August 2005

Feeding Hay Cubes

Hay cubes are hay—just a lot harder.

Hay alternatives include, clockwise from left, chaf, cubes, chopped, pellets.

Hay cubes are actually made of hay that’s been cut into small pieces then compressed. Anything added, such as molasses or oil, will appear on the label. Some people are afraid if they use cubes they won’t be able to see what’s in them, but cubes aren’t like pellets. The hay isn’t finely ground like it is for pellets, it’s only cut/chopped so you see what’s in there.

Evaluate the quality of cubes in much the same way you do hays. They should have a nice green color and a fresh, appealing aroma. Some cubes are harder and more densely packed than others, so you may need to check the…