Timothy hay cube/chip brands

[incognet]

Timothy hay is a staple food of many tortoises, including my juvenile Aldabra. Rehydrated hay chips are ~70% of her diet. We initially tried Kaytee brand, for lack of better options, but have since discovered Farmer Dave's Pet Supply (who also sell through Etsy).

Dave's product is more green, fragrant and fresh (presumably). Unlike the Kaytee brand cubes, it doesn't contain alfalfa. You can see the difference below; Kaytee on the left, Dave's on the right...

 

[Tom]

I think this varies tremendously around the country. I've not seen "Farmer Dave's" out here, but I'll bet he can ship it and it looks like a good product. Thanks for the tip!

I prefer to avoid Timothy hay, though I think it is probably fine when it's ground up into cubes or pellets. I prefer to use orchard grass hay, cubes or pellets. I also use Bermuda hay and pellets, and the tortoises seems to like it a lot.

Horses and other livestock are very common where I live, and we have several feed stores and also Tractor Supply stores to get our "horse/tortoise" feed from. I'll have to look at the bag to see what brand I've been using, but my local feed store just delivers it with the rest of my order of hay, emu pellets, chicken food, dog food, pigeon food, rat food, Mazuri tortoise chow, etc... I think it is O.H. Kruse if memory serves...

 

[incognet]

I think this varies tremendously around the country. I've not seen "Farmer Dave's" out here, but I'll bet he can ship it and it looks like a good product. Thanks for the tip!

I prefer to avoid Timothy hay, though I think it is probably fine when it's ground up into cubes or pellets. I prefer to use orchard grass hay, cubes or pellets. I also use Bermuda hay and pellets, and the tortoises seems to like it a lot.

Horses and other livestock are very common where I live, and we have several feed stores and also Tractor Supply stores to get our "horse/tortoise" feed from. I'll have to look at the bag to see what brand I've been using, but my local feed store just delivers it with the rest of my order of hay, emu pellets, chicken food, dog food, pigeon food, rat food, Mazuri tortoise chow, etc... I think it is O.H. Kruse if memory serves...

Yeah, I believe that Dave only sells through Etsy and their webstore. I've never seen this brand on shelves anywhere.

We actually live near a cluster of feed stores (TSC, Atwoods and Sutherlands), but they don't carry anything smaller than 40lb bags. Olive just couldn't eat this fast enough on her own.

I may switch to local options (like Standlee brand) once she has grown a bit.