Hay Is it ok to feed my Guinea pigs hay that is from a barn?

[gpihgos]

To save money, I thought I would take some hay from my friend’s barn. They have cows and chickens. Is that safe for Guinea pigs, or should I not use that hay?

 

[Guinea Pig Papa]

Unless you're absolutely sure that it's Western timothy and that its bug and pesticide free, no. It's more likely straw that's in a barn.

Your pigs need high quality western timothy hay. Straw has little nutritional value to them.

 

[Anawilliam850]

To save money, I thought I would take some hay from my friend’s barn. They have cows and chickens. Is that safe for Guinea pigs, or should I not use that hay?

It is not recommended to use hay from a barn that also houses cows and chickens for your guinea pigs. This is because the hay could potentially be contaminated with bacteria, parasites, or other pathogens that could be harmful to your guinea pigs. It's better to use hay that is specifically marketed for small animals and is free from any potential contaminants. While it may be tempting to save money, it's not worth the risk to your guinea pigs' health.

 

[bpatters]

It's fine to use hay from a barn. Unless you're scooping it up off the barn floor, it's unlikely to be contaminated with anything,

You do need to be sure that it's a long-strand grass hay (Timothy, orchard, meadow, etc), and that it's free of weeds and nettles.

 

[CarlaChamp001]

It is cheaper to by Timothy hay for horses than for small pet animals. Are they the same thing?

 

[bpatters]

Timothy hay is timothy hay. Who eats it has nothing to do with what it is.

You just need to make sure it's green and fresh, and preferably not too hard and stiff.