Types of Hay

[blairie]

The pigs all get unlimited timothy hay & a handful of oxbow orchard grass. The girls aren't as big hay eaters as the boys, though.

The local bunny (incl. guinea pigs & chinchillas) rescue opened a little store/adoption center last month. Rumors have it that our local feed store is closing, and the other one we went to doesn't carry Oxbow products, so I thought I'd check this new place out.

I asked about the hay- $11 for 8 lbs, it's delivered weekly from a local grower so it's always fresh, or something like that. The hay did look good (tons better than the cheap hay I've been buying at Target), so I bought a bag of Timothy. While there, they tried to sell me on their own "special blend".

Their website says the hay is:
"A delicious blend of Oat, Wheat and Barley.
Great for everyday hay eating This one is a favorite!"


She gave me a sample bag of it, and the boys enjoyed it but the girls were still eh about it.

Would it maybe be good in addition to Timothy? The lady made it seem like it was good enough without Timothy as an only hay, but ehhh.

Thanks!

[rabbitsncavyluv]

My rabbits love the 3 way. You can feed it as a treat or extra to the pigs but the grass hay is a better staple.

[blairie]

So as to not start a new thread...

My girls will not eat hay. They might take a bite or two during the day, but they won't eat it.

I've tried to give them less food and more hay, but I haven't been successful in the "hay is good for you!" tries with the girls. The boys have never had a hay problem.

The girls are probably 8-10 months old. I give them timothy hay. They love their Oxbow Cavy Cuisine pellets, they eat veggies without any problems. I did try the blend of hay I mentioned in the original post, but they didn't go crazy for it or eat much of it at all.

Should I try alfalfa hay? Are there other types of hay I should try them on? Any suggestions?

[muffin]

It's very unusual for a guinea pig not to want to eat hay. If I were you I would try to encourage them by mixing in some Oxbow Timithy hay. It is specially recommended for guineas and rabbits that have gone off eating, or won't eat much hay. My three love it. They get regular meadow hay, and will eat Oxbow Orchard grass, but timmy comes first, it's by far their favourite food, maybe even on a par with veggies.

[newpiggiemommy]

I am not sure if you put your hay in a rack or on the ground, but my piggies love to crawl around in it, hide under it, sleep in it, and nibble on it all day long. They would not eat it out of a rack though.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

I wouldn't give them alfalfa. Try a different grass hay like orchard. Pigs also rarely turn their nose up at Kleenmama hay.

[julsie]

I would definitely try offering it in a different way, sort of like newpiggiemommy suggested. We have one of those hay ball things from petsmart, and it used to hang on the wall of our old cage. Kyle loved playing with it, and eating his hay turned into a game. It was always a challenge to try and get the door open, so he could stuff his face in and chow down. Sometimes when he's playing, he drags all the hay out and spreads it on the floor of his cage, but I've never seen him actually eat it once it's on the ground. Mix things up a little, and maybe that will get their attention.

[blairie]

They get hay in a hay rack and hay on the ground. They get hay on the ground on both levels of their cage.

I bought Oxbow's Timothy & Alfalfa yesterday. I gave the girls a small amount of each, and the alfalfa was immediately enjoyed but the timothy was ignored. In addition to timothy hay, and the rescue's 3-blend, I've tried the girls on orchard in the past and they've ignored it. I'm going to try to mix a tiny bit of the alfalfa in with the timothy to see if it'll entice them to start eating.

If not, I'll look into ordering KM.

Thanks for your suggestions.

[Love4Piggers]

I had bought Kaytee timothy for my boys, until I found this board. And I have been feeding them KM's ever since. HUGE difference in the amount of hay they eat, it's great. I got 1/2 3rd cut timothy, and 1/2 bluegrass, and they are absolutely nuts for both. KM's hay is so much fresher and smells so much better, and I know it must taste better, it's been totally worth it to see my boys so happy. And they have a 1x2 hay room always filled with hay. They love to lay in the fresh hay while eating it. I would suggest giving KM's a try, if Oxbow doesn't work out. Good luck.

[blairie]

Love4Piggers,

Thanks. My boys used to eat Kaytee too but now I found fresher hay locally so they (& the girls) are getting that.

After giving the girls some alfalfa for two nights, they've started to pick at the orchard & timothy more. We gave them alfalfa at the suggestion of someone who has rabbits since that's the only way she got her rabbit to start eating hay.

I was beyond frustrated that they wouldn't touch hay, and am now feeling much better about the situation.

[leilee]

Hello, I keep reading you all talk about ordering hay from KM? what is KM? and what is the website? I'm so frustrated with buying little bags of hay that only last for a few weeks....I need more...my piggies eat sooooo much of it! Thanks in advance!

[blairie]

KM = kleenmama

Website = Kleenmama's Hayloft :: Home

KM has awesome hay, from what everyone says.

[Ly&Pigs]

KM's hay is to die for. Some say the bluegrass is like piggie crack. My girls think it's piggie crack. They love it. The 3rd cut timothy is also to die for.

[leilee]

Originally Posted by blairie

KM = kleenmama

Website = Kleenmama's Hayloft :: Home

KM has awesome hay, from what everyone says.

Thanks!

[Feylin]

It IS like piggy crack- My boys were not big into hay before I bought some bluegrass from KM. Now I get yelled at if the hayrack ever gets too low!

[fourboys4now]

The next time I buy hay in bulk I'll be buying km timothy hay. Ly, the blue grass you were speaking of, do you mix it equally with the timothy hay, or do you feed it occasionally? I've never bought anything buy timothy hay. Thanks in advance!

[Love4Piggers]

I don't know what Ly and others do, but I usually go every other day. One day they get bluegrass all day, the next day KM's 3rd cut Timothy, (which is also like piggy crack, they go nuts for the stuff!) and so on. Sometimes I mix them both together. They have a 1x2 hayroom filled with hay, so they stay pretty happy.

[bamby71994]

What are some good qualtie brands for hay? I know for sure kaytee is not. I can not order online, I'm not allowed too.