Net hay bag?

[Autonerd]

I'm in the process of building the boys' new C&C cage. I don't think the old hay feeder will fit, but I'm wondering about a net hay bag made from those net grocery bags, or a smaller version thereof? Robin used to use such a contraption to keep one of the horses from guzzling his hay. We had to replace it every few months since the horse naturally cut it with his teeth (and I assume the pigs will do the same) but it did slow him down.

Robin wants to just put the hay in a corner -- I thought getting it out of the feeder (or bag) and spreading it around on their own was part of what keeps life interesting. We're using Timothy hay which I thought I read isn't the best thing for bedding.

Aaron

 

[Piggies&buns]

It would depend hugely on the hay net itself - it could pose a safety risk if they got caught in it. I’m not sure I’d feel happy about using a net item at all

I don’t use any kind of hay rack. I use just throw piles of meadow hay everywhere for them to eat and use as a bedding but I put pile of Timothy in one corner. The Timothy I use doesnt fluff up like meadow hay does so just tends to just sit in a flat (ish) pile. The piggies are always running through piles of meadow hay, but never run through the Timothy.

 

[Siikibam]

I would do a pile in a corner. You could get cat litter trays and use those as their hay feeding areas. I would still pile it in there rather than use a hay rack or bag.

 

[Betsy]

I use old boxes for my my piggies stuffed with hay. I also have Ferret Litter Trays that go in the run as hay trays.

 

[artcasper]

I would be worried about them eating the net bag or getting caught in it.... I use boxes stuffed with hay.. and plastic storage boxes stuffed with hay .

 

[Engel]

I'd be worried about them getting tangled or stuck in the net personally. My boar has a corner tray with hay in it and a pile. My sow has a litter box with hay and a DIY hay bag. (My boar also had a hay bag but replaced it with a pile as he kept climbing on the bag to try and get into the sow cage ). The hay will get everywhere regardless. I feed a mix or Timothy and meadow and tbh they will eat it, sleep in it, play in it, toilet in it. So it'll never stay in one place

 

[VickiA]

Piggies have an unfortunate knack of investigating where they shouldn’t so I’d be worried about them getting into it and caught up. Their limbs etc are quite delicate and I’d be worried about injuries. We’ve seen so many near misses over the years with hay balls, hay racks etc where piggies have got their heads in and trapped.
Even if you have a purpose made hay bag (usually fabric with a hole or 2 at the bottom to pull hay through) they will still strew it everywhere. I just use cat litter trays lined with newspaper and a handful of shavings and then pile the hay on top. The piggies love sitting in it as well as eating the hay.