Battle Of The Hays

[gus+walter]

I've seen a lot of threads about different types of hay and decided to conduct my own experiment to see the difference.
My boys usually have meadow hay from a local farm which they love. The last batch however, was a bit dusty and caused some little pig sneezes.
So, I had a look around and decided hay for pets seemed to have the best comments. They do little sample bags of each hay, which made this experiment possible.
First we have Tims and Rye:

This smells like a summer day in the country
Meadow Hay: This is so green! Smells lovely and sweet, very fresh stuff!
And then there's Ings Hay: There are no words to describe how amazing this stuff smells! It's really green and there's a little popcorn about it already...but that could be down to the rustle of bags.
THE FINAL OUTCOME: Clear winner is Ings.
A few sniffs and nibbles of each and a couple of mix arounds with the bags, Walter keeps trying to drag this little bag off!
Hope this helps anyone who is a little overwhelmed about all the different hays available.

 

[sport_billy]

Thanks for this thread, having an issue with hay at moment... The girls aren't liking our usual Hay from Dustfreehay So have been trying a few places, but yet to find one they really enjoy...

Hayforpets - This place http://www.hayforpets.co.uk/ Will give them a taste test I think... Well the piggies will

 

[piggyfan]

My lot love ings hay too!

 

[gus+walter]

My lot love ings hay too!

It smells so nice I was quite tempted to nibble it with them! Think I'll be getting Ings from now on

 

[PiggySmitten]

I can also add, having tried a big bag of each of the Ings and the meadow hay from hay for pets, that the Ings is a LOT easier to brush off fleece bedding before washing.

Here's a fleece today after some serious brushing which had the meadow hay on. It's the seed head things which stick into the fleece.

 

[Chief Guinea Pig]

So pleased your piggies liked the hay!

I can also add, having tried a big bag of each of the Ings and the meadow hay from hay for pets, that the Ings is a LOT easier to brush off fleece bedding before washing.

Here's a fleece today after some serious brushing which had the meadow hay on. It's the seed head things which stick into the fleece.
View attachment 14917

I was wondering what those head seed things were!

 

[smokeysmummy]

Oohhh I've been looking at both hayforpets and dust free (more for me than smokey lol). Will definitely get some testers and do the same experiment! x

 

[biscandmatt]

great experiment

i get all three hays from hay4pets at the moment. meadow for the hay area and then the other two mixed together in other areas of the cage.

 

[Jen H]

That's a great help thanks. Love the pics!

 

[funnehmare]

Ings was the biggest hit with my lot too! Buns turned their noses up at it though...pesky buns!

 

[theoretikos]

I've gone back to Hay for Pets just to give the boys a wee change and they are popcorning over the Ings again

I love the photos you've used!

 

[garfieldette]

The Hay Experts do a nice little taster pack of 6 different hays that I get for the kids as a treat now and again http://www.thehayexperts.co.uk/taster-selection-sample-pack.html

 

[PiggySmitten]

The Hay Experts do a nice little taster pack of 6 different hays that I get for the kids as a treat now and again http://www.thehayexperts.co.uk/taster-selection-sample-pack.html

That looks great but I was surprised by the postal charge. £4.99 for the sample 6 pack and then £3.35 on top for the postage!

Presumably, you order other stuff at the same time?

Also I saw some of the reviews on the site said they'd received it in plastic bags rather than paper. That wouldn't put me off on its own but it is a shame given we know piggies love paper bags filled with hay.

 

[Treacle]

Thanks for this thread, having an issue with hay at moment... The girls aren't liking our usual Hay from Dustfreehay So have been trying a few places, but yet to find one they really enjoy...

Hayforpets - This place http://www.hayforpets.co.uk/ Will give them a taste test I think... Well the piggies will

Interesting, Dustfreehay is just down the road from me (the road being the A50, and just, about 15 miles), being local I was going to give them a try, and see if I could collect, but I might try hay for pets now.

 

[Veggies Galore]

Interesting, Dustfreehay is just down the road from me (the road being the A50, and just, about 15 miles), being local I was going to give them a try, and see if I could collect, but I might try hay for pets now.

I've had a delivery from dust free hay recently and am very pleased with it - I like the packaging it comes in too . I got the multi pack and it came in boxes

 

[amyhr95]

Sounds like Ings is a winner, where can you buy this stuff?

 

[gus+walter]

Sounds like Ings is a winner, where can you buy this stuff?

http://www.hayforpets.co.uk/

 

[amyhr95]

http://www.hayforpets.co.uk/

Thanks!

 

[sport_billy]

Interesting, Dustfreehay is just down the road from me (the road being the A50, and just, about 15 miles), being local I was going to give them a try, and see if I could collect, but I might try hay for pets now.

I have normally being really happy with them, but the last batch the girls are ignoring

I've had a delivery from dust free hay recently and am very pleased with it - I like the packaging it comes in too . I got the multi pack and it came in boxes

Howe long ago was it do you know? The last lot we had was brown... Is yours nice and green?

 

[Veggies Galore]

I have normally being really happy with them, but the last batch the girls are ignoring



Howe long ago was it do you know? The last lot we had was brown... Is yours nice and green?

Very recent . Only a week ago. I ordered 3 boxes of soft and one of Timothy as I have plenty of course hay at the moment. I was very pleased with both - both were nice and green.

I would recommend everyone to check all their hay as soon as they get it. It is a natural product and therefore will vary from batch to batch. If you are not happy - tell the supplier straight away.

I have had some disappointing deliveries from Hay for Pets but have always had a replacement so am happy with Hay for Pets.

 

[sport_billy]

Ours was two months back, I will order a box to see what it is like again

 

[Treacle]

Just had email back from dust free hay, I can collect, just need to text them first. Will go and have a look. I noticed on their web site they said something about a batch of hay being brown. So they are on the case, if it is the same instance @sport_billy

 

[afu]

How long does a bag of ings usually last? I have two 6 month old boars to feed

 

[gus+walter]

How long does a bag of ings usually last? I have two 6 month old boars to feed

I got a medium bag of ings about 6 weeks ago and there's still loads left. My boys are a year old and munch it like it's going out of fashion!

 

[PiggySmitten]

How long does a bag of ings usually last? I have two 6 month old boars to feed

I buy the largest size bag from hay for pets and it lasts me now about 6 weeks feeding 8 guinea pigs (2 six month old boars who are big for their age and 6 girls who I think are all adult size).