Hay Guides — Expert Tips and Feeding Articles for Every Animal
Welcome to the Hay Hub library of hay guides. Whether you keep horses, cattle, sheep, goats, rabbits or guinea pigs, our hay guides walk you through everything: which cut to choose, how much to feed, how to store bales, and how to spot quality issues. Every article is written by people who have spent years sourcing and inspecting forage across Europe.
What you’ll find in our hay guides
Our hay guides cover the practical questions buyers actually ask: how to compare cuts of Crau hay, why Timothy hay suits racehorses, what makes alfalfa different from grass hay, and how to read a hay analysis. Each guide links straight to relevant products in our shop so you can put advice into action.
- Feeding hay guides — how much hay per day per animal, by weight and activity level
- Storage hay guides — keeping bales dry, dust-free and nutritious for up to 18 months
- Cut comparison hay guides — 1st, 2nd and 3rd cut explained for AOP Crau hay
- Bedding hay guides — wheat straw vs rice straw for horse boxes and small pets
- Seasonal hay guides — winter feeding, spring transition, summer storage
Hay guides by animal
Every species needs a slightly different approach. Browse our hay guides organised by the animal you care for. We work with equine vets and small-pet specialists to keep recommendations evidence-based.
- Horses — sport horses, retirees, broodmares; pick a Timothy or Crau 1st cut for performance
- Cattle and dairy cows — protein-rich alfalfa for milk yield
- Sheep and goats — high-fibre meadow hay for cellulose
- Rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas — low-calcium Timothy hay for adult small pets
Why trust Hay Hub guides?
We don’t write theoretical hay guides. Our team has personally sourced AOP-certified Crau hay, walked the Camargue rice fields where our straw comes from, and inspected thousands of bales for moisture, mould and dust. When we recommend a hay or storage method, we’ve tested it. For the official AOP standards behind our flagship Crau range, see the French INAO.
How to use these hay guides
Read the relevant hay guide first, then head to our shop to order. Each product page links back to the matching guide. If you want a tailored recommendation for a specific herd or facility, get in touch and we’ll help you choose.
New hay guides are added each month — follow the topics that matter to your animals.