Timothy Hay Consistency?

[TwoOfaKind]

I was wondering what is a good consistency for Timothy hay? I have noticed that alot of times the hay I get seems to be really crisp. Some of the other hay is softer, but it is not timothy (i.e., I think it was orchard grass or bermuda that was softer?)

My vet told me that Timothy was the best to use.

Advice?
Thanks!

[Ly&Pigs]

Timothy hay will vary in consistancy depending on where it was grown, when it was harvested, soil contents, etc. Usually first cut is more courser than 3rd cut.

Any grass hay is fine to feed. Many people seem to prefer timothy over others but I have used several types of grass hays for my girls. If your pigs are under 6 months old you may want to add some alfalfa hay for calcium content.

You are giving veggies and a high quality pellet right? High quality pellets are Oxbow and Kleenmama's.

[TheSnufflenoses]

The pet store hay is really dry, crumbly, and not good quality. I think it gives my piggles the sneezes/allergies. I had to use it for a while until I could find a store that could get the Oxbow products.
Oxbow Pet Products | Welcome

The Oxbow products are hands-down the best pellet food and hay you can get. Use their store locator to see if any stores in your area carry their products. Often, even if the store doesn't carry guinea pig pellets and hay they can ORDER it from Oxbow no charge and you can just go to the store and pick it up when it comes in. That's what I am doing. Otherwise, you can buy it online and it really isn't all that expensive.

Also, note that if your piggies are under 6 months old (some say 1 year), they should have unlimited accesss to an alfalfa based pellet like Cavy Performance, unlimited Timothy hay, and daily amounts of alfalfa hay (though some say if you have an alfalfa based pellet the alfalfa hay isn't needed). The alfalfa is good for growing/young cavies but not for adults. After a year you should switch to a timothy based pellet like Cavy Cuisine as that is what is best for adult guinea pigs nutritionally.
Oxbow Pet Products | Oxbow Academy

Kleenmama's (KM's) Hayloft also has good quality hay and feed but it's only available online, I believe.
Kleenmama's Hayloft :: Home

Hope that helps sounds correct to everyone.

[Ly&Pigs]

The Oxbow products are hands-down the best pellet food and hay you can get.

I think you will find a few of us that will say that Kleenmama's pellets and hay are the best you can get. She formulated her pellets especially for guinea pigs so they only contain what they need and not all the extra "junk". She is also very picky about what farmers she buys her hays from so you know you are getting premium fresh hays. They are only available through online ordering but they are definately worth the cost.

[TwoOfaKind]

I feed my piggies timothy based pellets (Nutriphase) -

I was getting my viatmin C drops from Oxbow, but now get children 100mg viatmin C drops - and I cut it into quarters and give them each 1/4 per day, which someone on GuineaLynx suggested (At this point,I stopped the vitamin drops in water and switched to pure water) My piggies also get orange in the evening. They get green leaf lettuce daily, and unlimited hay daily (timothy) when I see that they are empty, I will give them more (I give it to them in small quantities though, but do not limit how often). Very occasionally I will give them a taste of other type fruits. I also have critical care that I got at my vet, and I have been giving them each some of that - which has helped them both alot and prompted them to eat more on their own.

What is the difference between Alfalfa, Timothy, Bermuda, etc.? I had heard to stick with Timothy (vet) - so I have never even looked into any other type.

Thanks again for all your help everyone!

BTW, Bailey is doing better bit by bit - I am going to build a C&C cage in the meantime, that way when Bailey is better I can introduce Bailey and Reeses and they will have a completely neutral home, hopefully to lessen any dominance issues.

Have a good Saturday everyone

[Ly&Pigs]

I feed my piggies timothy based pellets (Nutriphase)

Your pigs would be better off if you ditch the nutriphase and get them a better quality pellet such as Oxbow or KM's. Nutriphase is a very poor quality pellet manufactured for PetNotSoSmart.

What is the difference between Alfalfa, Timothy, Bermuda, etc.? I had heard to stick with Timothy (vet) - so I have never even looked into any other type.

Alfalfa is a legume hay. It's high in calcium but makes a good supplement for young pigs or pregnant/nursing moms. It's not a good hay for pigs over 6 months as it is high in calcium.

All pigs no matter the age need unlimited grass hay. Timothy, bermuda, sweet meadow, orchard, bluegrass, etc. are all varieties of grass hays. Most are very similar in nutritional makeup so it doesn't matter which type you use or combination of types.

So if I am correct in reading your thread, they only get green leaf lettuce as far as veggies and a piece of orange a day? The orange needs to be cut back to about twice per week. Oranges are very acidic and can cause mouth sores and also contain high sugar. If you give bell pepper (high in Vit. C) daily and other veggies that would eliminate the need for oranges daily.
If you haven't seen the nutrition charts sticky thread at the top of this forum, you may want to go have a look at it.

[NickM]

Greetings

Just to re-enforce everyone else;

Timothy hay is the best for adults. Pet store hay can be bad. Some people swear by certain products. I do not believe all pet store products are all that bad. I believe you can get good products at some stores, if you have no problem supporting pet stores which many animal lovers refuse to do..

Everyone else is right though. Oxbow is probably your piggies best bet. Though I know a lot of animal experts who think theres no problem with pet store foods. It really depends on many different things.