mambo101
Well-Known Member
I was just wondering if anyone here has tried that new "botanical" hay that Oxbow has out. Any good? Is it worth the extra money? Opinions?
New Oxbow Hay
- Thread starter mambo101
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I get timothy and oat hay delivered from Oxbow..never heard of the other unless it is a combination of all their hays??
Pipp
Well-Known Member
I've been on the Oxbow website looking to order some Oat hay for Pipp, didn't see anything labeled 'botanical'.
There's Western Timothy, and this...
Your pet will also enjoy:
Orchard Grass Hay, Oat Hay, Brome Hay, Hay Cakes
Love to find out more info before I order it on Monday.
sas
There's Western Timothy, and this...
Your pet will also enjoy:
Orchard Grass Hay, Oat Hay, Brome Hay, Hay Cakes
Love to find out more info before I order it on Monday.
sas
Pipp... I ordered the oat, timothy and brome. They like the brome the least, timothy is #1 and oat came in 2nd
naturestee
Well-Known Member
Is this the stuff with the herbs mixed in it? I got an email from them about it a while back. It was only being offered as a promotion before they started advertising and really selling it. I haven't tried it.
I do know that you if you dry herbs of your own, you could mix them in the hay. I also have a little packet of dried nettles that was sold at a petstore for mixing into hay, and it does make the hay more interesting to the buns if I only use it once in a while.
Edit: Pipp, I've never tried their brome but the oat hay has achieved true treat status here! The Orchard grass is also good (but they didn't have big boxes the last time I ordered) and their timothy is a staple here. The box I got last spring wasn't quite as good as the last ones, though. Probably due to the season.
I do know that you if you dry herbs of your own, you could mix them in the hay. I also have a little packet of dried nettles that was sold at a petstore for mixing into hay, and it does make the hay more interesting to the buns if I only use it once in a while.
Edit: Pipp, I've never tried their brome but the oat hay has achieved true treat status here! The Orchard grass is also good (but they didn't have big boxes the last time I ordered
) and their timothy is a staple here. The box I got last spring wasn't quite as good as the last ones, though. Probably due to the season.manda
Well-Known Member
when they do finally start selling it, i am trying a small bag.
yeah i got an email about it too.
yeah i got an email about it too.
Pipp
Well-Known Member
I'll try ANYTHING to get Pipp to eat hay. I've been able to get a few nibbles, but only after soaking the stuff in so much apple juice, hardly seems worth it. :sigh
Love to see the email, can somebody post it? Thanks!
sas
Love to see the email, can somebody post it? Thanks!
sas
Nobody from Oxbow e-mailed me and they sure get alot of business from me?
naturestee
Well-Known Member
You have to sign up for an email list. They don't spam you unless you want them to.
I can forward the email to anyone who wants it. I think that's the only way to get it right now. It's $5.25 for only 15 oz.
_______________________________________________________________
At Oxbow we understand that hay is vital to the health of small herbivores. We also understand that keeping your small herbivore interested in hay can often be challenging. Oxbows new Botanical Hay just made it easier! A rich blend of herbs united with Western Timothy hay to stimulate your pets appetite for hay and create a relaxing getaway in your pets habitat. The fragrant herbs enhance the aroma and taste of the hay, which provides long-strand fiber necessary for your pets digestive health. Western Timothy is the # 1 recommended hay by veterinarians for the health of your animal.
Ingredients: Timothy Grass Hay and three of the following herbs depending on seasonal changes: Chamomile, Lemon Verbena, Hibiscus, Lavender, Rose Hips, Comfrey, Borage, Red Clover Blossoms.
Guaranteed Analysis
I can forward the email to anyone who wants it. I think that's the only way to get it right now. It's $5.25 for only 15 oz.
_______________________________________________________________
At Oxbow we understand that hay is vital to the health of small herbivores. We also understand that keeping your small herbivore interested in hay can often be challenging. Oxbows new Botanical Hay just made it easier! A rich blend of herbs united with Western Timothy hay to stimulate your pets appetite for hay and create a relaxing getaway in your pets habitat. The fragrant herbs enhance the aroma and taste of the hay, which provides long-strand fiber necessary for your pets digestive health. Western Timothy is the # 1 recommended hay by veterinarians for the health of your animal.
Ingredients: Timothy Grass Hay and three of the following herbs depending on seasonal changes: Chamomile, Lemon Verbena, Hibiscus, Lavender, Rose Hips, Comfrey, Borage, Red Clover Blossoms.
Guaranteed Analysis
- Crude protein - min 8.0%
- Crude fat - min 1.50%
- Crude fiber - max 32.0%
- Moisture - max 15.0%
Bo B Bunny
Well-Known Member
I haven't even heard of it. I buy my Oxbow at the petstores I go to. I have noticed the darker pieces in the timothy hay recently, and spoke to them regarding it. It seems that those darker pieces are actually stronger in nutrients - but Bo thinks they are yucky! :?
Spring
Well-Known Member
Oh wow! I don't know how people afford oxbow hay! I go through so much with Pebbles,I bought a bale and it is fantastic quality, nice and fresh.
manda
Well-Known Member
yeah the price is pretty crazy. i was spending about nine bucks a week. but luckily i have a free sorce of some good hay now. i still will by some stuff from oxbow, like their new hay, and some oat hay
Pipp
Well-Known Member
Hey Bo! Nice to see you.
With all the horses and sheep in your world, just grab a bale. I've gotfive bunnies, I buy a 80lb bale for $12 instead of the2 lbs for $7 at the pet store. As you've probably seen, they love playing in it, burrowing in it, pooping in it and sleeping in it as well as eating it.
And oddly enough, mostof my bunnies prefer eatingthe brown stuff over the green.
I was just on the Oxbow site looking at this article when thisthread popped up:
Not All Hay Parts Are Created Equal
Lab results from this years timothy crop show a high variability between the nutrient values associated with the leaves, stems, and seed heads. Physiologically, plants are designed to store nutrients and energy in places such as leaves, roots, and seeds. Likewise, structural fiber resides elsewhere to support the stalk. The leaves and seed heads, generally the more palatable regions of the plant, contain more protein and less fiber than the less desirable stems. Overall, the total nutrients gained (TDN) from these areas are likewise higher, as are the levels of calcium when compared to stems. Quantitatively, the stems contain 50% less protein and 25% more fiber than hay leaves and heads.
Animals more readily consume the plant parts that are easiest to digest for the quickest energy gain. Perhaps the largest benefit from hay, however, comes from the fiber. We feed hay for fiber because it aids proper digestion, is mentally stimulating, properly wears teeth, reduces the likeliness of hairballs, and keeps pets healthy. Owners should be encouraged NOT to replace hay that goes unconsumed in order to ensure that leaves and stems are eaten. Hay is very stable and may remain in the cage or litter box for days if it has not been soiled. Add to your pets hay when needed. Try adding a second type of grass hay for taste variety. Good grass-eaters that are not overfed will consume one to two body-sized portions of hay per day. Grass hay should be available at all times, but just remember that your pet knows that not all hay parts are created equal!
Protein
11.5% (leaves)
4.97% (stem)
13.1% (seed head)
Fiber
23.6% (leaves)
33.5% (stem)
26.1% (seed head)
TDN
68.2% (leaves)
57.0% (stem)
65.4% (seed head)
Ca
0.45% (leaves)
0.13% (stem)
0.24% (seed head)
With all the horses and sheep in your world, just grab a bale.
I've gotfive bunnies, I buy a 80lb bale for $12 instead of the2 lbs for $7 at the pet store. As you've probably seen, they love playing in it, burrowing in it, pooping in it and sleeping in it as well as eating it. And oddly enough, mostof my bunnies prefer eatingthe brown stuff over the green.
I was just on the Oxbow site looking at this article when thisthread popped up:
Not All Hay Parts Are Created Equal
Lab results from this years timothy crop show a high variability between the nutrient values associated with the leaves, stems, and seed heads. Physiologically, plants are designed to store nutrients and energy in places such as leaves, roots, and seeds. Likewise, structural fiber resides elsewhere to support the stalk. The leaves and seed heads, generally the more palatable regions of the plant, contain more protein and less fiber than the less desirable stems. Overall, the total nutrients gained (TDN) from these areas are likewise higher, as are the levels of calcium when compared to stems. Quantitatively, the stems contain 50% less protein and 25% more fiber than hay leaves and heads.
Animals more readily consume the plant parts that are easiest to digest for the quickest energy gain. Perhaps the largest benefit from hay, however, comes from the fiber. We feed hay for fiber because it aids proper digestion, is mentally stimulating, properly wears teeth, reduces the likeliness of hairballs, and keeps pets healthy. Owners should be encouraged NOT to replace hay that goes unconsumed in order to ensure that leaves and stems are eaten. Hay is very stable and may remain in the cage or litter box for days if it has not been soiled. Add to your pets hay when needed. Try adding a second type of grass hay for taste variety. Good grass-eaters that are not overfed will consume one to two body-sized portions of hay per day. Grass hay should be available at all times, but just remember that your pet knows that not all hay parts are created equal!
Protein
11.5% (leaves)
4.97% (stem)
13.1% (seed head)
Fiber
23.6% (leaves)
33.5% (stem)
26.1% (seed head)
TDN
68.2% (leaves)
57.0% (stem)
65.4% (seed head)
Ca
0.45% (leaves)
0.13% (stem)
0.24% (seed head)
Bo B Bunny
Well-Known Member
You know, it wasn't bad with one bunny, but then add Clover and the Pig and it's pricey!
I've recently been giving Clover some of the alfalfa hay from the barn. It doesn't hurt him since he's a baby. We give the pig the hay Bo throws out (he loves it and it's not wasting - and it's clean cause Bo actually throws it OUT in a pile lol)....
Bo can't have barn hay (allergic to the dust) and the alfalfa is too much for him. He LOVES hay so he eats a lot.
Those things have helped the old pocket book a bit...
I've recently been giving Clover some of the alfalfa hay from the barn. It doesn't hurt him since he's a baby. We give the pig the hay Bo throws out (he loves it and it's not wasting - and it's clean cause Bo actually throws it OUT in a pile lol)....
Bo can't have barn hay (allergic to the dust) and the alfalfa is too much for him. He LOVES hay so he eats a lot.
Those things have helped the old pocket book a bit...
naturestee
Well-Known Member
Hiya Bo! What's this about more bunnies? I need an update!
I have two bales from a local farmer and they're not very dusty at all. Probably less dusty than my current box of Oxbow Timothy. Maybe you could find someone to sell you better bales, just one or two at a time for the rabbits?
I have two bales from a local farmer and they're not very dusty at all. Probably less dusty than my current box of Oxbow Timothy. Maybe you could find someone to sell you better bales, just one or two at a time for the rabbits?
Bo B Bunny
Well-Known Member
Well, my avatar is Clover - he's a little wild cottontail who got injured the day after Easter. My sister brought him to me and he was about 3 weeks old I would guess.
We had to syringe feed him and water down his pellets...... he's very healthy except his one hip must have been dislocated. It is a bit off kilter and he's too friendly to be released, so I kept him (much to my husband's displeasure :?)
Pig is the Guinea Pig (George)....
We've tried hay from different places and besides the fact it's dusty or something, the alfalfa isn't good for him. It could be that making him sick when he's had it. I do get some hay from my Sister Inlaw for the pig and Clover and the sheep. I'll buy Bo's.
We had to syringe feed him and water down his pellets...... he's very healthy except his one hip must have been dislocated. It is a bit off kilter and he's too friendly to be released, so I kept him (much to my husband's displeasure :?)
Pig is the Guinea Pig (George)....
We've tried hay from different places and besides the fact it's dusty or something, the alfalfa isn't good for him. It could be that making him sick when he's had it. I do get some hay from my Sister Inlaw for the pig and Clover and the sheep. I'll buy Bo's.
I did a google search and found it on oxbow's site:
http://www.oxbowhay.com/Shop/showProduct.sp?PRODUCT_NO=85
http://www.oxbowhay.com/Shop/showProduct.sp?PRODUCT_NO=85
MyBabyBunnies
Well-Known Member
Yay! Bo B Bunny's back! I can only imagine how expensive hay is if you buy from stores, I would be broke. My bunnies are huge hay fans so luckily I can get Timothy bales so easily and for so cheap! Pellets on the other hand... well lets say I'm looking for a cheaper alternative.
Pipp
Well-Known Member
I find the 'bunny allergic to hay' thing really funny, but I sure hear about it often enough,it's definitely true! :lol:
It's like humans being allergic to... food! (But then again, the 'trendy' allergy in health circles around here is to wheat, so I guess that's the same thing!)
sas
It's like humans being allergic to... food! (But then again, the 'trendy' allergy in health circles around here is to wheat, so I guess that's the same thing!)
sas
