Wits end with one piggy and hay!

[Gadzy]

Honestly, I have never seen such a fussy pig when it comes to hay, eats then turns nose up at it and it’s a nightmare. I currently have 4 different sacks of stuff and it’s beginning to confuse me, and maybe it’s confusing her? Just picks and picks and then looks around like what’s this. I think with so many different types in there she’s just going from one to the other and picking the best bits out? Shall I try with just one in there?

I have natures own Devon meadow, some farm stuff (rye and a meadow hay) although this feels really course for meadow hay? Why can meadow hays vary so much and they all say it’s meadow hay. The stalky Timothy is a no go and always has been, I just need to find something she will like, but I think she does at first and then just stops or is just stupidly fussy and then I end up buying another something. I can’t afford it and also don’t have the space at the moment and I have hay coming out my ear holes lol. She’s been like it since day dot so nothing is going on, it’s just frustrating me now

I need to maybe just had a soft meadow hay and something else and have done with it. Surely they can’t be that stubborn to starve themselves?

 

[Wiebke]

Please try with just one variety. You can rotate but basically, she can eat it or leave but there won't be any more or anything different, so she can go either hungry or eat what is there. You will only refill with the same on that day when your piggies have eaten a fair bit of what you have put out for them.

She will soon learn to eat what is there. It usually does the trick. But you will have to tough it out for a few days with holding your anxiety in check and not give in - or she will forever dance on your nose and drive you to distraction.

Please don't weigh until 7 days after you have started the new regime, for your own protection. She won't come to any harm. None of my own piggies ever have, when they had to learn to eat what was served for the Tribe, whether that was veg, pellets or hay.

PS: Use the day she likes most for treats and entreaties to get her into carrier or as a mood booster after grooming or when she is ill. It comes in handy that way.

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

She's not having trouble picking up individual strands of hay, is she? Because that would suggest teeth problems.

I know the same meadow (or wherever the hay is cut) can yield different hay depending on whether it's first, second or even third cut of the year. Hay quality also depends on the weather that year and where exactly the hay grows. Natural product, it varies.

 

[Gadzy]

Thanks both! No she hasn’t any teeth problems, vets have looked in there loads recently when she was ill with a uti. She’s always been like it, never known anything like it. Plus, i have seen her eating long strands and more coarse ones if she want it! she's just picky! Whenever something new is in there hay wise she’s smashing it back then give it a few days and it’s back to square one. Just fussy or manipulating me haha and I think it’s the latter

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

Thanks both! No she hasn’t any teeth problems, vets have looked in there loads recently when she was ill with a uti. She’s always been like it, never known anything like it. Plus, i have seen her eating long strands and more coarse ones if she want it! she's just picky! Whenever something new is in there hay wise she’s smashing it back then give it a few days and it’s back to square one. Just fussy or manipulating me haha and I think it’s the latter

In that case, in your shoes I'd follow @Wiebke 's advice if possible. My guineas used to wrap me round their little paws too, but it's not ideal.

 

[Gadzy]

I know! I think I’ve cracked it then she just goes to picking! Although, the other one is being selective now, but that’s because I have spoilt them recently with about 4 different types of hay in there! I’m going to sort it all out tomorrow and feed one and that’s their lot

 

[Chaz]

Dom was like this. I got a cheaper brand and she starved herself. Refused to eat it at all and went down to 500g. Countless vet visits later, I got the good stuff back and she was fine. But at least I knew what to get.

 

[Gadzy]

What do you use out of interest? Mine definitely won’t eat any of the slightly coarse stalky Timothy. Never had any pigs that eat that one, they always prefer a softer blend

 

[Piggies&buns]

Has she been maintaining her weight all the time? If so then she is eating it even if she appears to be being picky

I only ever feed meadow hay. Bales from a farm but I did buy some natures own meadow the other week just to give it a try (which they are enjoying). I rarely feed Timothy hay and when I did try coarse Timothy (it was years ago), they all hated it.