Reducing intake of new grass?

[lindsay7]

Had my babies 3 weeks now read so much about piggies before i got them and decided to get some of my own after I had looked after my friends piggies for a few weeks whilst they were on hols. I would like to think that i have done my home work and my babies are looked after all the better due to my research. I love this forum as well so I'm still learning more. Just read on another thread and the question was asked about 'reducing intake of new grass' Can someone explain what this actually means ie when you have to reduce this intake. I understand that baby piggies have to be restricted to how much grass they can munch does it mean anymore than what i already understand?

How can i make sure that my girls dont get bloat from this?

 

[Becky]

I have never heard of reducing glass intake, we always advise clients to feed their piggies more grass, it help the digestive system. The become very ill without grass and/or hay. Sorry don't know about reducing grass...

 

[karenrgpr]

'New Grass' should be introduced gradually. Many guineas die because people do not know about this and give loads of grass the minute it appears. Its the same with horses and rabbits. New Grass appears in the spring, sometimes referred to as first grass. Whilst the long fibre is important care should be taken around this (Spring that is ) time of year. Grass and hay are essential to the digestive system and hay should be available 24/7 but be careful when feeding grass for the first time after the winter/when it starts to grow again. CCT recommend putting guins out for only 15 minutes at a time for the first wheek or so. This will go a long way to making sure your pigs don't get bloat but is no guarantee. My friend's pig got mild bloat last spring despite following those instructions- if she hadn't he'd have been a very sick pig.

I don't know who your clients are Becky but its worth reading up on

Hay and grass promote the correct chewing action for wearing down those ever growing teeth, the long indigestible fibre keeps the gut moving

 

[Becky]

Yeah i knew this, these are Guinea pigs with digestive problems we recommend more grass/hay. Don't worry we talk about balanced diets with them and how its important on just to feed guinea pigs one take of food all the time, e.e only carrots etc.

I did know this, but i think of it more as introducing new food slowly as you would with any new food and any animal. Reducing suggest that you are already feed it the food and then you start reducing it.

I hope that makes sense, i just misunderstood the question. lol

 

[karenrgpr]

In the topic referred to the pigs were free range and would have been out on grass all year, new grass in the spring would have needed reducing.


New grass in spring needs introducing gradually to ALL guineas every year (and buns).

I disagree with only feeding one type of food, this will not provide a balanced diet. Carrots should only be fed sparingly in my opinion as with all roots.

A balanced diet contains all the vitamins, minerals, astringent and diuretic foods together and foods with good ratios of Cah. This can (in my opinion) only be done by feeding a varied diet