oxbow vs. kaytee vs. kneedeep & orchard vs. timothy

[Ithilgil]

The local petstore sells 3 brands of hay:

Oxbow
Kaytee
Knee Deep Farm (Knee Deep Farms) (this one includes timothy hay and apple tiwgs)

In terms of overall price per ounce for timothy hay:

Kaytee < Oxbow < Knee Deep

In terms of the overall price for Oxbow orchard grass and timothy hay per ounce:

timothy < orchard

I'm currently feeding my cavies Oxbow orchard grass because I've heard that orchard grass is softer and makes cavies sneeze less. Also, I've heard that more people tend to be allergic to timothy hay than orchard grass.

With these info in mind, which brand and which type of hay would you recommend I should buy?

[foggycreekcavy]

I would not even consider buying Kaytee.

If you don't have issues with hay allergies, then I would try both kinds of Oxbow and also the Knee Deep Farm. Some pigs love variety!

I, personally, would love to get the Knee Deep Farm hay. No pesticides or herbicides!

[Ithilgil]

What is wrong with Kaytee hay?

Oxbow uses pesticides and herbicides?

[spy9doc]

In general, Kaytee sells really low quality products.......period. Why not buy hay from anyone other than a pet store?? Pet store hay is old, dry, dusty......and overpriced.

I feel that it's worth it to buy from someone like KMS, but then I need bluegrass hay because of severe allergies in our household. Try a local farm supply or feed store for fresh hay. They will probably have a loose bale and can give you a sample to try. At least you will get to examine the hay, see how it smells, and see what else could be contained in it......like other plants or insects.

If you buy direct from a farmer or farm supply store, you'll have a better chance to know how the hay was grown.

[Ithilgil]

The problem is that I don't have a car, so I can't really go to a farm. The bus routes here don't reach the rural areas.

Also, without a car, it's very difficult to carry around a large bale of hay.

[bpatters]

Call around to some of the farms and see if someone will deliver some to you. Or offer to pay someone's gas if they'll take you to a farm and pick it up.

[Ithilgil]

I'll look around for farm options.

But, on the chance that I really can't get hay from a nearby farm, could I go for Oxbow or Knee Deep Farm (www.kneedeepfarms.ca)? If Oxbow is what you recommend, should I get orchard grass or timothy hay?

I've already sent an email to Knee Deep Farm, asking about the hay and hay delivery, but they haven't replied yet. Their website implied that I might be able to order their hay online, but I wasn't sure.

On the other hand, I've been able to find a website that delivers Oxbow products to Canada.

9 lb of Oxbow orchard grass from that site is cheaper than pet store 15 oz Oxbow orchard grass per ounce.

But 90 oz of pet store Oxbow timothy hay is cheaper per ounce than buying 9 lb from that website.

40 oz of pet store Oxbow timothy hay is the same price as online 9 lb Oxbow orchard grass per ounce.

And as I've mentioned earlier, 35 oz Knee Deep Farm timothy hay is more expensive than both Oxbow timothy hay and orchard grass per ounce. Of course, I still haven't gotten my reply from Knee Deep Farm yet, so this figure may change.

(As a side note, when I did all my calculations, I included all taxes and delivery costs.)

[Mastershroom]

I feed my pigs Oxbow orchard grass. I used to feed timothy hay, but the piggies would always eat about 3/4 of whatever I put in their cage, and leave the rest. The orchard grass is much thinner and softer, and smells better to me. The pigs eat every single bit of it in their cage until there's no trace of it left. It's also much easier on my allergies than timothy hay.

[Ithilgil]

I haven't been able to find a nearby farm that sells hay yet. Well, there are, but they are all pick ups only and I currently don't have anyone who could give me a ride since they're all out of town and won't be back until mid to late-August.

There probably are other farms somewhere in town, but I can't find their contact info. The ones that do have contact info don't sell hay. Unfortunately.

Should I try Knee Deep Farms' (they still haven't replied to my email yet) from the pet store or should I buy Oxbow orchard grass online?

[Kota12]

Well, I've heard ALOT of great things about KMS hay and pellets. I'm currently using Oxbow pellets so I would recommend that being your second choice (KMS being the first.) As for the hay, I use Kaytee because my piggy will just ignore every other brand of hay from the pet store. I'm wanting to switch onto KMS as soon as possible.

[Ithilgil]

I don't think KMS does international hay delivery. I know that it does deliver pellets to Canada, but I don't think hay is allowed.

[kneedeepfarm]

Hi There!

I am with Knee Deep Farm Canada and would be pleased to answer any questions you have. If I have not yet responded to your email then I would say I have not rec'd it. I am sorry about that, so what can I help you with?

I don't think KMS does international hay delivery. I know that it does deliver pellets to Canada, but I don't think hay is allowed.

[Ithilgil]

Luckily, I had saved a copy of the mail I've sent. Here are the questions:

What type of hay do you sell?

How much do the hay cost, per type and per amount?

How much would it cost for a delivery to Guelph, Ontario?

What is the approximate delivery time?

Would a 13% tax apply to the overall cost?

How are the hay packaged?

How do I place an order?

What are the methods to pay for the order?

[kneedeepfarm]

Luckily, I had saved a copy of the mail I've sent. Here are the questions:

What type of hay do you sell? All Natural Timothy Meadow Grass Blend

How much do the hay cost, per type and per amount? All Natural Timothy Meadow Grass Blend-454g $6.99. 1.0kg $10.99, 4.0kg $25.99, All Natural Timothy Meadow Grass Blend with Apple Branch chews 1.0kg $12.99, 1.5kg $18.99--this is suggested retail price each store may vary.


How much would it cost for a delivery to Guelph, Ontario I would need to have an order to accurately quote you. Our hay is availalble at your local Pet Valu--if they do not carry it they can order it in for you. If you tell me what your closest location would be I will contact the store and get back to you if you like.

What is the approximate delivery time? Depends on the shipping option but generally 24-48 hrs for private shipping through us
Would a 13% tax apply to the overall cost? yes

How are the hay packaged? resealable bags and the 4.0kg is a box

How do I place an order? You can email me directly at kathleen@kneedeepfarm s.ca or visit our website at Knee Deep Farms

What are the methods to pay for the order?

Visa, MC or email transfer.
I hope this helps and again I apologize for not receiving the original email I am not sure what happened. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to introduce you to our product. If you have any more questions or would like me to contact the Pet Valu nearest you I am happy to help.

[Agrimony]

I ALWAYS used to feed my guinea pigs Kaytee timothy hay. I just bought a bag of Oxbow for the first time and I swear they are eating it at least twice as fast! They love it! I never would have thought switching hay brands would make a difference, so I'm glad to have found these recommendations!

[Lovecraft]

I ALWAYS used to feed my guinea pigs Kaytee timothy hay. I just bought a bag of Oxbow for the first time and I swear they are eating it at least twice as fast! They love it! I never would have thought switching hay brands would make a difference, so I'm glad to have found these recommendations!

Same story, same brands. They liked the Kaytee, but they LOVED the Oxbow. They go through it like it's mana from heaven. And that's not the only way I can tell the difference. The Oxbow stuff SMELLS better. It feels better in my hands. I mean, I get that Oxbow has a huge fanbase in the pigworld, but it's deserved. It's totally deserved.

Oxbow4lyfe

[Cavylover24]

I just got two guinea pigs yesterday and I bought them Knee Deep Farms Timothy hay and meadow grass and they love it! It is good because it has no chemicals and is a nice variety or browns, greens and textures. I recommend it! I also like how it is Ontario grown

[kneedeepfarm]

Hi there so glad to hear your guinea pigs are enjoying our Knee Deep Hay! I would love to use this comment on our website www.kneedeepfarms.ca on our testimonials page. Can you let me know if you are ok with that? Thanks again for your kind feedback

[Cavylover24]

Yeah sure!