Compressed hay 'bales'?

[Angeline]

More questions from the n00b! I bought these little hay bales. I did not get loose hay, yet in all the pictures I see, all the GPs have fresh hay. Are the little compressed bales of hay not enough? Do I need to get fresh hay as well?

[envisionary333]

I think they need the fresh hay as well because it contains long-strand fiber. The compressed hay bales are broken up rather than continuous strands. This is just a hunch, though, so hopefully someone else can be more helpful!

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Do you mean hay cubes?

Your pigs need fresh grass hay at all times. Hay cubes are not the same. They need to graze on the long strands all day for their digestive tracts and teeth.

[HowietheGreat]

I am a little unsure what you are comparing as well? A bale of hay is a rather large quantity. Prior to ordering Oxbox hay from my local feed store, I used to buy a bale of timothy/orchard hay from my local farm store. It barely fit in the trunk of my car. Are you buying alfalfa cubes?

[Angeline]

I guess I was unclear. They are "Timothy Cubes". I live very close to a feed store, but don't really want an entire bale of hay. Do they sell small quantities or can I buy the bagged kind from the pet store?

[rabbitsncavyluv]

You can buy the small bags of timothy or other grass hay at the pet store, but buying in bulk is usually more cost effective and certain brands are not as fresh. Kleenmama or Oxbow hay is usually good.

Some feed stores will sell you a flake/ a large trash bag of hay instead of by the entire bale.

[HowietheGreat]

I order 9 pounds of Oxbow hay from my local feed store. I pay about $26 for it. It is much smaller the a bale, but more cost efficent then buying tiny bags. I have 5 pigs to feed. The nine pounds last me about three weeks, sometimes less. It depends on them. I asked my feed store and I found out that they could special order it for me.