Hay questions

[xpokey77x]

I was wondering how frequently can chins have different hays? My chins are free-fed timmy but how often can they have alfalfa, oat, brome, orchard grass, botanical blend and any other more exotic hays? Just as a treat once or twice a week or a mixture?

Also, do they need to be transitioned slowly from say, one batch of timmy to another or just to a new type of hay like they are to pellets?

Thanks for any opinions!

 

[Parkerspetchins]

I wouldn't feed too much alfalfa since it is rich in calcium (and they get plenty in their pellets). As a treat now and then it is fine. Grass hays such as Orchard grass and the brome and botanical (which I believe is mostly timothy) are pretty interchangeable as timothy hay is a grass hay as well. Oat hay is a grain hay and is fine to feed as often as you like if your chins like it as it does not contain high levels of calcium like alfalfa does. You do not need to gradually introduce different hays unless you see a problem with your chinnie's poo. I have never noticed any hay related issues with my chins and I mix a bunch together sometimes ).

 

[aznmexaggie]

Any grass hay is fine to feed as often as you want (timothy, orchard, mountain grass, bermuda, brome, etc.).

If you have a pet chin, I would not give unlimited alfalfa. It is fine as a treat or to add some variety but if your chin is an adult and not being used for breeding, unlimited alfalfa can lead to kidney stones as it is much higher in calcium.

Grain hays such as oat, barley, wheat, etc. also should not be given in unlimited amounts. These hays are rich in phosphorous (and low in calcium) and feeding an excess amount of this long-term can cause calcium deficiencies. It is fine to give as a treat in addition to the grass hays though as it is very coarse and really helps with grinding down those molars.

I find that giving my chins a variety of hays seems to keep their interest in their hay. They all have different textures, flavors, and benefits. Personally, I use timothy as a staple. I give alfalfa as a treat and also give it to any young/growing chins, and pregnant/lactating females. All the other hays I have (oat, wheat, barley, and orchard right now), I just blend in multiple times a week for variety - this is most important for my dental chinnie, Rayna. Since I started giving her a variety of hays and supplementing with vitamin C, she hasn't had to go back for a filing in over a year (the vet said her teeth still looked great at her appointment last month)!