So I've been sourcing hay...

[soccermama]

Well, after realizing that hay racks are driving *me* nuts (trying to devise the PERFECT one, LOL) I'm almost "set" on just having a hay area instead. As such, I've been hunting around locally for better priced hay.

At one small mom/pop type pet store I found 40oz. Oxbow Timothy for $8.99+tax

At a local-ish feed store I found the same for $6.95 so that's an improvement. They also sell a 25# box of Oxbow Timothy Hay for $31.00.
(That seems like a TON of hay...anyone have a size comparison to offer for me? I can't picture it in my mind.)

Then at a different, local-ish feed store I found they sell Timothy hay in bags for $2.00 (but they guy didn't know the actual sizing???!) so I'll have to probably just go over there and inquire first hand. I'm GUESSING it would be the smaller bread-loaf size bags. However, that same feed store sells bales of Timothy/Alfalfa for just $5.50.

But, in my reading, I thought I'd seen something that Alfalfa was only for "occasional use" since it was higher in calcium (?) If that is correct (if I remember correctly) would this not be suitable then?

Also, the first feed store also sells pellets.. brands of Fiesta (i think those are not so good, right, lots of "fillers"?) and a brand i've never heard of called Vitadiet. Any coments on either of those?

Thanks in advance!

[Ly&Pigs]

Your best bet would be the Oxbow timothy hay 25lb. box. It would last a while. Most likely a better bargain than buying the smaller bags over time. Alfalfa is a supplement for pigs under 6 months and a very occasional treat for pigs over 6 months.

I wouldn't buy any of the pellet brands the feedstore is offering. They are all low quality garbage.

[soccermama]

okay super to know. I was thinking that same thing with regards to the baled hay mixture. Thanks!

[relay]

Go with the ox-bow, it's the best! I wouldn't suggest the alfalfa/timothy hay mix. My guinea pig, who was 3, was eating a small amount of alfalfa hay for about a week because I ran out of timothy hay and he died about 3 months later due to calcium stones. Granted, the stones might not have been from the hay but there's no way to know for certain. I have new piggies who are 6 weeks old and they are on alfalfa and timothy hay but they'll go off it in about 3 months. Make sure your pellets are timothy based as well, not alfalfa.

I saw a hay "rack" on here that I thought was cute. It was a small plastic garbage can with a square hole on the bottom. Some people fix grids in the hole so the piggies can't get in but the hay can get it out. You just put the hay in the top of the garbage can and wallah! Instant hay dispenser thingy! I'll try to find the pic and I'll post the link...

[rabbitsncavyluv]

If they sell oxbow hay, see if they sell oxbow pellets. Or if they will special order it for you.

[ali's_pigs123]

If you are willing to use a hay rack, I suggest a suet bird feeder. I have a small one for one pig that I bought at Christmas Tree Shops for $0.89. It works very well. For a group of piggers, use a few of these, or a larger one.
As for pellets, don't use Hartz, Kaytee, or SunSeed.
Use Mazurri5664, Oxbow, KM's, or SweetMeadow.

[relay]

That's really funny that you mentioned the suet feeder. I was standing at my kitchen window this morning, looking at the bird feeder and though that would make an awesome hay rack.

[soccermama]

yeah, I've been "playing" with hayracks since we got Theo. I've done a few different ways of using a "bent grid"... to using a "grid tower" to using various configurations of CD racks. Currently on the menu is LOOSE HAY. LOL Tomorrow it might be hay in the oats tube. hahaha Just like to try things out and give Theo new stuff to do.

[auburnmare5]

Another hay rack you can try is a paper towel roll with a slit cute down the middle and fill it with hay. A good toy/hay combo! I used it and Coco has loads of fun pushign it around and trying to drag it with him to go into his pigloo. Even though it won't fit!

[webjetter]

Originally Posted by soccermama

They also sell a 25# box of Oxbow Timothy Hay for $31.00.
(That seems like a TON of hay...anyone have a size comparison to offer for me? I can't picture it in my mind.)

I buy hay 10 lbs. at a time from Kleenmama's Hayloft :: Hay and it comes in an 18" x 18" x 12" box with 2 kitchen sized trash bags inside (5 lbs. per bag). That lasts my 2 piggies about 3 months. I've never bought 25 lbs. because I don't have the storage space, but I imagine the box would be more than twice that size. Hope that helps!

[soccermama]

wow! okay, thanks for that comparison info! that is exactly what I needed to know. I'll need to get ahold of some other guinea pig owners I know of and see if they'd like to split a box. There's just no way i can store THAT big of box, and i wouldn't really want the hay sitting that long. I'll have to think on this. But THANK YOU for the insight, webjetter!