Rack of Hay

[Feather_n_Coca]

Ok. I went out and bought a hay rack today. I had read that laying the hay on the ground in the cage was bad. I still threw some one the ground for good measure, however, I dont think my pigges are eating the hay. And another question. I talked to the vet about the sex issue about Coca (she's is girl!!!!), and she told me that I needed to feed the piggies only Timothy Hay pellets. Is this true? I have purchased LM Animal Farms brand Guinea Pig Gourment Diet food. I use the same brand for my hamster and my bird. They do like it, but I dont want them eating the wrong stuff. So what do you guys feed your little ones? And I am considering adopting another pigge. She is 6-7 months old. I have yet to see her. There is a guy here in SA that is wanting to get rid of her. Are there any draw backs to adoping an older piggie?

[rabbitsncavyluv]

That's a bad pellet choice. I wouldn't even be feeding it to your hamster or birds. It's a pellet mix with colored bits and seeds/nuts for one, and it's made by Hartz, the worst brand you can be feeding. Have you read the diet info here?

I don't know where you were reading that, but it's fine to spread the hay on the ground. The pigs like to sleep, play in it and munch. You just need to refresh it throughout the day.

[Jennicat]

Ditto to the Hartz badness, your vet is right, guinea pigs need a timothy based pellet (if they're adults).

Also, hay on the ground can be bad, if they have a tendency to sit and pee on it and you don't clean it out every day, it can mold and be quite nasty. But as rabbitsncavyluv said, as long as you're refreshing it, it should be fine on the ground.

[Ly&Pigs]

I had read that laying the hay on the ground in the cage was bad.

It's not bad, not sure where you read that. They like to play in it, lay in it, and run through it.

I talked to the vet about the sex issue about Coca (she's is girl!!!!), and she told me that I needed to feed the piggies only Timothy Hay pellets. Is this true? I have purchased LM Animal Farms brand Guinea Pig Gourment Diet food.

If your pigs are over 6 months, it is better to feed timothy based pellets. You can feed alfalfa ones but you have to severely limit the intake once they reach one year of age. I'd also dump the LM Animal Farms Guinea pig gourmet and get some high quality plain pellets.

There are 3 major things wrong with pellet mixes.
1) The pigs eat the junky bits and pieces and leave the pellets in the dish.
2) The junky bits and pieces are a major choking hazard.
3) Pellet mixes are known to cause obesity in guinea pigs.

So what do you guys feed your little ones?

The 3 top brands of pellets are KM's pellets (www.kmshayloft.com), Oxbow pellets (Oxbow Pet Products | Welcome) and lastly Mazuri 5664.

Are there any draw backs to adoping an older piggie?

No. But if she's only 6-7 months, I wouldn't call that an older piggie. She's still very young.

[Feather_n_Coca]

Ok. I have gone to the website for Kleenmama's hay and like what I see. Which hay is better? I have been getting the Timothy Hay at the store and really dont know the difference. Will my pigges? I truly want the best for them. I tend to spoil all my pets. My birds cage looks like a playground. I have added more stuff to the Guinea pigs cage.

[Feather_n_Coca]

Ok....Now, I added the pellets to my cart and went to check out to see how much shipping is...Holy Moly. Thats way more then I expected. I picked the 10lb bag and the shipping is $13 + 9 for pellets. Surely to God there is a place here in SA that carries this?

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Kleenmama is only available online. You can buy Oxbow locally: Oxbow Pet Products | Welcome

[Ly&Pigs]

If you order in larger quantities the prices are actually cheaper even with shipping. Hay can be stored for up to one year in a dark, dry place. Pellets can be frozen for up to one year. Ordering larger amounts also means spending less money in the long run as you don't have to order as often.

Ok. I have gone to the website for Kleenmama's hay and like what I see. Which hay is better?

All KM's hays are great. It's basically the pigs personal preference. Her bluegrass if often referred to as piggy crack as many pigs go nuts over it, but there are some pigs who don't like it as much as the timothy. I'd suggest getting a split box of timothy/bluegrass and see which your pigs like better.

[Jenni_Feathers]

They do need a Timothy based pellet.

[envisionary333]

Some vets carry Oxbow hay and pellets for sale, so you might try calling around. Otherwise, if you buy in bulk you can save some money in the long run. Just make sure to store the excess in sealed containers or bags in a cool, dark place. I have heard of freezing pellets until you need to use them as well. Hay, on the other hand, needs ventilation when it is stored. A cardboard box with some holes in it would work just fine.

[pignewton]

Make sure to call vets in your area regarding the Oxbow, I have found several in my area that sell it but they are not listed on the Oxbow web site.

[Piggersrule]

Originally Posted by Jenni_Feathers

They do need a Timothy based pellet.

Guinea pigs over the age of 6 months should be fed Timothy based pellets, under 6 months can be fed Alfalfa pellets.