-purpose option |
| Bermuda | Low-Medium | Hot climates, weight management |
You should feed hay in small amounts throughout the day rather than one large meal. This mimics natural grazing patterns and keeps your horse’s digestive system healthy.
Quality matters when choosing hay. Look for green color, sweet smell, and no dust or mold. Poor quality hay can make your horse sick.
Different animals eat oaten hay, but horses benefit especially from its lower sugar content. This makes it perfect for horses with metabolic issues.
Store your hay in a dry, well-ventilated area to maintain its quality and nutritional value.
Cows
Cows eat hay regularly and have been doing so for hundreds of thousands of years. Your cattle rely on hay as one of their primary food sources, especially during winter months when fresh grass isn’t available.
Hay provides essential nutrients that keep your cows healthy and strong. The dried grasses contain fiber, protein, and carbohydrates that support proper digestion and overall health.
Your cows are natural grazers who will happily munch on hay throughout the day. You’ll often see them eating hay bales when pasture grass is scarce or of poor quality.
Different types of hay work well for cattle:
- Grass hay – Basic nutrition and fiber
- Alfalfa hay – Higher protein content
- Mixed hay – Combination of grasses and legumes
When feeding hay to your cattle, watch for signs of bloat. This serious condition happens when gas builds up in the rumen and can’t escape. Rich alfalfa hay or moldy hay can increase bloat risk.
Signs of bloat include:
- Swollen left side of the abdomen
- Difficulty breathing
- Excessive drooling
- Restlessness
You should provide about 2-3% of your cow’s body weight in hay daily. A 1,000-pound cow needs roughly 20-30 pounds of hay per day.
Store your hay properly in dry conditions to maintain nutritional value. Moldy or wet hay can make your cattle sick and should never be fed to them.
Your cows will benefit most from high-quality hay that’s been cut at the right time and stored correctly.
Goats
Goats are natural hay eaters that thrive on various grass types. These versatile animals can digest hay efficiently and use it as a major part of their diet.
Types of Hay Goats Prefer:
- Alfalfa hay (highest protein content)
- Timothy hay (good fiber balance)
- Orchard grass hay
- Brome hay
Goats prefer alfalfa hay over other types because it contains more protein and calcium. This makes it especially good for pregnant or nursing goats.
You should feed your goats 2-4 pounds of hay per day for each 100 pounds of body weight. This amount changes based on their age, size, and activity level.
Signs Your Goat Needs More Hay:
- Leaving large amounts uneaten
- Acting restless or irritable
- Chewing on fence posts or wood
Store hay in a dry, covered area to prevent mold and dust. Dusty or moldy hay can harm your goats’ breathing and digestion.
Baby goats need special care with hay. Chop it into small pieces or soak it in water first to prevent choking.
Hay makes up about 75% of a goat’s diet when they cannot graze on pasture. Even goats with access to pasture still benefit from quality hay as a supplement.
Always provide fresh, clean water when feeding hay. The dry grass can make goats thirsty and help with proper digestion.
Sheep
Sheep are natural hay eaters and rely on it heavily during winter months. Sheep can eat hay when grass stops growing or during drought conditions.
Your sheep prefer fine, leafy hay over coarse, stemmy varieties. They will pick through their food and leave behind parts they don’t like.
Best hay types for sheep include:
- Alfalfa hay (high protein)
- Red clover hay
- Timothy hay
- Brome grass hay
- Orchard grass hay
Alfalfa hay works great for pregnant and nursing ewes because it’s packed with protein and calcium. However, you need to introduce it slowly to prevent bloat.
Grass hays like timothy and brome cost less than alfalfa. They work well for maintaining adult sheep that aren’t pregnant or nursing.
Feeding guidelines:
- Introduce new hay slowly over 7-10 days
- Provide 2-4 pounds of hay per sheep daily
- Store hay in dry areas to prevent mold
- Check hay quality before feeding
Your sheep will need grain supplements along with hay for complete nutrition. Sheep need supplementing foods like grain and pellets in addition to hay.
Winter feeding requires more hay since fresh grass isn’t available. Plan for about 2-3 tons of hay per sheep for the winter season.
Quality matters more than quantity. Fresh, green hay with lots of leaves provides better nutrition than old, brown hay.
Donkeys
Donkeys eat hay, but they need it in smaller amounts than horses. Domesticated donkeys mostly eat hay, straw, grass, and other feed as part of their daily diet.
Hay Requirements
Your donkey needs lower-quality hay than other animals. Stemmy, mature grass hay works best for their digestive system.
You should avoid rich hays like alfalfa. These high-energy hays can make your donkey gain too much weight quickly.
Daily Feeding Guidelines
| Feed Type | Percentage of Diet | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Straw | 50-75% | Primary food source |
| Hay/Grass | 25-50% | Secondary to straw |
| Supplements | Small amounts | Vitamins and minerals only |
Important Feeding Tips
Feed your donkey small amounts of hay throughout the day. They are trickle feeders and should not get large meals all at once.
Never give more than 1 kg of supplementary feed at one time. This can upset their stomach and cause health problems.
Most healthy adult donkeys only need straw plus a little hay and vitamin supplements. The main foodstuff of domestic donkeys is straw, with hay serving as a supplement.
Watch your donkey’s weight carefully. They gain weight easily and can develop serious health issues if overfed.
Rabbits
Rabbits need hay as their main food source. Hay should make up 80% of your rabbit’s diet according to nutrition experts.
Your rabbit’s digestive system works best with high-fiber foods. Hay keeps their gut healthy and prevents serious health problems.
Why Hay Matters for Your Rabbit:
- Keeps teeth worn down as they grow constantly
- Prevents digestive issues
- Provides essential fiber and nutrients
- Satisfies natural chewing needs
Best Hay Types for Rabbits:
| Hay Type | Benefits | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Timothy | Lower protein, good fiber | Adult rabbits |
| Orchard grass | Soft texture, tasty | Picky eaters |
| Meadow hay | Mixed grasses, variety | All ages |
Young rabbits can eat alfalfa hay because they need extra protein and calcium. Adult rabbits do better with grass hays like timothy or orchard grass.
You should give your rabbit fresh hay every day. Store it in a dry place to keep it from getting moldy.
Daily Diet Breakdown:
- 80% hay
- 10% fresh vegetables
- 5% pellets
- 5% healthy treats
Your rabbit will spend hours eating hay each day. This is normal behavior that keeps them healthy and happy. Always provide unlimited access to fresh hay and clean water.
Some rabbits are picky eaters. Try mixing different hay types to find what your rabbit likes best.
Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are small herbivores that need hay as their main food source. Hay makes up about 80% of a guinea pig’s daily diet and provides essential fiber for proper digestion.
Your guinea pig should have unlimited access to fresh hay every day. Adult guinea pigs typically eat around 100 grams of hay daily to stay healthy.
Timothy hay is the best choice for most guinea pigs. It has the perfect balance of fiber, protein, and calcium that your pet needs.
Here are the main types of hay guinea pigs can eat:
| Hay Type | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Timothy Hay | Adult guinea pigs | Most recommended option |
| Alfalfa Hay | Young or nursing guinea pigs | Too high in calcium for adults |
| Orchard Hay | Guinea pigs with allergies | Softer texture, less dusty |
| Meadow Hay | Variety in diet | Contains mixed grasses and flowers |
Why hay is crucial:
- Provides essential fiber for digestion
- Helps wear down constantly growing teeth
- Supplies daily calories and nutrients
- Acts as natural bedding material
Your guinea pig cannot survive more than 24-48 hours without hay. After this time, they may develop serious digestive problems that can be life-threatening.
Store hay in a cool, dry place away from moisture and direct sunlight. Always choose hay that looks green, smells sweet, and feels completely dry without any mold.
Remember that hay alone isn’t enough. Your guinea pig also needs vitamin C from fresh vegetables since they cannot make this vitamin on their own.
Alpacas
Alpacas are gentle animals that rely heavily on hay as their main food source. These South American natives have efficient digestive systems that process hay very well.
Daily Hay Requirements
Your alpacas need about 1.5% of their body weight in hay daily. A 125-pound alpaca eats roughly 2-3 pounds of hay per day. This makes them efficient feeders compared to other livestock.
Best Hay Types for Alpacas
Different life stages require specific hay types:
- Timothy hay – Perfect for adult alpacas with moderate protein
- Alfalfa hay – Best for pregnant females and young alpacas
- Grass hay – Ideal for older, non-lactating animals
- Orchard grass hay – Good protein source for mature alpacas
Feeding Guidelines by Life Stage
| Alpaca Type | Daily Feed Amount |
|---|---|
| Adult alpacas | 0.5-0.7% body weight |
| Pregnant females | 0.6-0.8% body weight |
| Nursing mothers | 0.8-0.9% body weight |
| Young alpacas | 0.75-0.85% body weight |
Important Hay Quality Rules
Your alpacas need fresh, high-quality hay to stay healthy. Never feed moldy or dusty hay as it causes serious health problems.
Fescue hay works well for alpacas but should only make up 20% of their diet. Too much fescue can cause digestive issues.
Keep hay available at all times. Alpacas graze throughout the day and need constant access to fiber for proper digestion.
Llamas
Llamas are gentle animals that eat hay as a main part of their diet. These South American animals have simple eating habits that make them easy to feed.
Timothy hay works best for most adult llamas. This type of hay has the right amount of protein and fiber. Timothy hay is lower in protein and calcium compared to alfalfa, making it perfect for grown llamas.
Alfalfa hay is good for young llamas or pregnant females. It has more protein and calcium than timothy hay. But be careful not to give too much alfalfa to older llamas since it can be too rich.
You can also feed your llamas:
- Orchard grass hay
- Bermuda grass hay
- Mixed grass hays
How much hay do llamas need? Feed them about 1-2% of their body weight in hay each day. A 300-pound llama needs about 3-6 pounds of hay daily.
| Hay Type | Best For | Protein Level |
|---|---|---|
| Timothy | Adult llamas | Lower |
| Alfalfa | Young/pregnant llamas | Higher |
| Orchard grass | Picky eaters | Medium |
Store hay in a dry place away from moisture. Moldy hay can make llamas sick. Llamas appreciate a clean and dry feeding area to stay healthy.
Give hay in small meals throughout the day instead of one big feeding. This helps their digestion work better.
Bison
Bison are massive grazers that rely heavily on hay, especially during winter months. These powerful animals can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and need lots of food to maintain their size.
Daily Hay Consumption:
- Adult females: approximately 24 pounds per day
- Adult bulls: around 30 pounds per day
- Bison eat 1.4 to 2.7 percent of their body weight daily
What Types of Hay Bison Prefer
Bison do very well on alfalfa hay and will readily eat it when cut and baled. However, they prefer fresh grass over alfalfa when both are available on pasture.
Ranchers commonly feed bison brome hay during winter months. Many farms cut and bale hay in May or June specifically to feed their bison herds through cold seasons.
Feeding Practices
You’ll find that bison require consistent feeding schedules. Wildlife preserves typically feed bison pellets and hay once daily, using about two buckets of pellets per feeding.
Ranch-raised bison often receive hay combined with range cake supplements. This provides essential vitamins and minerals that plain hay might lack.
Key feeding considerations:
- Provide high-quality, mold-free hay
- Supplement with minerals during winter
- Allow access to fresh water always
- Monitor body condition regularly
Deer
Deer will eat hay, but it’s not their favorite food choice. Hay attracts deer especially during winter months when temperatures drop below 50°F and fresh grass stops growing.
Why Deer Avoid Regular Hay
Most hay is too coarse for deer to digest easily. Their stomachs work differently than farm animals like horses and cows. Regular grass hay can be hard on their digestive system.
Alfalfa Hay Works Better
Deer prefer alfalfa hay over regular grass hay. Alfalfa contains more protein and digestible energy. It’s softer and easier for deer to break down in their stomachs.
Winter Feeding Patterns
During cold months, you might see deer eating hay bales in fields. They do this when their normal food sources become scarce. Fresh plants and browse are still their top choices when available.
Nutritional Needs
| Food Type | Preference Level | Digestibility |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh browse | High | Excellent |
| Alfalfa hay | Medium | Good |
| Grass hay | Low | Poor |
What This Means for You
If you want to help deer in winter, alfalfa hay works better than regular hay. Place it in areas where deer already visit. Remember that deer are forage animals and prefer finding their own natural food sources when possible.
Keep hay off the ground to prevent mold. Moldy hay can make deer sick.
Yaks
Yaks are large, long-haired cattle that live in the mountains of Tibet, Mongolia, and Central Asia. These tough animals need hay to survive, especially during harsh winters.
Wild yaks eat mostly grass, but they also browse on shrubs and lichens. Domestic yaks require good-quality hay as their main food source when fresh pasture isn’t available.
What Types of Hay Yaks Eat
| Hay Type | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Timothy hay | High fiber, easy to digest |
| Alfalfa hay | More protein for milk production |
| Mixed grass hay | Good everyday feeding option |
You should feed yaks more hay and less grain compared to regular cattle. In the wild, yaks survive on eating grass and lichens, so they don’t need much grain.
Three yaks eat about the same amount as one beef cow. This makes them efficient hay consumers for your farm.
During winter, yaks dig through snow to find dried grass underneath. They can survive on lower-quality hay than many other farm animals because of their strong digestive systems.
Your yaks will also need salt blocks and clean water along with their hay. They eat hay year-round but need more during cold months when pasture grass is covered by snow.
Yaks work well in areas where other cattle might struggle to find enough food. Their ability to eat tough, fibrous hay makes them perfect for harsh mountain climates.
Camels
Camels are excellent hay eaters and can consume large amounts daily. Camels eat hay as roughage, which you can provide all day long.
Daily Hay Consumption:
- Two bales of hay per day for adult camels
- Hay acts like fuel to keep them warm
- Each bale typically costs around $8
Your camels will eat hay when other food becomes scarce. They prefer fresh options like dates, carrots, apples, and bananas when available.
Natural Diet Adaptations:
- Desert grasses – dried and low in nutrients
- Thorny plants – saltbush and cacti
- Tree materials – willow and poplar leaves near oases
Camels have special mouth features called papillae that help them chew tough, spiky plants safely. These cone-shaped bumps guide food and protect their mouths.
Zoo camels typically eat grass and hay as their main food source. You should provide hay in covered areas to keep it dry and fresh longer.
Feeding Tips:
- Store hay under shelter
- Provide fresh water nearby
- Mix with other approved foods
- Monitor daily intake
Camels extract maximum nutrition from poor-quality plants like dry hay. Their digestive system works very efficiently to get nutrients from tough plant materials that other animals cannot digest well.
