is alfalfa neccesary?

[loves2travel]

for baby pigs, is alfalfa hay absolutely essential? will timothy be ok, or do they absolutely need the extra calcium boost that alfalfa provides?I'm going to be a new owner soon (Yay!) and they might be babies, so i want to be prepared.

 

[Treen]

Under 6 months they should be on an alfalfa based pellet (Oxbow's Cavy Performance for example, but many others are alfalfa based) but don't need alfalfa hay on top of that.

Even if you do offer alfalfa (which isn't actually a hay product), you should always offer timothy/ meadow hay too. Alfalfa is much richer, so they won't eat as much as that as grass hays, and it's important for their teeth and digestion that they keep chomping all day long!

 

[loves2travel]

ok, I think I'll just keep timmy, but order some kleenmama's. if i'm correct, her pellets are alfalfa based.

 

[Treen]

I just had a quick look at the site (broken link removed) and they are alfalfa based, so will be great. I've heard plenty of good things about the hay from there too (a shame I'm in the UK - shipping wouldn't be too economical!) so if you get your supplies from there, you should have very happy pigs!