New Hay! And A Dust Question...

[LozzyBee]

My order of dust free hay arrived today, and it's so lovely it makes me want to go and lie in a meadow!

It's going down very well with Barnaby at the moment. Barlo is still snoozing/chilling in the hide so hasn't seen it yet - he's who I'm really waiting for the verdict from as I ordered it for him as the vet thinks he has an allergy.

Speaking of which - the vet recommending using a hay feeder (rather than having it so that they can lie in it which is what I currently have) because she believed it would help with the possible allergy issue. However, everything I've read says it's better to be in a hay bed to limit dust flying around when being pulled from a feeder. So which is best in your opinion? And if a feeder is better, can anyone recommend a safe one? I've read a couple of sad stories re piggies badly hurting themselves on feeders and want to make sure I don't get one that's dangerous.

 

[Morchy]

I've been struggling for ages with this very same thing, tried all sorts including feeders, however i've finally found a great solution (for my piggies anyway), they have a wooden platform, hide, tunnel and one of those bridge things in the centre of their play area and i've been piling it on top of those, it means it doesn't all get trodden on straight away and they can munch it from either the top of, underneath or in the hides.....has worked really well.......

 

[AuntyC]

I am currently trying this one in the photo from Petsathome. I tied it to the grids to stop my piggies tipping it over, it is secure once tied on and the pigs love it!
The teatowel is to shield the girls from a dog we have staying for a few days!

 

[Morchy]

I use this in my second shed with the smaller herd, it works well!

 

[LozzyBee]

Thank you both - tried it, but Barnaby is such a bruiser when he does his regular prowls around the cage he barged it out of the way...I then cable tied it to the cage but he kind of kept head butting it until it moved enough for him to continue with his apparent security job!

Nothing ventured nothing gained though! Back to the drawing board, am going to have a go at making a hay bag later. I feel really and as they do love the hay bed, but if it'll help Barlo's snuffly-ness I have to give it a go.

 

[AuntyC]

A hay bag sounds the way to go! My foster ladies discovered they could tip the rack over within hours. Barnaby obviously a very clever piggy too! Good luck with the hay bag.