Hay: Lots of questions about Hay?!?!?!?!

[AmandaErlandson]

1. Is dried grass from my back yard the same thing as timothy hay? If not can I feed them dried grass from my back yard instead? I have never used anything on my yard.

2. Is it acceptable to buy hay from the pet store? If not then where?

3. How long can I keep hay? Is it still good a month from now?

4. How much should I expect to pay for hay?

5. Are there different grades of hay?

6. Do baby's HAVE to have alfalfa hay or can they just have Timothy?

7. What do you do if you have an adult & baby? Don't they require different types of hay?

Ok that's all I can think of for now. Thanks in advance for all your help!

[vicky2]

1. No, it's not the same thing. You can feed them fresh grass but they still need unlimited grass hay.
2. Yes, you can buy hay at the pet store; but, you have to buy a good quality hay like Oxbow.
3. If stored properly, hay can last months.
4. Cost varies from place to place but many people find it cheaper to buy it from a local farmer by the bale.
5. I'm not really sure what you mean by grades.
6. Pregnant sows and young pigs 6 months and under need either a supplement of alfalfa along with unlimited grass hay, or need to to be supplemented with the proper veggies.
7. If you have an adult and baby, I suggest having unlimited grass hay and supplementing the baby with the proper veggies.

[JD In Van]

1. Dried grass from your back yard isn't the same as hay. You can feed them fresh grass from your yard as forges though (as a veggie), but start out in small amounts. (There's a few threads about this if you search for them)

2. Ideally if you can buy your hay from a feed store or a pet store that doesn't sell animals that's best. Or order directly from supplies.

3. Hay can be kept for a long time provided it's properly stored (cool, dry, well ventilated environment).

4. Hay varies in price a lot depending on many factors.

5. Yes and several differant types of hay as well. (I get timothy grass from a horse feed shop MUCH more affordably then I do if I buy it from a pet store personally)

6. Your babies need grass hay no matter what. You can give them some alfalfa hay with it or feed an alfalfa pellet.

7. Usually if you have a mixed pair you give extra calcium to the younger by feeding them calcium rich veggies at lap time when they're away from their older buddy.

I think that's it.

[Ly&Pigs]

1. Is dried grass from my back yard the same thing as timothy hay? If not can I feed them dried grass from my back yard instead? I have never used anything on my yard.

No. Dried grass is hay but there are many types of grass so what may be growing in your yard may not be "timothy". If you want to feed grass, it's better fed fresh. Start slow with very small amounts as not to cause digestive upset. Then increase the amount every few days.

2. Is it acceptable to buy hay from the pet store? If not then where?

It's better if it's not from a petstore that sells animals. There are many places to purchase hay. Pet supply stores, feedstores, online- Kleenmama's Hayloft :: Home has the best hay anywhere.

3. How long can I keep hay? Is it still good a month from now?

If stored properly, it can last a year or more.

4. How much should I expect to pay for hay?

Depends on where you buy it. KM's hay may seem expensive with shipping but if you compare it to the same amount of small bags of hay you buy, you will find buying it in bulk is cheaper in the long run.

5. Are there different grades of hay?

There are different types and grades. There are basically 3 types of cuts, 1st, 2nd and 3rd. 1st cut is more stemmy, 2nd cut has less stems and is a bit softer but 3rd cut is generally the best there is. Grass hay types include timothy, bermuda, bluegrass, brome, meadow, orchard, etc. Any of those are fine to feed alone or in combination with each other.

6. Do baby's HAVE to have alfalfa hay or can they just have Timothy?

They need grass hay from the day they are born until they die. Alfalfa is a legume hay that is high in calcium. It can be used to supplement young pigs in addition to the grass hay.

7. What do you do if you have an adult & baby? Don't they require different types of hay?

They need grass hay. You can supplement the younger pig by giving high calcium veggies every couple of days during laptime.