Diet How much hay ? - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**jeananne** · #1 10-08-09, 10:09 am

My lil gal, 3 mo. old loves to eat ! The past few days she doesn't seem like she is eating as much hay, although in the mornings I noticed the hay ball needs refilling. She eats her veggies, pellets, and drinks water.I feed her veggies in increments, 3 times a day. Should I cut back on those, say at noon? And the cage is ALWAYS full of poops ! I am a paranoid first piggie Mom I guess. Also, how much cold can they tolerate. She is in a cage filled with fleece, and hidey places. She is in a room with the door closed when I am not home ( cats !) and I hope its warm enough for her. She has a warm blanket over the cage to keep out drafts. . She seems the picture of health and is happy and playful, but she is rather lazy first thing in the morning for awhile. Thanks for any input and for a great place to ask questions. I have learned a lot. Sorry for longer post, just need to know what you guys think.

**ChristyG** · #2 10-08-09, 04:56 pm

For hay, my girls go through it like crazy, but they can get picky sometimes, and I often either change it, timothy-to-orchard, or even the brands, and they seem to do fine..but I go through alot of hay! Sounds like you are taking care of your piggie pretty well. I too have to leave them home at times during the day for awhile, and I always make sure they is no draft, or its not too cold, and that they have there food etc. Have fun being a piggie mom-I personally love it!

**jeananne** · #3 10-08-09, 05:20 pm

Thanks Christy for the response. When I went home at lunch, she had eaten more hay. She just does not do mornings very well ! She was happily eating away when I checked in on her on my lunch hour. I'll be home soon again and give her lots of loves and fill her hay ball up again ! Thanks for putting my mind at ease !

**princesspoppy** · #4 10-08-09, 05:25 pm

57/58 is minimum temperature as far as i know. Veggies twice a day. Morning and evening is pleanty. My girls 14 weeks old got tired of the excell hay and i switched to oxbow timothy hay. They really love it. Piggs produce lots of poops. Its just a matter of scooping poop once a day or twice. Personally i would rethink the hay ball. It's dangerous of the piggies.

**JD In Van** · #5 10-08-09, 05:45 pm

Unlimited hay. My boys easily go through two large handfuls of the stuff a day. I stuff it in their houses each morning and then if I notice them getting low I give them more at night besides what they have in their hay boxes.

**akstrohm** · #6 10-08-09, 06:43 pm

What kind of hay are you feeding (brand and type)? My pigs love Kleenmama's bluegrass. If you're feeding something dusty and lower quality like Kaytee, she might just not like it very much. In that case, switching to a better brand might help.

How many pellets do you feed her? Pigs under 6 months can have unlimited pellets, but it should still be a small part of her diet. I would not cut back on veggies.

Pigs should have a stable temperature between 65 and 75. They can survive colder temperatures, but if it's cooler than 65 they can be stressed and more susceptible to illness.

On a side note, will you be getting her a friend?

**princesspoppy** · #7 10-08-09, 06:51 pm

Thanks akstrohm,i wasn't sure what 18 degress celsius was in the u.s. fahrenheit .I see i was way off.

**JD In Van** · #8 10-08-09, 08:45 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by akstrohm

What kind of hay are you feeding (brand and type)? My pigs love Kleenmama's bluegrass. If you're feeding something dusty and lower quality like Kaytee, she might just not like it very much. In that case, switching to a better brand might help.

Sadly we can't get Kleenmama's hay in Canada, only her pellets and those are far far too expensive.

Fortunitely there's always Oxbow.

**akstrohm** · #9 10-08-09, 09:41 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD In Van

Sadly we can't get Kleenmama's hay in Canada, only her pellets and those are far far too expensive.

Is the original poster from Canada? If so, then just look for the freshest, greenest, least-dusty horse-quality hay you can find.

**jeananne** · #10 10-09-09, 09:51 am

Thanks all for your input. I must be doing it right, because some of the products you mentioned, I use. I think I was just being a bit paranoid, but she is eating a lot today. And I do give unlimited hay at all times, and fresh veggies 3 times a day. Temperatures sound right too. She is surrounded in fleece ! It's about 70 ish in my house. Thanks so much !!!