What Is The Difference Between Timothy Hay And Orchard Grass?

[LydiaMinx]

Making some purchases on thehayexperts and not sure if the pigs will go for Orchard if it's too similar to Timothy (they're getting bored of it)

 

[helen105281]

Mine have both, orchard tends to be much softer than timothy.

 

[TAN]

Is orchard as low as low in calcium as timothy hay do you know (bladder pigs)

 

[helen105281]

I am not 100% sure but an old friend did loads of research on calcium levels and I know she feeds it every day.

 

[sport_billy]

Orchard Grass is much softer, we feed both. Orchard grass is great for tempting piggies to eat more hay, ours love it

 

[TAN]

So what is the meadow hay made of (apart from the obvious) - is that made timothy hay alfalfa orchard or a mix of everything? have just got a couple of bags of meadow hat from B & M which is very nice (and cheap - £3 something for a 3.5kilo bag but doesnt say what types of hay it contains) and mine love it - as didn't want to order any timothy hay online until after the easter holidays

 

[Wiebke]

Is orchard as low as low in calcium as timothy hay do you know (bladder pigs)

Timothy is a little bit lower in calcium, but to be honest, it doesn't really make much of a difference. Orchard (US) /Meadow (UK) hay is softer and is much better for trays and as bedding whereas timothy hay is stalkier and better fed in from a rack.

Unlike calcium and protein rich alfalfa/lucerne hay (which is a legume and not a grass, and should only be fed to pregnant/nursing sows and very young piggies) you can safely feed any variety of grass hay.

 

[TAN]

Thanks for the above explanation Wiebke - they really seem to love the B&M hay - and it is half the price of buying timothy hay on-line - and seeing as I will shortly have a big drop in income every penny counts .

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks for the above explanation Wiebke - they really seem to love the B&M hay - and it is half the price of buying timothy hay on-line - and seeing as I will shortly have a big drop in income every penny counts .

I hve been feeding locally sourced meadow hay via a local independent pet shop (that doesn't sell piggies) for the last 3-4 years. Mine love it more than the usual pet shop hay and it is half the price. The other recommendation would be to buy in bulk; hay is cheaper that way as long as you can store it safely in a dry, safe place with a fairly even temperature.