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Hay

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Timothy isn't too rich at all, not sure where you heard that, but any of the grass hays are fine for everyday feeding. :)

It's the legume hays (alfalfa) that are rich in calcium and protein, so not great for everyday feeding for adult pigs. Dried grasses (Readigrass, Just Grass) are also rich, but fine for everyday feeding once the pig has been gradually introduced to them.
 
Thanks - I thought that was the case! Good job too - my girls would be miffed not to get their timothy hay everyday! :))
 
rattybabe said:
I have had it mentioned to me that Timothy Hay is a bit rich for everyday feeding. Any opinions on this?

I use cheaper meadow hay as bedding, but fill the hay rack up with Timothy which the girls love.

I have just received 2 boxes of Timothy from the Dust Free Hay Company and I'm very impressed!
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Is the dust free hay green like oxbow?
 
i have enjoyed reading this post lol.

the hay is intrigueing me, think i might buy some of the sample packs lol ... its a dear do this piggie lark haha :))
 
Holidayhutch said:
It's a little bit lighter and thicker if you are referring to comparing the DF Timothy to the Oxbow Timmy
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I was, I've never bought the dust free because, its generally packs of 10 or 5, which would you say is the better hay, or is that a silly question :))?
 
Joanne if your pigs are like mine then they wouldn't consider eating the dust free hay co stuff after eating oxbow. I buy the soft bedding hay and use it in their haylofts and boxes as a bedding hay but they only eat the Oxbow.

It's good stuff and they will nibble it off the ground but wont think about eating it in the racks.
 
Most likely a dumb question - Oxbow is the brand name?

Also, I saw P@H Timothy Hay but only referred to bunnys on the front of the pack (hands were full so didn't look at the back) but it was 3 for 2 @ £3.49 a packet I think. Anyone know if this is ok for piggies? I was thinking that if I switch to Oxbow or whatever, a more expensive hay (sample pack is on its way!) then perhaps I could stock up on this P@H Timothy as the stuff in the litter trays.
 
JoanneG111 said:
I was, I've never bought the dust free because, its generally packs of 10 or 5, which would you say is the better hay, or is that a silly question :))?
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The DF Timmy you can buy in packs of 2, 5 and 8 from Norman (It's his normal DF Hay that is in packs of 5 and 10) or we offer it in different quantities;) Our own piggies quite happily eat Oxbow and DF, I would say the DF is sweeter though and I also dont land up sneezing or with itchy eyes like I do with the Oxbow one.
 
KimberleysWheekers said:
Most likely a dumb question - Oxbow is the brand name?

Also, I saw P@H Timothy Hay but only referred to bunnys on the front of the pack (hands were full so didn't look at the back) but it was 3 for 2 @ £3.49 a packet I think. Anyone know if this is ok for piggies? I was thinking that if I switch to Oxbow or whatever, a more expensive hay (sample pack is on its way!) then perhaps I could stock up on this P@H Timothy as the stuff in the litter trays.
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Yep - Oxbow is an American brand name.

I've used Oxbow Timothy Hay and can say that it looks absolutely nothing at all like the PAH Timothy Hay! The Oxbow I had was longer strands and a nice pale green colour. The PAH stuff I've seen looks poor quality, by comparison, but is probably fine for litter trays. Mind you, you may as well just use a good meadow hay, rather than the PAH Timothy, as it's probably cheaper and the quality would probably be better!

I don't know where the PAH hay is grown but, assuming that it is home grown in the UK, it presumably doesn't have the added benefit of being treated for import. As the Oxbow is from the US, it has to go through some kind of fumigation process before shipping, to kill off any bugs. Many people choose Oxbow because of this added protection.

I did notice PAH do Alfalfa King Timothy Hay (also from US). Haven't tried it myself but presumably this is quite similar to the Oxbow? Anyone know please? :)
 
I used to use good quality meadow hay to line my litter trays, but it was very dusty. I am currently using dust free hay and topping the hay trays with excel herbage, bunny nature grass hay, readigrass, burns green oat hay or dust free american timothy hay.

I would assume that the pah timothy hay is grown in the states: hardly any timothy hay is grown in the UK. I did buy alfalfa king timothy and oat hay a couple of years ago, but it was very stalky and my pigs didn't go for it.
 
I've now finally joined the hay band wagon, but yet to make a purchase, with 4 pigs and 2 new buns arriving next saturday I need to find a way of storing big quantities so I thought it was time to order in the good stuff. i am currently using the 4kg bags of meadow hay from "the range" with a topping of readigrass but it is about 20-25 miles away to get to the range and I will probably get thorough 4kg a week I think once the buns arrive so it feels a bit daft to do all those miles when I can order in a 20kg bale!


I was thinking it was time to clear out my shed and then have a new dustbin in there for hay / readigrass or one for both :)) (i already have one dustbin in there which has guinea food (still bagged but protecting it from mice etc.. ) )

What does anyone recommend as something that is not madly expensive but is good quality? I have already settled on getting some just grass or readigrass, depending on what I can find on the internet but I also want a hay too?
 
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Briony_Y said:
I've now finally joined the hay band wagon, but yet to make a purchase, with 4 pigs and 2 new buns arriving next saturday I need to find a way of storing big quantities so I thought it was time to order in the good stuff. i am currently using the 4kg bags of meadow hay from "the range" with a topping of readigrass but it is about 20-25 miles away to get to the range and I will probably get thorough 4kg a week I think once the buns arrive so it feels a bit daft to do all those miles when I can order in a 20kg bale!


I was thinking it was time to clear out my shed and then have a new dustbin in there for hay / readigrass or one for both :)) (i already have one dustbin in there which has guinea food (still bagged but protecting it from mice etc.. ) )

What does anyone recommend as something that is not madly expensive but is good quality? I have already settled on getting some just grass or readigrass, depending on what I can find on the internet but I also want a hay too?
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What would classify as madly expensive? What price are we talking?
 
Briony_Y said:
I'm not sure lol! but £50 would be expensive i guess :))
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are we talking under £50... it would depend how much you got though for £50? I would say if you are going to get any hay, oxbow is the way to go, and get the huge box... 8kg does my 3 pigs urm...we're on the 3rd month with 4kg left. (long time).

You can get 22.7kg for £62... that would last ages!
 
actually that seems quite reasonable as it works out about 2.80 per kg so cheaper than most petstores.. who do you buy if from?
 
Briony_Y said:
actually that seems quite reasonable as it works out about 2.80 per kg so cheaper than most petstores.. who do you buy if from?
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I shall find the cheapest.... be back soon ;).

Ok after much googling... I can confirm the cheapest I found with animal magic by a 24p :)). £66.25 inc postage

Followed by hay experts. £66.49 inc postage....

SPH don't even have a look in... :))
 
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