Should I change these pellets?! (Pic)

PiggyPoo

PiggyPoo

Teenage Guinea Pig
Joined
Jun 2, 2018
Messages
962
Reaction score
973
Points
525
Location
Heanor, Derbyshire, UK
I purchased these because it’s what they were eating at the time I got them! I’m struggling to understand what I’m looking for! Can you help me please?
 

Attachments

  • image.webp
    image.webp
    78.1 KB · Views: 18
  • image.webp
    image.webp
    119.4 KB · Views: 18
Yes, you should definitely change them. They are too high in alfalfa for your pigs. Slowly integrate some other pellets into their diet. I recommend Harrington’s. Xx
 
ElizaCavies said:
Yes, you should definitely change them. They are too high in alfalfa for your pigs. Slowly integrate some other pellets into their diet. I recommend Harrington’s. Xx
Click to expand...
Thank you!

Should I mix 50% old and 50% new then gradually move them onto 100% Harrington’s? How long should the intergration take?

Can you explain what’s the problem with high alfalfa? What level is ok? Sorry I’m a complete novice.

Thanks xx
 
I usually go for pellets that have grass or timothy hay as at least one of the top ingredients if not the first one. That is usually a good sign of a good pellet, alfalfa (sometimes labelled Lucerne) is really high in calcium and can contribute to bladder stones or sludge in pigs over 6 months.
Harringtons is a nice food, popular with a lot of piggies! Rosewoods naturals meadow menu are nice, the Woodlands ones at pets at home are quite nice too.
 
@PiggyPoo Until recently it was recommended for younger pigs (up to 6 months old) have a diet rich in Alfalfa. It's not the case so much now as most pigs get what they need from a varied diet.

Alfalfa is higher in calcium so it can cause bladder issues in some pigs.

Harringtons is a good food and 2 of my boys have them. But the other 3 don't like them. So, it's a bit of a try it and see game when it comes to pellets.

My other 3 are on Burgess Blackcurrant and Oregano.

Science Selective tend to go down well with most pigs I've had. And there's a grain free version if you want to keep calcium to a minimum (I don't usually bother until I see an issue).



Swapping them over gradually is best, just so it doesn't cause a stomach upset.
 
You could keep using those pellets as treats, I tend to do that to save wasting pellets.
 
Jaycey said:
@PiggyPoo Until recently it was recommended for younger pigs (up to 6 months old) have a diet rich in Alfalfa. It's not the case so much now as most pigs get what they need from a varied diet.

Alfalfa is higher in calcium so it can cause bladder issues in some pigs.

Harringtons is a good food and 2 of my boys have them. But the other 3 don't like them. So, it's a bit of a try it and see game when it comes to pellets.

My other 3 are on Burgess Blackcurrant and Oregano.

Science Selective tend to go down well with most pigs I've had. And there's a grain free version if you want to keep calcium to a minimum (I don't usually bother until I see an issue).



Swapping them over gradually is best, just so it doesn't cause a stomach upset.
Click to expand...
My piggies are 13weeks so hopefully it won’t have caused an issue for them and I’ll change them to something else!
 
I changed mine over from the P@H nuggets to Harringtons and Velvet would eat them all day and all night if I let her! Gradually change them over the course of a week or so adding more Harringtons each time you give them pellets so that they are on 100% Harringtons.
 
Betsy said:
I changed mine over from the P@H nuggets to Harringtons and Velvet would eat them all day and all night if I let her! Gradually change them over the course of a week or so adding more Harringtons each time you give them pellets so that they are on 100% Harringtons.
Click to expand...
Thanks Betsy! That’s really helpful! I will pick some up tomorrow xx
 
PiggyPoo said:
Thanks Betsy! That’s really helpful! I will pick some up tomorrow xx
Click to expand...
As I have 5 piggies to feed, I get a 10kg bag and it lasts around 3 months. I either get it off of ebay or amazon depending on which one is cheapest at the time.
 
Jaycey said:
@PiggyPoo

Science Selective tend to go down well with most pigs I've had. And there's a grain free version if you want to keep calcium to a minimum (I don't usually bother until I see an issue).



Swapping them over gradually is best, just so it doesn't cause a stomach upset.
Click to expand...

I'm in the process of swapping my Squeaks from Supreme Science Selective to their grain free version. He's getting a mix of the two currently and they both seem to get eaten .
When I was looking after 2 of Merrypigs Sanctuary's babies recently, they came with some of the P@H nuggets, I gave them some of the grain-free SS ones and they liked them as well.
 
***************UPDATE! *************

I’ve been feeding 50/50 with Harringtons since Thursday! Just looked in the bowl and all the pets at home pellets are gone.

Any ideas if I should keep persevering or change to Wagg or something? Xx
 
I would keep persevering,some piggies can be very stubborn to change.if I have piggies that are totally resisting after trying the slow change,i just give them only the new pellets and within a week they are eating the new brand.piggies will not starve if they do not eat any pellets for a short time.as long has there is unlimited hay,water,50grams of fresh vegatables they will adapt
 
Ok I will keep trying! No concerns that they’ll go hungry here! Lol They’re getting plenty veg and how can I resist when they wheek for more! Sticking to one cup each per day.

They seem to have grown so much since I got them almost 3 weeks ago but I’m only feeding them the recommended diet! Think I need to get the scales out and monitor their weight gain! Xx
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top