Post by 3piggles on Jan 22, 2013 14:23:46 GMT
A lot of people complain about hay allergies and other problems, so I thought I would do a basic, simplified tutorial on hay.
Hay is a type of field grass, unlike alfalfa, which is a type of legume. Pigs need unlimited amounts of real hay, and unless the pig is sick or nursing, it's best to skip the non hays. Different types and brands of hay also have different odors when eliminated, so a smelly cage could be a hay reaction.
Hay comes in cuts, usually 2-4 annually depending on the length of the growing season, starting in the Spring with the first cut, and ending in the fall with the 3rd or 4th. Hay started was wild grasses, and over time has been refined to only certain types of grasses in some fields. These are the best sources of specific hays such as Timothy. Field hay, sold by many farms, as simply hay from their fields, and is usually a combination of many different plants from hay to clover. When a hay is advertised as Western Timothy, it should come from a field where mostly all but the WT grasses have been bred out of the field.
Cut makes a big difference with allergies. Allergies are caused by pollen and tiny hay particles getting into the air. The cuts with the least pollen are the cuts with the least seed head, usually second and third cuts. Storage also makes a big difference with allergies. Hay bagged and stored in warehouses for sale in chain stores can be on the shelf way longer than is good for it, with no chance to breathe. Hay from feed stores or hay suppliers is often higher quality and has been stored well, so the allergens are much less.
When buying hay, buy small amounts from as many different suppliers as possible. When opening a bag or box, there should be an instant smell of fresh hay. Check for the number of hard/pointy stalks that could cause eye injuries, seed heads with pollen, and plant material that is not the hay listed on the bag or box. Good quality hay becomes obvious quickly, and the benefit to pigs and humans is worth any extra cost.
I buy my hay from Kleenmama, which is only available in the US, but has fabulous hay. Not only do the pigs love it, but I bought a bag of Oxbow when I ran out of KM the last time, and it gave my husband allergies. I used it as bedding for a while after the new hay arrived, until he asked me to toss it. The pigs did a victory dance when we opened the new box of KM hay, so two votes against the bagged stuff!
Also consider the actual cost per pound when deciding if a certain hay is expensive. While I have to pay shipping for the KM hay, per pound, it's still less than even buying it at the feed store, and I don't have to use gas or put wear on my car to get it.
While Timothy, especially Western Timothy, as been found to produce the most digestive aid for the amount of hay eaten, all hays will move food through a guinea pig digestive system. If Timothy or Western Timothy aren't available, even a basic field hay is okay. Just go through it carefully for hard stalks, leaves, and other things you don't want the pigs eating.
I hope this helps those who suffer from allergies, or who want to find a better hay.
Hay is a type of field grass, unlike alfalfa, which is a type of legume. Pigs need unlimited amounts of real hay, and unless the pig is sick or nursing, it's best to skip the non hays. Different types and brands of hay also have different odors when eliminated, so a smelly cage could be a hay reaction.
Hay comes in cuts, usually 2-4 annually depending on the length of the growing season, starting in the Spring with the first cut, and ending in the fall with the 3rd or 4th. Hay started was wild grasses, and over time has been refined to only certain types of grasses in some fields. These are the best sources of specific hays such as Timothy. Field hay, sold by many farms, as simply hay from their fields, and is usually a combination of many different plants from hay to clover. When a hay is advertised as Western Timothy, it should come from a field where mostly all but the WT grasses have been bred out of the field.
Cut makes a big difference with allergies. Allergies are caused by pollen and tiny hay particles getting into the air. The cuts with the least pollen are the cuts with the least seed head, usually second and third cuts. Storage also makes a big difference with allergies. Hay bagged and stored in warehouses for sale in chain stores can be on the shelf way longer than is good for it, with no chance to breathe. Hay from feed stores or hay suppliers is often higher quality and has been stored well, so the allergens are much less.
When buying hay, buy small amounts from as many different suppliers as possible. When opening a bag or box, there should be an instant smell of fresh hay. Check for the number of hard/pointy stalks that could cause eye injuries, seed heads with pollen, and plant material that is not the hay listed on the bag or box. Good quality hay becomes obvious quickly, and the benefit to pigs and humans is worth any extra cost.
I buy my hay from Kleenmama, which is only available in the US, but has fabulous hay. Not only do the pigs love it, but I bought a bag of Oxbow when I ran out of KM the last time, and it gave my husband allergies. I used it as bedding for a while after the new hay arrived, until he asked me to toss it. The pigs did a victory dance when we opened the new box of KM hay, so two votes against the bagged stuff!
Also consider the actual cost per pound when deciding if a certain hay is expensive. While I have to pay shipping for the KM hay, per pound, it's still less than even buying it at the feed store, and I don't have to use gas or put wear on my car to get it.
While Timothy, especially Western Timothy, as been found to produce the most digestive aid for the amount of hay eaten, all hays will move food through a guinea pig digestive system. If Timothy or Western Timothy aren't available, even a basic field hay is okay. Just go through it carefully for hard stalks, leaves, and other things you don't want the pigs eating.
I hope this helps those who suffer from allergies, or who want to find a better hay.
