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Forum DIET & CARE What is the best brand of Timothy hay?

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    • Number1Sticky
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         I’m guessing it’s kms hayloft (I know they have the best guinea pig food) or oxbow. But which one it better? Or does it really matter? I’m about to get some guinea pig food from kms hayloft  and was planning on getting some hay also (it would be 3rd cut timothy hay), but wanted to first find out if it was the best. I want the best for my babies.

         
        Thanks for any help!!!


      • Sarita
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          It really has to do with the cut and the season, not necessarily the supplier or brand.

          I myself prefer KMS or American Pet Diner. I purchase 2nd and 3rd cut, but 1st cut has the most fiber. I have gotten the 3rd cut KMS hay and it’s very nice in my opinion. It’s very different though from the first and the second cut.

          But this is just my opinion on what I think is best. Not every one is going to have the same opinions on what is best.


        • Stickerbunny
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            My picky buns say the best hay ever is oxbow orchard grass, so I go with what they say because they are the masters in the house and I am just the servant. But, either brand is good for them.


          • Beka27
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              Yeah, you can’t really say which is best b/c some buns will eat one and not another. If you can get a small amount first to try, that is a good idea, before you buy a huge box. Any of those brands are high quality. The pet store hays (like Kaytee) tend to be poor quality, very dusty and no long fibrous strands.


            • mzsunshine
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                Just wondering, if we were to switch from one brand hay to another brand hay, would we have to do it gradually like we do w/ pellets? or can we just give it to them whenever?


              • Stickerbunny
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                  I didn’t gradually switch mine over when I changed brands (Stickers came on Kaytee and I didn’t see any hay in the shelter when I got Powder), I just gave them the new hay.


                • bunnyfriend
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                    I buy the bales of Oxbow sometimes. And sometimes I buy horse quality (which is good quality hay) from my state’s chapter of the House Rabbit Society- $7 a bale, you can’t go wrong. Never have heard of KMS before…I’ll have to check it out! I did not gradually switch over, but Wilbur ate more of the new hay than she was of the old so it worked out great.


                  • Bunnehs
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                      I buy my hale at the hay barn! My buns really loved oxbow hay because it was 2nd cut. I think my hay barn hay is 1st cut but i love the sound of crunchy hay! =) KMS hay sounds great!


                    • Malp_15
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                        I buy 1st cut Timothy from my local equine rescue for $3/50lb bale. I have used pretty much every kind of Oxbow hay, but this locally grown stuff is just the bees knees according to Tait I still use oxbow orchard grass or oat as a suppliment hay though.


                      • lindsay715
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                           not sure what the best kind is, but wesley wont touch the kaytee stuff at all.   so i wouldnt recommend that. 


                        • kamdynandsunshinesmom
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                            I would have to say oxbow. I have only tried one other brand of hay and nothing compares to oxbow!


                          • Bunnehs
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                              I agree oxbow is delicious! maybe it shall be part of our christmas gift bag =)


                            • ARrescue
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                                KMS hay is to die for. I’ve tried their alfalfa and blue grass blend (for younger rabbits and my chinchilla) and recently purchased a bunch of 2nd cut timothy. It’s perfect and everyone goes crazy for it. I run a rescue for small animals and every pet that I’ve taken in LOVES KMS hay. Guinea pigs go gaga for it too, and their guinea pig pellets are also fantastic and the best out there next to oxbow. Personally, I don’t think Oxbow’s timothy hay is very consistent. Sometimes it’s nice but I get a couple really coarse bad bags. KMS is beautiful, green, and has a good mix of coarser stalks and soft leaf.

                                That being said, shipping is expensive, but it’s worth it. I’m looking for a cheap place to buy hay in bulk in the area, but if it isn’t as high quality, I’ll just stick with KMS Hayloft.


                              • Number1Sticky
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                                  Thanks for all the help. I ordered some KMS. I also have a guinea pig that will be eating it. I also ordered some pellets from them for my pig. I don’t think my rabbits will be picky. Right now they just get Kaytee. So I’m sure KMS will tastes better to them.

                                  The way I figured it out KMS will actually be cheaper then Kaytee, including shipping. So it’s just better all around. Even if it cost more I want the best for my animals. So I’m trying to feed them all the best food available for them.


                                • SpaceBunny
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                                    I just bought 2nd and 3rd cut samples from kms and watched my Holland Lop go crazy for the 3rd cut

                                    This is amazing because before this he would almost only eat alfalfa.

                                    You guys may have saved his life, thank you


                                  • jerseygirl
                                    Moderator
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                                      That’s great Spacebunny! There’s nothing like seeing a rabbit get excited over hay.

                                      I’ll lock this topic now as it was started in 2011.

                                  Viewing 15 reply threads
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                                  Forum DIET & CARE What is the best brand of Timothy hay?