Which one is best?

[auburnmare5]

I am looking at both Oxbow and KM's hay now.
Which brand is better?
Thanks

[auburnmare5]

Also, which brand of pellet is best?
Thanks again

[i-love-nev]

I would say typically oxbow pellets and KM hay! I have heard that KM's pellets are not so good, the oxbow timothy hay is great though.

[newpiggiemommy]

My piggies love the KM pellets and hay! I tried the oxbow pellets and hay and they ate it but they did NOT love it!

I think KM is cheaper as well!

[auburnmare5]

Thank You i-love-nev and newpiggiemommy!

Your responses are very helpful and informative!

I will try and see if my parents will order it!

Thanks again

[Percy's Mom]

Originally Posted by i-love-nev

I have heard that KM's pellets are not so good,

Where did you hear this? KM's pellets are excellent. She formulated them specifically for high quality nutrition. As far as which is better for either hay or pellets though, both Oxbow and KM have great products. Personally, I use hay and pellets from KM, but Oxbow is very good nutritionwise as well. Oxbow can often be found in retail stores and veterinarians' offices. Kleenmama's products can only be purchased through her website.

Oxbow Pet Products | Welcome
Kleenmama's Hayloft :: Home

[Feylin]

In addition to everything Percy's Mom just said, part of the reason I chose KM is that she is a small business....not a large company. I'd rather support local small businesses, just as a personal choice.

[pigsforlife]

KMs products are overall better. Her pellets were formulated by herself, and tend to be better for the pigs. Cant get KMs products here in Australia, but her hay looks so green, soft and with longer strands.

Oxbows pellets are fantastic as well. Their hay (which I use as a supplement to the oaten hay I get from the feed store) is green and soft, but the strands are small.

[steve_and_pigs]

Ha! A KM/Oxbow showdown. It was only a matter of time.

I'd like to know where i-love-nev heard that KM was not so good, and if any specific reason was given. Probably somebody had a guinea pig that just didn't like them or something, but that is a total guess.

I've read that pigs are commonly shy to any new food, so just because they respond slowly to a new pellet or hay, it doesn't necessarily mean that they won't like it. That applies to any brand. Of course, jumping all over it usually means that they like it, or it at least means that they are very hungry!

Both these brands are obviously great. One may be nutritionally superior to the other (I don't know which), but you might consider other things as well, like which one is grown/manufactured closer to where you live, or which company you think you share more values with. You could also consider price, and where you would buy them. Do you have a local pet supply store (non-pet selling) that you want to patronize, or are the local stores all bad, making online a better option. How do the shipping costs vary?

I'm sure you could come up with a lot of considerations in addition to the very important nutritional comparison.

[Ellen]

I haven't had guinea pigs for just over a year, but when I do get some piggies again this thread will be good to reference to!

The only main difference I can really see by looking at the websites is that Oxbow is more expensive. Where you can get a 5 lb. bag of pellets for $7.75 from Oxbow, you can get a 10 lb. bag for $8.00 from KM.

[pigsforlife]

I did not word my last post very well. Nutritionally KMs is better. The first ingredient of a pellet should be hay. Oxbows first ingredient is meal which isnt the same thing as hay. I am not very good at reading and understanding the labels on both of the products though I am trying. If someone else wants to compare the 2 products for themselves here is the nutritional info:
KMs Pellets: Kleenmama's Hayloft :: Fortified Feeds
Oxbows Cavy Cuisine: Oxbow Pet Products | Cavy Cuisine

I agree with you steve_and_pigs, in that for some it is not only the nutritional facts, but price. KMs is apparently cheaper, even with shipping added in. Although some prefer to not order online in which case some love the convenience of popping down to a store that stocks Oxbow. Some, like myself, can not even get KMs products due to where we live.

After saying all of this, I am very pleased with the quality of Oxbows pellets as a pose to the bag of pellets I used to get from City Farmers (which didnt have a label on it and smelt disgusting). They are greener, fresher and the girls love them. Unfortunatley we can currently only get the smallest bag, at a price of $22, but it is worth every cent.

As for hay. In my experience with Oxbows Timothy Hay, the strands are small, the bag dusty but the overall hay green and soft. I believe that KMs hay has longer strands (although it depends what cut it is), greener (if you can imagine) and softer.

Again, I absolutley love Oxbows Timothy hay, but with the 15oz bag costing $16 and no larger sizes available I have to resort to using it as a supplement only. The oaten hay which I get from City Farmers is green (but no way near as green as oxbows hay), with long strands and rather stalky.

[Ellen]

Originally Posted by pigsforlife

The first ingredient of a pellet should be hay.

Is that why the Timothy Choice pellet is ranked higher than the Alfalfa Complete pellet in her store's best sellers list? What other reasons do people pick the timothy over the alfalfa?

[pigsforlife]

No.

Timothy based pellets are for adult pigs although some use them for youngsters as well (and just supplement with a bit of alfalfa hay ((must always have timothy hay)) or higher in calcium veggies). Alfalfa based pellets can be given to little babies and pregnant sows as they are higher in calcium.

[fourboys4now]

I recently got a shipment of the Oxbow pellets. I bought 50 pounds and with shipping it was a little over $54.00. So a little over a $1 a pound. My boys seem to like it. I've never tried Km pellets though. On Monday I ordered 35 pounds of Km hay and with shipping it was around $48.00. I had to buy a bag of Oxbow hay just to feed to my boys until I get this shipment and a 40 ounce bag at a local store was just under $10.00. I can't wait to get the Km hay. I would definitely recommend buying pellets and hay online, even though it may be higher, you will get more for your money per pound.

[Ly&Pigs]

Originally Posted by pigsforlife

No.

Timothy based pellets are for adult pigs although some use them for youngsters as well (and just supplement with a bit of alfalfa hay ((must always have timothy hay)) or higher in calcium veggies). Alfalfa based pellets can be given to little babies and pregnant sows as they are higher in calcium.

Well, not necessarily must always have timothy hay but must always have some type of grass hay. There are several varieties of grass hays.

[pigsforlife]

Originally Posted by Ly&Pigs

Well, not necessarily must always have timothy hay but must always have some type of grass hay. There are several varieties of grass hays.

In pellets?

Addition:

Oh I understand what you mean.

[Ly&Pigs]

Hay dear, hay.