Pellets Found a new European pellet - Fibafirst.

[HannibalLecter]

Well, pellet isn't exactly the right word for it. (broken link removed)
It's long pellet "sticks" if it makes sense, to "encourage the pigs natural foraging behavior" & provide a long fiber source.
Really surprised when I opened the box. It's called FibaFirst by Supreme Science, and it's available in both Sweden & the UK.
The first ingredient is timothy hay, but I'd like to know if the other ingredients are acceptable. The fiber & Vitamin C content is higher than Excel or Oxbow, and the calcium content about the same as Oxbow, lower than Excel.
(broken link removed)

Ingredients:
Timothy hay, alfalfa stalks, ground peas, soybean flour, wheat flour,
locust bean meal, flaked oats, alfalfa protein extract, linseed, soya oil, salt.
Vitamin A 23000 IU
Vitamin C 1000mg
Vitamin D3 1500 IU
Vitamin E 60mg
Protein 16%
Crude fiber 22%
Crude Fat 3,5%
Calcium 0,6%
Phosphorous 0,5%.

My pigs love them as a treat, but the feeding recommendations are expensive if I were to follow them.

 

[ellisa]

I can't offer any knowledge about the ingredients, but I've never seen pig "pellets" like that before! That's pretty neat!

 

[bpatters]

They're also pretty high in calcium -- I wouldn't want to give them as a regular diet.

 

[HannibalLecter]

They're also pretty high in calcium -- I wouldn't want to give them as a regular diet.

But the calcium in oxbow cavy cousine is between 0.35%-0.85%?
And excel burgess 0.8%. This would be better than Excel in the UK then?

 

[SardonicSmile]

It is similar too

VetCarPlus Multi-Modal Guinea Pig Food | Edibles | The Hay Experts

but, the one I linked to has 0,5% calcium and higher fiber count. My pigs get it as a treat sometimes, and it makes for a real mess when they eat it.


for a real pellet try JR Farm grainless complete for guinea pigs. Also 0,5% calcium and available through Zooplus

 

[HarleypigsMummy]

Science Selective Guinea Pig | Supreme Pet Foods

The company who makes this also makes a pellet. I was thinking of changing my boys to it, but I am unsure if it is any better than Excel? Can anyone give me any info/advice on this? Thanks! x

 

[SardonicSmile]

@HarleypigsMummy

the main ingredient of that pellet is alfalfa meal, so for an adult I would not recommend. It is also pretty high in calcium at 0,8% (alfalfa = lucerne)

preferably for an adult pig you want a pellet with the first ingredient being timothy hay.


The burgess excel does also contain alfalfa/lucerne, though its first ingredient is grass, just not specified what kind of grass.

 

[SardonicSmile]

Just wanted to show how messy these stickes can get. This was within two minutes of me putting some sticks into the bowl.

They are currently making more of a mess.

 

[HannibalLecter]

Both Science selective & Burgess have the same amount of calcium at 0.8%, I'd keep looking or just pay the price for Oxbow.
As they only need 2 tablespoons daily, it's not as expensive as it seems.

 

[HannibalLecter]

Just wanted to show how messy these stickes can get. This was within two minutes of me putting some sticks into the bowl.

They are currently making more of a mess.

Yeah, that's why I only put them into the kitchen area. Mine are usually good though & clean up some of the the crumbs.