Timothy hay

[MissEdie]

Have you used and for what?
I have heard good and bad things about it and birds.

[debbie276]

I've used it many times for nesting material.

[Justino222]

ive used it for nesting material. alfalfa i think too, not sure though

[Sally]

I have been using a hay mixture that is timothy, brome, and orchard grass, and I love it as bedding in the bottom of my breeding cages. Many of the birds also use it as nesting material, though many of my waxbills still prefer the coco fiber. I cannot get it any longer, it was brought into this area last year when we had a shortage of hay. Normally, we have coastal bermuda hay versus timothy--similar, actually.

[nixity]

I personally prefer Orchard Grass if you can get it as opposed to Timothy. The reason being that Timothy (the stuff sold in Pet Stores) usually has numerous pieces that are really thick and pointy and I've had it puncture eggs and even cause abrasions on chicks.

The orchard grass is smooth and soft. It's usually sold in the small animal sections. The brand I get is OxBow I believe.

[debbie276]

Your right Tiffany, it is stiff. I leave an area of grass in the rear of my property grow long and cut that for nesting material. It's nice and soft even when dry. While it's green the owls have a ball weaving their nests, they attack the pile before I even turn to leave the aviary. Though in a pinch I've used Timothy hay

[nixity]

Yeah what I tend to do (since I have it) is put Timothy hay on the very bottom of the boxes because it is extremely absorbent, and then I put the orchard grass and sisal on top