How Much? How much hay to buy?

[betty]

Still getting ready to adopt two guinea pigs...

I found a store that sells Oxbow brand pellets and hay but it is an hour's drive. I want to stock up on food. How much orchard grass should I buy in advance for 2 pigs? The bags come in a 40 oz size.

I will also buy Oxbow pellets, how long will a 5 pound bag last and will it go stale if I buy 2 bags?

Other than hay and pellets, what else will I need from the pet store?

Thanks!!!

 

[Catahoula]

Do you have an objection to ordering your food online?

Dr. Fosters and Smith sell Oxbow hay and pellets in larger quantities. EVERY order over $50 has FREE shipping. It would save you the drive and some money.

Pet Supplies | Dog & Cat Supplies, Pet Meds | DrsFosterSmith.com Pet Products

If hay is stored properly it can stay fresh for up to a year, so buying a 25 or 50 lbs bale wouldn't be out of the question.

I'm in the same boat you are. I'm about to adopt my babies in a little over a week now. I got the 10 lb bag of pellets. If you store them in a cool, dark place they'll retain their vitamin C, plus you can freeze them if you have space.

Hope this helps even though I didn't directly answer your questions.

 

[betty]

Do you have an objection to ordering your food online?

Dr. Fosters and Smith sell Oxbow hay and pellets in larger quantities. EVERY order over $50 has FREE shipping. It would save you the drive and some money.

Pet Supplies | Dog & Cat Supplies, Pet Meds | DrsFosterSmith.com Pet Products

If hay is stored properly it can stay fresh for up to a year, so buying a 25 or 50 lbs bale wouldn't be out of the question.

I'm in the same boat you are. I'm about to adopt my babies in a little over a week now. I got the 10 lb bag of pellets. If you store them in a cool, dark place they'll retain their vitamin C, plus you can freeze them if you have space.

Hope this helps even though I didn't directly answer your questions.

Thank you for your help... I would order larger quantities online but we do not have enough storage space in our city apartment, that is why I can only buy a bit at a time.

 

[Catahoula]

Oh and other things to look for...Here's the shopping list I just made in preperation for getting my babies (hoping for 3)

Cage (obvious, but I write down everything)
Bedding (your choice - fleece, wood shavings, carefresh, etc.)
Grass Hay
Pellets (under 6 months - alfalfa based, over 6 months - timothy based)
Water Bottles (1/piggy)
Food/Veggie Dishes (1/piggy)
Hidey Houses (1/piggy)
Tunnels, cozies, toys (just comforting things)
Hay Rack
Scale (piggies should be weighed weekly to monitor health)
Nail clippers
Brush

Please note - many of these things don't need to be bought brand-new, they can be improvised. Any cardboard box makes a good hidey or tunnel. Toilet paper rolls stuffed with hay work as toys. Any tpye dish that can hold about an 1/8 - 1/4 cup of pellets will work. Just be creative, and if you're not sure something is safe...Just Ask

 

[Catahoula]

I found another thread with similar questions about how long hay and pellets will last for 2 piggies. Hope this helps too.

https://www.guineapigcages.com/threads/66052/

 

[SurfingPigs]

I would buy as much has as you have room for since the trip is an hour to the store. Hay is easily kept fresh and will keep for a long time. I just purchased 60 pounds for my trio plus the two fosters I currently have, and it will last me into some point in 2012 with ease.

I wouldn't get out of control with the pellets, but even 25 pounds of pellets will be fine for you to pick up, as long as you keep them out of sunlight and stored properly to maintain the vitamin C.