Hay Options

[piggycuddler_44]

Hi Everyone,

I got such great advice last time I posted, and after reading about the pros and cons of each type of hay, I though I'd try my luck for some advice about keeping a balanced diet for my piggies.

I have two boys who get unlimited Oaten (Oat) hay. They are also occasionally fed timothy hay. I am finding out that Oaten Hay might not be beneficial all the time, and I was wondering whether I should be feeding mostly Timothy and Pasture (Ryegrass) hay, with Oaten Hay as a treat? I can easily get Pasture Hay if that would be better?

Thanks in advance for the help, much appreciated!

 

[Piggies&buns]

I would feed mostly Timothy and pasture with oat as a treat.

My own piggies are fed and bedded on meadow hay with orchard and Timothy occasionally given when I get it!

 

[piggycuddler_44]

Thank you!

 

[Wiebke]

Oat hay is rather rich and should be seen as an enrichment treat hay rather than a main diet hay.

Timothy, meadow and orchard hay are the three main hay varieties either on their own, as a mix or that in rotation should provide the bulk of the three quarters of the daily grass/hay fibre unless you supplement with fresh grass when in season.

All other internationally available speciality hays are richer - rather treat them as cake and biscuits, not as the daily bread.

 

[piggycuddler_44]

Thank you for the replies! I've been out to the pet store today and returned with big bags of pasture and Timothy hay! I'll introduce in slowly, but they seem to be liking it!

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for the replies! I've been out to the pet store today and returned with big bags of pasture and Timothy hay! I'll introduce in slowly, but they seem to be liking it!

Give the gut microbiome time to adjust over the coming days as different hays require different highly specialised digestive bacteria which need to be scaled up.

Too much rich hay for too long can lead to overweight and potentially also to stone/sludge problems but there is nothing wrong with oat hay as an enrichment treat.