Difference Between Hay and Straw

Hay is a crop that is grown and harvested as a feed crop for cattle, horses and other farm animals. Straw on the other hand is a byproduct of a grain crop; in our area it's usually usually wheat straw that we see. ... Hay often is made up of a combination of different plants growing in a field or meadow.

1. Which is better hay or straw?
2. Is Straw better than hay for bedding?
3. Do horses eat hay or straw?
4. Which is cheaper hay or straw?
5. Is hay just dried grass?
6. Why are hay bales left in fields?
7. Is Straw dried hay?
8. Can I use old hay for bedding?
9. Is Straw warmer than shavings?
10. Will horses stop eating when they are full?
11. Can eating straw cause colic in horses?
12. Does Straw have any nutritional value?

Which is better hay or straw?

Straw is the bare stalk remaining after a nutritious seed head, such as barley or wheat has been harvested. ... If your goal is simply to cover the soil, as for paths, then straw is fine. If your goal is to enrich your soil, then the nutritious hay is much better.

Is Straw better than hay for bedding?

Straw is normally used for a bedding material, while hay is used as a feed supplement. Straw is dried out and works well for building nests and providing cushioning for animals to sleep in. ... Straw is also more practical to use as bedding than hay is, because of its lower cost.

Do horses eat hay or straw?

While straw is not as nutritious as hay, it is safe for horses to eat and can be a source of beneficial roughage. In contrast, the horses on wood shavings paused less frequently while consuming their hay meal and did not have anything to eat once finished.

Which is cheaper hay or straw?

Straw is far less expensive than hay in our area, selling for under $4/square bale. ... Since hay is more nutritious but more expensive, we buy hay solely for the horses to eat. Since straw is cheaper, dried and therefore less likely to mold or attract moisture, we buy straw for the backyard chicken coop and nesting boxes.

Is hay just dried grass?

Hay is grass, legumes, or other herbaceous plants that have been cut and dried to be stored for use as animal fodder, particularly for large grazing animals raised as livestock, such as cattle, horses, goats, and sheep. However, it is also fed to smaller domesticated animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs.

Why are hay bales left in fields?

If they are scattered around the field the farmer is just waiting for a convenient time to pick them up and move them. If lined up along the edge of the field they are being stored there. Big round bales can handle being left outside, and even if the outside looks weathered the inside will be good for a year or longer.

Is Straw dried hay?

Unlike hay, straw is not usually used as livestock feed because it isn't very nutritious, especially dry straw. Straw is made by cutting and forming the hollow stocks that are left after grain is harvested. Light and fluffy, straw is excellent bedding for animals. ... The hay is then dried.

Can I use old hay for bedding?

If your normal bedding material is not available or you just mess up and forget to keep enough of the normal stuff on hand, old hay can substitute.

Is Straw warmer than shavings?

Because wood shavings can be warmer than straw, the article recomments blending wood shavings with straw for animal bedding in cold weather. ... “To keep bedding dry, you might want to consider adding a layer of sawdust or sand underneath to help absorb moisture.

Will horses stop eating when they are full?

In general, horses will spend less time grazing good-quality pasture, but this is not always true. ... Horses do not have the ability to control their eating so that they will stop eating when they have met their nutrient requirements. They will continue to eat, which can lead to digestive and lameness problems.

Can eating straw cause colic in horses?

If horses eat a large volume of straw, this lignin fiber accumulates in the digestive system and it can plug (impact) the digestive system. This results in severe colic and even death if not properly treated. Horses that are well- fed normally do not eat large volumes of straw bedding.

Does Straw have any nutritional value?

Straws are typically high in fiber and low in crude protein and energy making them an excellent forage in situations where dietary energy or protein dilution is desired. ... Some observations on nutrient compositions of straws are as follows. Energy contents of straw (total digestible nutrients; TDN) vary from 25% to 55%.