I went out to the Agway to pick-up another two weeks supply of pig food. I told them I wanted eight 25# bags of guinea pig pellets. Imagine my surprise and delight when they told me that they now carried it in 50#. Plus it was made by a different company – Blue Seal. And it's less expensive. So I bought 250# of food and spent less than I had planned.
The label says that Blue Seal has no corn and is 20% protein. I'll let you know how everyone does.
I also bought a couple of the food hoppers that hang on the side of the pens. I'm tired of the junior boars climbing into their dishes and peeing on most of the food. They are still figuring out how to use the new food dispensers, but so far no one has climbed in and peed.
This afternoon I am driving up to Elmira to meet Shelley of the Shire Cavies and pick up four satin teddies she is getting for me from Bee Balm Farms.
I have heard wonderful things about Blue Seal! I hope you get fantastic results too. It's not something I can get out this way.
I also use feed hoppers (5 1/2 inch J feeders), and they work great. No cavies have ever tried to climb in them and potty. Little dry poops do seem to collect in the feed tray, but I think this is because they stick to the cavies feet, then the cavy puts his feet up in the hopper to eat. My hopers are mounted 4" above the floor, so this fact may help keep them cleaner and drier.
Good luck with the new food!
Posted by: Leslie Freeland | August 12, 2005 at 12:03 PM
I have used Blue Seal feed for over a year now and I'm very pleased with it. I originally started with the BS Bunny 18 (on the advice of someone who has beautiful, healthy pigs) and supplemented the Vit C. After a few months I decided the protein wasn't enough so I now mix the Bunny with the Cavy, 50/50. I still supplement with Vit C 3 or 4 times a week, at about half the usual dosage and this seems to be the best feeding method for my pigs.
I'm looking forward to the first show of the season, September 17th in Mullica Hill, NJ for many reasons. One reason though is that I'll be able to pick up some hopper feeders from the supplier! Between the jrs who use their feed for a toilet area and some of the older pigs who insist on tilting or flipping the crock before they eat, I don't really want to know how much food I'm wasting ;)
Good luck with the new feed!!
Posted by: Denise McDougall | August 13, 2005 at 08:38 AM
ugh. I hate it when the little boys do that. And I have an american sow who MUST tip her food bowl over before she can eat. ^_^
Posted by: Kayleigh Welch | August 16, 2005 at 09:35 AM