hay question

[lizd2323]

I have a 16 week old chin. The breeder I got him from only feeds her chins alfalfa hay so that is what I have been giving him and he loves it of course. I also know it is good for young chins to help fatten them up. I have tried mixing in timothy hay to give variety but he either throws it on the floor of his cage or doesn't eat it. Is it ok to just keep him on alfalfa hay? I don't want him to get to fat on it the older he gets. Suggestions?? oh and I have tried different brands and he still doesn't like it.

 

[seachin]

Are you on an alfalfa-based or timothy-based pellet? If the former, then most would agree that is too much protein and can cause problems later on. Most common feeding regimen is an alfalfa-based pellet and fresh timothy hay. If your breeder was feeding a timothy-based pellet then the fresh alfalfa is fine. Though, I would get annoyed as I cannot find good fresh alfalfa (since its a legume hay versus the grassy timothy hay). I have my chins on an alfalfa-based pellet and fresh timothy hay. Any transition or switch from the normal routine is going to have resistance. Similar to with treats....it's like taking candy away from a child.

 

[lizd2323]

He gets Mazuri pellets and oxbow alfalfa hay so im not sure what I need to do to correct his diet. He is my first chin and I want him to have the best so any advise would be great

 

[seachin]

Mazuri id already high in protein and is alfalfa-based. He should be on a Timothy hay for his forage. He will fight it for awhile, as alfalfa is good tasting, but in the long term, timothy hay needs to be given to him. The breeder likely was trying to make sure he grew big, but I think most would agree that he should be transitioned over to timothy and alfalfa reduced or just as an occasional treat. The timothy is better for teeth grinding and fiber content....Oxbow is a decent petstore brand but I like Kleenmama's....can you find any good fresh organic timothy hay near you?

 

[lizd2323]

Thank you so much for the advise! Im learning though. I will start reducing the alfalfa. im from a small town so I am having to mainly order everything unless I make it to the city, which doesn't happen often. I will look into the kleenmama's and see if I can find it. Oxbow just seemed to be a better quality than the cheap stuff I can get around town.