Oxbow Timothy Hay - is it usually spikey?

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missy

missy

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Hi all,

This is probably a silly question but....

I just bought this for the first time and was surprised how spikey and hard it is compared to other hay I've used. Is it supposed to be really stiff or have I just bought a dodgy bag?

My piggy seems to love it but I've had a piggy with a sharp bit of hay stuck in his eye before, so I'm a bit paranoid about this happening again as this stuff is really sharp.

Thanks
 
There are different cuts of hay; first, second and third. Each cut has a different quality to it:

First cut:- Stalky/coarse with many seed heads
Second cut:- Leafy with some stalks and seed heads
Third cut:- Leafy with very few stalks and seed heads

On the whole, I've found that Timothy is usually first/second cut type hay, while Orchard Grass is most like third cut hay. Orchard Grass is almost always softer than Timothy - whether that is down to the hay type or the cut, I've not yet discovered. :))
 
Hello

I bought some recently for the first time too and I thought that, it is quite hard and spikey, although I'm not sure if it's meant to be like that, my pigs love it! xx>>>
 
Thanks guys.

Not sure which cut this is, but it's definitely not for rolling around in. He's always getting bits of grass and hay stuck in his bum too, so I just pray that doesn't happen with this sharp stuff! Ouch! :)
 
We sell a lot of this and have to say that we've noticed it does tend to be different depending on what time of year we have it delivered. I have always assumed it is just because it is different cuts of hay.
 
I've got some of this at the moment and it is very stalky, although it does have coarse leafy bits too.
It goes in their hayrack and because of its stalkiness and long strandedness it's probably pretty good for wearing their teeth. They have short chopped hay in the litter tray for weeing on.

I do like it but I doubt I'll get it again as it is incredibly expensive weight for weight. I'm on a mission to source something that's equally long stranded and palatable but available locally and therefore more cheaply.
 
Thanks guys. The variation caused by different cuts makes sense, now that I know.

I'm not sure I'll buy it again either, Banana. Like you (and apparently many others), at the moment I'm also trying to source an easy to get hold of, value for money, good quality, long strand hay which goes down well. I didn't realise it'd be so difficult but right now it seems like the quest for the holy grail!
 
My box is spikey too. My lot love it and I also use hay racks as it's is too spikey to allow them to play in (too expensive too!)
 
i have just had mine arrive, its very long and yes, spikey...and sets my hayfever off something chronic! I think i'll go back to orchard grass when this bags done!
 
Timothy is notoriously the worst for allergies, Orchard Grass is said to be the best (or very close to the best).
 
Holidayhutch said:
We sell a lot of this and have to say that we've noticed it does tend to be different depending on what time of year we have it delivered. I have always assumed it is just because it is different cuts of hay.
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What cut do you have at the moment Timothy? I'm not impressed with my new bag as its first cut...(please note I didn't get it from animal magic)?
 
JoanneG111 said:
What cut do you have at the moment Timothy? I'm not impressed with my new bag as its first cut...(please note I didn't get it from animal magic)?
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I think we are on 2nd cut at the moment. Apologies for not remembering but did you have a sample bag of it from us for the fundraiser as it is the same as that. If you didn't, I will pop you one in the post on Monday so you can see what it is like.
 
Holidayhutch said:
I think we are on 2nd cut at the moment. Apologies for not remembering but did you have a sample bag of it from us for the fundraiser as it is the same as that. If you didn't, I will pop you one in the post on Monday so you can see what it is like.
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I did, but too be fair I can't remember what it was like as I just mixed all my samples together and they are all gone, I did like the oat hay though, but I have noticed my 4kg bag of timothy hay is awful sore on hands, and I'm not liking it, doesn't look as green either.. ...8....

I think I must have got first cut, can't even remember were I got it from rolleyes! :o
 
JoanneG111 said:
I did, but too be fair I can't remember what it was like as I just mixed all my samples together and they are all gone, I did like the oat hay though, but I have noticed my 4kg bag of timothy hay is awful sore on hands, and I'm not liking it, doesn't look as green either.. ...8....

I think I must have got first cut, can't even remember were I got it from rolleyes! :o
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I will send you a new sample bag and I will contact Oxbow and see if they can confirm what cut they are sending us at the moment, but am pretty sure it's 2nd. I'll also send you a sample of the Dust Free American Timothy Hay so you can compare them.
 
Holidayhutch said:
I will send you a new sample bag and I will contact Oxbow and see if they can confirm what cut they are sending us at the moment, but am pretty sure it's 2nd. I'll also send you a sample of the Dust Free American Timothy Hay so you can compare them.
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Don't feed her addiction! rolleyes


INTERVENTION!
 
Having spoken to Oxbow today they say (and it makes sense I suppose) that it is difficult to say what cut any particular person is receiving as they dont know how long a companies stock is being kept for before they mail it out to customers. e.g if you ordered in December you could still be geting 1st cut hay from the summer if the company doesn't sell much hth.
 
Mine definitely looks like 1st cut........probably from summer 1995, knowing my local pet shop!

Think I'll get myself some samples too. Not sure I'll get as passionate about hay as some of you here (mentioning no names!) but my piggy certainly deserves some good stuff and I know I haven't found the best stuff yet :)
 
I recently bought a bag of bio-organic hay by a brand called 'homefriends'.

It's a 1.8kg bag and cost £3.99 I think from Pets Corner, which are based in one of the garden centres. My piggies LOVE IT! I was going to get timothy hay for them but it looked quite yellow/brown in the shop whereas this is much greener. Unfortunately I can't find it anywhere when I put it in a search engine, but here's the link to pets corner to see if there's a store near you:

http://www.petscorner.co.uk/store-finder
 
Piggiewinkles said:
I recently bought a bag of bio-organic hay by a brand called 'homefriends'.

It's a 1.8kg bag and cost £3.99 I think from Pets Corner, which are based in one of the garden centres. My piggies LOVE IT! I was going to get timothy hay for them but it looked quite yellow/brown in the shop whereas this is much greener. Unfortunately I can't find it anywhere when I put it in a search engine, but here's the link to pets corner to see if there's a store near you:

http://www.petscorner.co.uk/store-finder
Click to expand...

Thanks for the recommendation, Piggiewinkles. Bio-organic sounds great and pretty cheap too. I've never tried Pets Corner but drove past one of those the other day. It's not that nearby but I'll go back and have a look one day. Mind you, I see they sell live animals and I'm not sure I can be trusted to go near any piggies for sale, the way I'm yearning right now! :0
 
missy said:
Thanks Claire. I'll give that a go as a treat as it looks quite expensive for how much you get. I like the idea of the soothing and calming properties of chamomile though.....are your girls all chilled out after chomping on this? :)
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I must admit, it isn't cheap but is great for a treat. I like the thought of my girls being pampered :)) They do a herbage one as well
 
Holidayhutch said:
I will send you a new sample bag and I will contact Oxbow and see if they can confirm what cut they are sending us at the moment, but am pretty sure it's 2nd. I'll also send you a sample of the Dust Free American Timothy Hay so you can compare them.
Click to expand...

could you send me some samples pllleeaaasseeee rolleyes:)) so i can try it on my guineas and the rescues give them a little treat while there here:(|);):(|)
 
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