Whats The Best Hay

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KLG1985

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I've been feeding my girls Excel Forage, but lately I've notice the quality has gone down hill. Ideally, I'd like to feed them Oxbow Timothy hay. but it is so expensive. I'll be adopting another pair of ladies soon, so consumption is only going to increase! The cheapest I can find is about £29.50 for just over 4kg. Does anyone know where I can get it cheaper, or something that is the same quality but cheaper?
 
i really like hay4pets hays. i think you get a really good amount for your money :)
 
I had a look at them. They add rye to their Timothy hay. Do you know if rye alters the nutrition composition much. I'm keen to make sure they don't get too much calcium.
 
KLG1985 said:
I had a look at them. They add rye to their Timothy hay. Do you know if rye alters the nutrition composition much. I'm keen to make sure they don't get too much calcium.
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I got a big bag of Ings for my 2 and they loved it! It works out cheaper the more you get.
 
My two have ings hay too, think quite a few of us on here use hay for pets :) it's good quality and good value too
 
Yes, Hay for Pets is very popular, and very good quality. Also you might have a look at Dust Free Hay. A bit more expensive, but does what it says on the tin, and they always ship for next day delivery. The Hay Experts also do good hay, but not in such big quantities. I have found that shop-bought hay is very poor quality, more often than not.
 
Dust free hay is fantastic, even my vet remarked on how amazing it smells when I put a small amount of hay in a carry box. Mine love it and I re use the bags when I clean them out. Brilliant stuff and great service. Www.dustfreehay.co.uk
 
Hiya

It's just normal meadow hay, but very soft and sweet smelling! Their website has a bit of info about it.
 
Does anyone know the roughly the calcium content of the ings hay? I can't decide between that and the Timothy and rye. I know that is low calcium, but everyone seems to rate the ings above the others, so I'd love to know. I have to be a bit careful as I have a bladder piggy.
 
Does anybody know if dust free hay has less chance of having mites in it! I presume it has gone through a process to get rid of the dust, but does that also kill any hay mites? Thanks x
 
I'm not a fan of Timothy Hay instead I buy Orchard Grass because it is softer. My girls love Orchard and usually finish all of it compared to Timothy they are bit more selective only picking the soft strands and leaving the tough strands alone.
 
Mine love Alfalfa King Timothy hay and Oat, Wheat & Barley hay. Its cheaper than Oxbow, but still a great quality.
 
AuntyC said:
Does anybody know if dust free hay has less chance of having mites in it! I presume it has gone through a process to get rid of the dust, but does that also kill any hay mites? Thanks x
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I think all hay has dust mites no matter what you do. The only hay that doesn't is hay coming from the US (oxbow) where I believe it is heat treated before it comes into the country to prevent foreign bodies entering the country. But that makes it expensive. Less dusty hay that has been through an extraction process will help but nothing eradicates them 100%. Mites exist on everything even us humans, it's only when immune systems are compromised through stress or illness that they can cause an issue.
 
Guinea Slave said:
I think all hay has dust mites no matter what you do. The only hay that doesn't is hay coming from the US (oxbow) where I believe it is heat treated before it comes into the country to prevent foreign bodies entering the country. But that makes it expensive. Less dusty hay that has been through an extraction process will help but nothing eradicates them 100%. Mites exist on everything even us humans, it's only when immune systems are compromised through stress or illness that they can cause an issue.
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Thanks so much for this info. I have always alternated between Burns Welsh Meadow Hay and Dean's Farm, with dust free Timothy offered as variety. Never noticed a problem with mites, but then the critters are teeny weeny anyway! Hopefully my routine Xeno treatments will keep any of my foster clients comfortable.
 
If you have storage, sometimes its good value and quality to get hay from a farmer or equine place - if its for horses its generally good quality and I find that mine prefer that to any packaged hay, even the expensive stuff!
 
I get my hay from Morrisons, its actually really nice hay and its so cheap! The £1 bag lasts me a month.
 
I get my hay by the half bale from the local horse supply place,can't remember the exact price but it's only about £3-£4, so very cheap and it's good quality timothy hay. They even deliver it to me as I don't drive, which costs an extra £5, but still well worth it. The shop owner finds it funny that I'm prepared to spend so much on delivery for something so cheap, but my guineas love it.
 
Guinea Slave said:
Hiya

It's just normal meadow hay, but very soft and sweet smelling! Their website has a bit of info about it.
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Do you get the one in a green bag? I've been getting this from a local pet superstore £7.25 for 6.5k. I've had no problems with this, tho it's been a bit stalkier lately. Piggies love it tho and it doesn't make me sneeze so must be dust free.
 
Florrieberry said:
Do you get the one in a green bag? I've been getting this from a local pet superstore £7.25 for 6.5k. I've had no problems with this, tho it's been a bit stalkier lately. Piggies love it tho and it doesn't make me sneeze so must be dust free.
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No it's in a white bag but I buy in bulk so may be different. Yes my last lot has been a little stalkier but I also had some oxbow recently which was also stalkier so maybe last season was not so good? It's still very good though!
 
Guinea Slave said:
No it's in a white bag but I buy in bulk so may be different. Yes my last lot has been a little stalkier but I also had some oxbow recently which was also stalkier so maybe last season was not so good? It's still very good though!
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What price /weight is that please?
 
I had to buy some emergency hay on the way home from work, tesco value meadow hay is gorgeous. Smells lovely, good length and the girls go nuts for it. I've been buying off amazon previously but this is so much nicer.
 
I guess from reading these comments, that I should be treating my girls with some treatment to prevent mites, even though my GPs are indoor girls? Is that right?
I also clean my 2 with (pet) wipes. They're young (15weeks) & still a little shy. So, I'm anxious about bathing them yet. Is it essential to bath them? Or can I continue with the wipes?
 
No need to treat your girls for mites unless you have positive evidence that they have got them. Your piggies should not need bathing at all at their age. Regular brushing and stroking will keep their coats clean. Also piggies are very clean animals and will groom themselves.
 
Harry&lloyd said:
I had to buy some emergency hay on the way home from work, tesco value meadow hay is gorgeous. Smells lovely, good length and the girls go nuts for it. I've been buying off amazon previously but this is so much nicer.
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I'm the same, I've used a couple of different hay brands but my 2 love the Tesco one! Really handy for me as it's across the road so can nip over anytime.

Even though the pigs are happy with it, I often wonder if it's as good quality as other more expensive brands. Any opinions?
 
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