Hay Quality Evaluation

Citation

Ullrey, Duane E. (1997) Hay Quality Evaluation in Nutrition Advisory Group Handbook

Abstract

Hay is the foundation of dietary husbandry for most captive herbivores, and its quality determines the need for other feeds. Quality can be high, low, or in between, but standards that are appropriate for hay fed to lactating dairy cows may be different than standards for hay fed to mature elephants. Hay that is high in protein and low in fiber is usually the most expensive and may be rated of best quality for supporting rapid growth or high levels of production in farm animals. However, considering the numbers of species and life stages of herbivores that must be fed in zoos, hays that meet their various nutrient and functional requirements at reasonable cost may be most appropriate for the task. In most zoos, two or three different hays will be required, and realistic purchasing specifications should be developed that are consistent with the needs of herbivores in the zoo collection and the local availability of hay types.

NAG FS001 97 Hay -JONI FEB 24, 2002 MODIFIED.pdf     92 KB