We're allergic to hay!!!

[corie dora]

So we've had our pigs for a little over 2 wheeks now.

No allergie problems with the pigs themselves, but when we open up the container the hay is kept in....

Both me and my 4 yo son start coughing and wheezing. Both of us have allergy induced asthma, him more so than I. Once its in the cage its fine. Its just opening the container.

This is just alfalfa hay. Our pigs are young. I didn't realize they need timothy in addtion to that until today, though we do feed them a blend of fresh grasses daily, (orchard, barnyard, kentucky, 2 different fescues and likely more).

Anyhow will this be ongoing....is dust a problem with the timothy as well, or is it limited to the alfalfa?

Alternatively, can I feed them fresh alfalfa instead? What about a blend of other calcium rich fresh leguminous forages such as red clover, alfalfa, trefoil and vetch, and just leave the dried alfalfa out all together? I would of course offer the dried timothy in addition assuming it isn't as sneezy.

[envisionary333]

Have you tried wearing a breathing mask that blocks dust? If you only have trouble when you first open the bag, that might be a simple solution. All kind of hay and bedding have some level of dust, unfortunately. As for the other grasses, I really am not familiar with them so I'm not much help, sorry! I'm pretty sure they require the timothy hay for the long strand fiber and low calcium content, though. Alfalfa is acceptable only while the pigs are still growing, but the high calcium content can be a problem as they get older and should be used sparingly.
I hope that helps a little. Good luck!

[Ly&Pigs]

Its just opening the container.

What type of container are you storing hay in? It needs to breathe so should be in some sort of open container. I keep hay either in a large open topped box or in large rubbermaid/sterlite containers without the lid.

Some good hay for those with allergies is bluegrass. I'd also be careful about feeding fescue.

If you up the amount of calcium enriched veggies until they are 6 months old or if you have them on an alfalfa based pellet, you can skip the alfalfa hay altogether provided you are giving unlimited grass hay.

[Piggersrule]

I have asthma and all the hays cause me to have breathing problems. Bluegrass is the worst for me. I find that when I refill their racks I wear a mask especially designed for allergies and has helped alot.

[chesneycwgrl]

I have recently noticed that every time I give hay, within seconds I start sneezing uncontrollably, and my lungs hurt for a few hours when I take deep breaths.

I think I may try bluegrass!

[FoolOnTheHill]

You could get a load of paper bags and ask someone to fill each one, then each day just throw the old one away and pop the new bag in the cage. This way the dust won't get out so much, and it's quite tidy.

[VoodooJoint]

My friend who I adopted out a couple of boars to has severe hay allergies as does her husband and sons. I supply her with Oxbow Orchard grass/Blue grass hay and they have no allergic reactions at all.

[Partera]

What would you all say about someone who never handles the hay or the pigs but still is having allergy induced asthma attacks? My sister lives with us and she has been basically dying for the past month, nothing can rein her asthma in and I suspect it is the hay.

She has no contact with the hay itself, it's Oxbow timothy hay...

[VoodooJoint]

The dust from the hay and the dander from the animals can get in the air. It's also on your clothing and you track it all over the house.

All I can recommend is that you have a long sleeve shirt to wear when you dole out hay and handle the pigs. Take it off an leave it by the pigs. It will help hold down the spread of hair and dander on your clothing.

You can also get an air purifier to put by the pigs to help get the dust out of the air. Replacing your regular air conditioning/heat air filters with the hepa types will also help.