Does Hay Quality Vary With Quantity?
- ItsaZoo
- Supporter in 2023
Does the texture and quality of hay vary when it’s packed in larger quantities?
I have been buying Oxbow Timothy Hay in 40 oz. bags. That’s the largest size sold at our Humane Society store. A few times I’ve ordered the 90 oz. size from Chewy and thought the hay was more course. I recently ordered the 9 lb. bag and the hay strands are very long and tangled. Some are thick like straw, and I think I’m throwing more out that isn’t getting eaten.
Has anyone else noticed a difference in quality and package sizes?
I have been buying Oxbow Timothy Hay in 40 oz. bags. That’s the largest size sold at our Humane Society store. A few times I’ve ordered the 90 oz. size from Chewy and thought the hay was more course. I recently ordered the 9 lb. bag and the hay strands are very long and tangled. Some are thick like straw, and I think I’m throwing more out that isn’t getting eaten.
Has anyone else noticed a difference in quality and package sizes?
I have noticed a difference between types of hay. The 96 oz Forti Diet prepackaged timothy hay I've been buying for 2 years has a lot more smaller bits and pieces, especially when it gets near the bottom of the bag. The bale of orchard hay has much longer and thicker pieces. Mr. Bubbles couldn't care less what hay I give him. He eats all of what I give him. Scruffy, on the other hand is much more picky. He eats the medium length and thickness pieces. Too thin or too thick and he won't touch it. Too long and he'll bite it off after a few inches and then it's on to another peice.
When I've had to get the smaller bag of Forti Diet, I have noticed that it's smaller pieces.
When I've had to get the smaller bag of Forti Diet, I have noticed that it's smaller pieces.
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- And got the T-shirt
Anything you buy from a local store that's packed in small cellophane or plastic bags is of unknown age and quality. You'll get the best bang for your buck by buying online from someplace like American Pet Diner, Small Pet Select, KMS Hayloft, etc. It will be half the cost per pound of that in a pet store, if not even cheaper.
I used Small Pet Select for years, and was very happy with it.
I used Small Pet Select for years, and was very happy with it.
Luckily I live in a town surrounded by ranches so I'm able to get fresh hay from rancher supply stores. I didn't even think of that until Scruffy got sick, lost his appetite and I was forced to look at other things, such as different hay for him to try.
Just keep in mind that a single bale of hay is a ton for Guinea pigs. A horse can eat a bale per day, but piggies, not so much! A full sized bale is at least a 3-4 month supply, even for two guinea pigs. I should have asked for a quarter bale. It's not too much of a problem having that much on hand as long as you have a way to keep it dry like I do. Wet hay molds and that's not good for the piggies.
Just keep in mind that a single bale of hay is a ton for Guinea pigs. A horse can eat a bale per day, but piggies, not so much! A full sized bale is at least a 3-4 month supply, even for two guinea pigs. I should have asked for a quarter bale. It's not too much of a problem having that much on hand as long as you have a way to keep it dry like I do. Wet hay molds and that's not good for the piggies.
- Sef
- I dissent.
I made that same mistake a few years ago, when we first moved to this semi-rural farming community. Saw a local ad for a bale of "fresh timothy hay" which of course ended up being a big horse-size bale. I'll never forget the look on the farmer's face when I said, "Oh. Um...this is for guinea pigs, so could you maybe cut it in half a few times?"
- RavenShade
- Thanks for the Memories
I buy 35-40lbs of KMS Hayloft hay for 3 boars. Always good quality, no matter how much I get (I mix and match types of hay). I agree with bpatters than pretty much any hay that hasn't been on a shelf in a bag for months will be better quality.