Hay confusion and quality.

[Gadzy]

Hi all,

I bought some meadow hay from a local farmer and some Burges Timothy hay (included dandilion and Marigold) from the local pet store in which I found very dusty and stalky. Isit true that Timothy hay is much better for the pigs than meadow hay? It seems my guniea pigs prefer messing around and EATING the meadow hay... I have been mixing both together to see. I was wondering what people's thoughts are on this. I just don't think many people sell GOOD quality Timothy hay around here. The meadow hay seems better quality. I did read that your pigs will eat any hay if they have to. I was told at pets at home that they feed them pets at home Timothy hay but it seems very brown? I guess if that's all that's there for them that will have to do for them? I'm guessing quality of hay can depend on certain weather seasons or? Maybe I need some knowledge from @Wiebke !

Any advice from others is much appreciated

Regards

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all,

I bought some meadow hay from a local farmer and some Burges Timothy hay (included dandilion and Marigold) from the local pet store in which I found very dusty and stalky. Isit true that Timothy hay is much better for the pigs than meadow hay? It seems my guniea pigs prefer messing around and EATING the meadow hay... I have been mixing both together to see. I was wondering what people's thoughts are on this. I just don't think many people sell GOOD quality Timothy hay around here. The meadow hay seems better quality. I did read that your pigs will eat any hay if they have to. I was told at pets at home that they feed them pets at home Timothy hay but it seems very brown? I guess if that's all that's there for them that will have to do for them? I'm guessing quality of hay can depend on certain weather seasons or? Maybe I need some knowledge from @Wiebke !

Any advice from others is much appreciated

Regards

Hi!

There are different qualities of each hay variety; the nice green ones are better but they are also more expensive.

Your piggies will of course eat only the best they have on offer. Mine have only meadow hay and the odd treat hay but last year I lost three 8 year olds and two 7 year olds (one shortly before her 8th birthday); so while timothy hay may be the best it is not a drama if you can't feed it.

Here is our detailed hay guide. there are better online providers for good quality hay than chain pet shops: A Comprehensive Hay Guide for Guinea Pigs (incl. providers in several countries)

Please take the time to bookmark and read our New Owners guide collection. You can find a lot of very practical and helpful information and resources in there.

 

[PigglePuggle]

Hi, if you are in the UK many of our piggies enjoy Haybox who deliver giant cardboard boxes of very tasty meadow and/or timothy hay with no plastic packaging! Mine get meadow in the hay trays and hayroom and hayloft all the time to sleep and play in, then after meals they get a pile of timothy just to eat. There are many good hays available online, from Amazon and similar, but Haybox is a big hit with many forum piggies and piggy slaves looking for top notch dust free hay with no plastic packaging!

 

[Gadzy]

Thanks thanks for both your replies @Wiebke and @PigglePuggle !

What I just don't understand is how the hay sold in pet shops is so bad? If people had to feed their pigs this hay would they eat it eventually? I guess they would?

I will read through the hay guidelines posted

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks thanks for both your replies @Wiebke and @PigglePuggle !

What I just don't understand is how the hay sold in pet shops is so bad? If people had to feed their pigs this hay would they eat it eventually? I guess they would?

I will read through the hay guidelines posted

Generally the recommendation is to use the brown hay for bedding and the green hay for feeding but the pet shops sell simply anything. You will get good quality hay from our recommended online suppliers at a better price.