alfalfa blocks/cubes (compressed) -- opinions, please

[webjetter]

Has anyone tried alfalfa cubes for their pre-adult piggies? The feed store in my town has them. I inquired and was told they are made from compressed Alfalfa hay which is kiln dried. They said the company that makes them is Seminole Feed, so I looked them up online and called to ask for an ingredients list. The nutritionist called me back and said he's pretty sure there are no additives, just Alfalfa hay mixed with water which was compressed/squeezed into cubes. This feed store buys gigantic bags for horses and then divides them into large ziplock bags for people who don't need much. The ziplock looked like it had 25-35 cubes in it.

I wondered if I should see if my 2 girls like them, they are just under 6 months old so I figure if they like them I can give them cubes for a few months until they reach adulthood. It seems like a good idea since they'd get lots more hay in a smaller package, it's less expensive and less messy than the hay, and since the cubes are so hard it would help with the wearing down of their little teeth.

What do you guys think? Should I present them to the piggie girls? If so, should I use them instead of Alfalfa hay or in addition to it?

Thanks!

[piggerz]

Alfalfa is better for pregnant cavies and very young babies. Otherwise I would feed timothy hay, bluegrass or orchard grass. Mine go nuts for timothy hay, and they love the compressed cubes too.

Piggerz

[chesneycwgrl]

I feed both, they can then choose. Hay lasts a little longer in the cages too!

[Ly&Pigs]

Compressed cubes of hay should never replace loose hay. They need the long strands of loose hay for their teeth and for their digestion. All pigs of all ages should have unlimited access to grass hay. Young pigs, pregnant pigs and nursing moms can have alfalfa in addition to grass hay.

The blocks won't help with their teeth the way long loose hay will.

Personally, I would stick with regular loose hay and leave the cubes at the store.

[webjetter]

Oops, I forgot to mention that they have unlimited Timothy Hay too ... the alfalfa question was only regarding replacing the alfalfa hay. Sorry I wasn't clear on that.

[Ly&Pigs]

Again, compressed cubes should not replace loose hay be it alfalfa or grass hay.

[webjetter]

Thank you so much for the advice. I didn't realize the hay is actually better for their teeth and digestion than cubes would be. I'll keep feeding both hays and forget the cubes. I love how much I learn on this forum!

[new2piggies]

I would start with the smallest amount the store will let you buy. My mom bought some as a "baby gift" for our girls, and they have no interest in them.

[Popcorn's pet]

Popcorn and Lily hate the cubes. I've tried them a few times, and each time I later found the cube pushed into a corner.

[mommyoffive]

I give my kids both loose hay and cubes. That way if their to lazy to walk across their cage (Its a 2 by 6) they can just nah on their cubes.