Another hay question

[lastgirl]

Evening all,

Interested in opinions, trying to figure out our routine. I was using a regular meadow hay (p@h for now but intending to buy in bulk, this has just been convienient while I am getting organised). Cage is lined with puppy pad / towel / fleece and then there are a couple of under cover areas I fill with hay. As this was their only hay source was being changed daily.

I have since discovered alfafa king hay - oh my word it is a hit! Is this a decent quality hay for them to feed on daily - it looks lush, but looks can be deceiving! Is this for food and meadow hay for bedding areas a good mix? Is it a good idea to keep the meadow hay in the bedding areas or unnecessary? If I stick with it, as they now get other hay for feeding would this still need changing daily? They have a couple of food balls I stuff with the good stuff, and I then throw a few handfuls in throughout the day too. With a small amount of dandelion & green out stuff once a day too.

What does everyone else do? I do think they like bedding down on the hay - it's a pain with the fleece but if it's best for them then happy to keep it.

Thanks in advance . . . sorry for all the questions

 

[sport_billy]

The alfalfa king hay is it the Timothy Hay they do? If it is, piggies love Timothy Hay. We use several different types of hay. An ordinary meadow hay which until recently we bought locally and also something like Timothy hay or orchard grass.

Our piggie that lives on fleece Megan, has 2 little plastic trays that we put her hay on, one for meadow hay and one Timothy hay/orchard this helps keep it off the fleece. We change hays morning and night to keep it fresh although to be honest the Timothy hay never makes it through the day lol...

 

[Lucille]

My pigs are on fleece and the only hay 'on the ground' is the timothy they accidentally drop while pulling it out of the hay rack. Sometimes it can be quite a bit.
There are those who say there is too much calcium in alfalfa to feed it exclusively. To make your own choice you would have to research how much calcium a pig needs and how much calcium alfalfa provides. You hear a lot of stuff on the internet, I find it is wise to find the facts and make your own decision.
Anyway, back to hay on the ground, I just bought some new fleece items for them to be delivered this next week. As if the fleece wasn't soft enough, I got them 2 pillows to relax on, so I'm not providing them with hay to bed on.

 

[lastgirl]

Thanks both - yes should have said Alfalfa King is the brand - it is Timothy hay. I have tried other timothy but this looks by far the best, and has gone down the best with the girls.

Going to have a look for a plastic tray to keep a stash of meadow hay for them in their little den, they do seem to prefer it as are not using the areas I have stopped putting it in for the last couple of days. Will keep trying different things and figure it out!

many thanks.

 

[sport_billy]

Thanks both - yes should have said Alfalfa King is the brand - it is Timothy hay. I have tried other timothy but this looks by far the best, and has gone down the best with the girls.

Going to have a look for a plastic tray to keep a stash of meadow hay for them in their little den, they do seem to prefer it as are not using the areas I have stopped putting it in for the last couple of days. Will keep trying different things and figure it out!

many thanks.

The alfalfa king Timothy hay is loved. Oxbow Timothy hay is good also and can be bought online. Worth comparing prices of both as they are both excellent quality hays.

 

[lastgirl]

Thanks Sport_billy - new to this piggy lark and still figuring out what is best Will price up the Oxbow thanks for the recomendation.