Hay Question

[ChinCinco]

I was just wondering what people thought of the Kaytee Timothy Hay for their chins?? I have always purchased it from Pet Supply Plus or Petsmart. I have started doing a little more research on the forums looking for some others places to buy hay but I figured I would see what other chin owners thought about the Kaytee hay before I switched to anything else.
My second question is should I consider giving them other different types of hay along with the Timothy hay or is just Timothy hay ok for them?
Thanks!
Jennifer

 

[GorillaJTA]

The biggest concern that I have with brands such a kaytee is that there is no accountability for where the hay comes from or the freshness of it. The hay is bought in pallets and sits until it gets sold, whether it is a week or a year. I prefer to buy from smaller feed stores where there is normally a higher turnover.
If the hay is fresh (smells grassy) and does not have brown spots all over it, then it should be fine, but my experience with kaytee has been brown hay with little nutritional value.

 

[ChinCinco]

Ya that I what I am starting to think to. Does anyone know where I could order some good hay? I have 5 lil chins so preferably larger amounts since we go through a good amount of hay I just want to make sure they are eating enough good hay because I have started to noticed more that they are just picking up peices and throwing them down and I have a feeling it might have something to do with the brand of hay I buy. There are not a lot of feed stores around me. There is one about 30 minutes away were I get my pellets from but I am not sure if they sell the timothy hay...I will have to call them tomorrow.
Does anything think I should add others types of hay to their feedings...if so what types would be best for them??

 

[ticklechin]

American Pet diner has some really nice hay, www.americanpetdiner.com

 

[fanofdmb84]

I've started ordering the Oxbow hay from Dr. Fosters and Smith. It was the cheapest I could find without sacrificing the variety. Chins can (and do) fine on just timothy, but I like to offer different types throughout the week because they seem to get bored with one kind. I have one chin who just doesn't like hay and its always a struggle to get him to eat it, regardless of brand/type/etc.

I was buying it locally at Pet Supplies Plus but they stopped carrying the oat grass and it was hit or miss with some of the other varieties, so buying here in bulk saved money and ensures I can get what I want when I want it.

I considered just buying hay locally from the farmers around here but I would always have to check for quality and I know I wouldn't be able to find the nice variety...it would be timothy or alfalfa. I also don't need to buy 70lb bales at a time for only 3 chins.

 

[RDZCRanch]

You don't have to feed different kinds of hay unless you want to. It's only necessary that they have a grass hay in their diet to wear down on the molars and add fiber.

I get my hay from a local horse owner. She has five horses and has to buy Oat hay and Alfalfa hay in bulk so I can get enough to last 70 chins a couple months for $10 or less. She's just as picky about no pesticides as I am since she does breed her one horse every few years.

 

[starleomach]

I also just use horse hay. We have horses so I just raid the barn and grab a flake every few nights.

 

[Essentia]

I also use horse hay. The chins LOVE this new batch from the feed store. It's mainly Timothy and Orchard with some Alfalfa and Clover mixed in. It smells AMAZING.

Check your local feed stores.

 

[ChinCinco]

Thanks for all the advise everyone!! I'm gonna call my feed store tomorrow to see what they have and if they don't have anything I'll look into those 2 websites that were mentioned above