Table of Contents
What plant does straw come from?
Straw is an agricultural byproduct consisting of the dry stalks of cereal plants after the grain and chaff have been removed. It makes up about half of the yield of cereal crops such as barley, oats, rice, rye and wheat.
Does hay come from plants?
Hay is made from the stems, leaves, and seed heads of plants that are fresh. It is cut and baled when it has the most nutritional value, and is fed to livestock.
Is hay a straw?
Straw is a stalk, usually a waste product of wheat, that’s used as bedding for barnyard animals. Hay—typically alfalfa or a grass—is used as animal feed. A. Straw and hay both begin life the same way—as a field crop.
Can you use hay instead of straw to cover grass seed?
If you don’t have access to straw, you can substitute hay, but hay often brings problems with it in the form of weed seeds that can spell disaster for your new lawn. Treating the hay before you spread it will eliminate most of the weed seeds so they don’t end up sprouting in the middle of your new lawn.
Is straw cheaper than hay?
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 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.
Do rabbits eat straw or hay?
Hay is dried grass and the most vital part of a rabbit’s diet. Straw is dried stalks from grain crops and is much more suitable for bedding as it is warmer and less likely to be eaten. It’s not a problem if rabbits eat straw but there are few nutrients and they must be given good quality hay to eat.
Is straw dried out hay?
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. It is not moist like hay and is unlikely to mold.
Will grass grow without straw?
So, can you use straw to cover grass seed? It is not a must you cover grass seed with straw if you prepared the soil properly for planting. However, you may need to use straw as mulch to help retain soil moisture and heat for better germination and also prevent seeds from being washed away.
Can you grow grass with just hay?
Hay helps grass seed grow in several ways. Grass seed needs to stay consistently moist to germinate, and spreading hay over the area helps hold in moisture without letting the ground get too wet, which could make the seeds moldy.
What is better straw or hay?
Straw is the stem of individual wheat plants. It is hollow and, because of its structure, much more brittle than grass hay. Straw breaks down quickly under a dog, creating a pile of straw dust. Indeed, it is better than nothing, but if used, it should be changed every few days.
What is the difference between straw and hay?
The main difference between straw and hay is that hay is the actual product, whereas straw is a by-product that is leftover after its main purpose is done. As it is a by-product it is much less nutritious than hay, which is why hay is more preferred as fodder, i.e. food for livestock.
What is Hay vs Straw?
Hay is a crop that is grown specifically for the purpose of creating hay, while straw is a byproduct of different kinds of crops. Hay is geared toward being a nutrient-rich food for livestock, while straw is more often used for bedding instead of food.
Is hay or straw good for bedding?
Straw is dried out and works well for building nests and providing cushioning for animals to sleep in. It is not moist like hay and is unlikely to mold. Straw is also more practical to use as bedding than hay is, because of its lower cost.