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Old 02-19-2017, 06:12 PM   #1
JLPrairie
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Default Growing Fresh Hay?

Name says it all, but I'm considering growing alfalfa/timothy hay seeds for a future hamster. How should I give the hay once grown? Do I need to dissect it or dry it or run it thru any other process after growing? And how would I now when the grass is ripe, etc.?
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Old 02-19-2017, 06:14 PM   #2
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Default Re: Growing Fresh Hay?

It would not be that beneficial.Grass isn't really the most appropriate thing to feed a hamster,but you could certainly look towards sprouted seeds instead which would be more beneficial!
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Old 02-19-2017, 06:16 PM   #3
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Default Re: Growing Fresh Hay?

To be honest, hamsters don't need hay, unlike guinea pigs and rabbits and you would need to remove any sharp bits that could damage their cheek pouches. I believe Cypher has grown a few cage plants that her hamsters have enjoyed. Hopefully Cypher will be able to recommend a few things.
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Old 02-19-2017, 06:25 PM   #4
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Default Re: Growing Fresh Hay?

Would this work?
https://www.amazon.com/Sprouting-Alf...s=alfalfa+seed


Any other ideas for growing hamster-safe stuff would be great...(gardening freak)
I already have mint, and the basil seeds are shipping after an unsuccessful propagation in an attempt to preserve them over the winter...oh well.
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Old 02-19-2017, 06:31 PM   #5
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Default Re: Growing Fresh Hay?

Growing any fresh hamster safe veggies would be excellent! This way they're fresh, all natural, and you know exactly what's going into them! No fertilizers or chemicals abound. Things like cucumber, beans, broccoli, cauliflower, blueberries, strawberries, spinach, carrot, etc. all work excellently. Now both you and your hamster can enjoy fresh foods
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Old 02-19-2017, 06:44 PM   #6
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Default Re: Growing Fresh Hay?

Alfalfa sprouts might work fine and would have more benefits than the legume-grass(hard to explain,but guinea pig and rabbit owners know what I mean!)type/stage.

Carrot as mentioned can be very simple to grow,and carrot tops would probably be ideal for this as they tend to be much more compact.

You could try growing echinacea and drying out the petals,which is both a very pretty flower and has some very interesting health benefits Safe flowers can be done similarly,but I'm not entirely certain of other species of flower that would be safe as there are so many varieties of a lot of things such as sunflower!
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Old 02-19-2017, 06:52 PM   #7
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Default Re: Growing Fresh Hay?

Does anybody else know some safe varieties of flowers?
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Old 02-19-2017, 11:16 PM   #8
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Default Re: Growing Fresh Hay?

Alfalfa sprouts shouldn't be given as they are toxic in the early stages of growth & can only be fed when they've grown to about 15-20cm tall I think.
There are plenty of things you can grow for them, just a few of the possibilities are millet, wheat, oats, barley (whole grains/groats), sunflower seeds, buckwheat groats there's a good ready made mix from shelled warriors which all my hams enjoy, grass is actually fine for them in small amounts but personally I wouldn't give anything that's been grown outside as you never know what's been on it, even in your own garden!
If you want to give flowers then daisy & dandelion can be given fresh, you can buy a lot of different flowers & dried plant for them which are fine, favourites are sunflower petals, cornflowers & marigolds but I always freeze them first.
Have a read here if you're really into growing things!

I have to confess to being a bit of a gardening freak myself & find it impossible not to grow things for my hams, it's a lot of fun & they really appreciate the effort!

ETA I forgot to answer your original question, hamsters can have hay & mine enjoy having some in the cage, growing your own really isn't advisable unless you understand the drying process completely to avoid fungus & moulds which could be harmful, if you still want to use hay buy the best quality softest hay you can find, freeze it for at least 48hrs or longer, before putting in the cage carefully go through it & remove any sharp pieces that could possibly damage pouches.
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Last edited by cypher; 02-20-2017 at 12:20 AM.
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Old 02-20-2017, 08:46 AM   #9
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Default Re: Growing Fresh Hay?

I was about to buy the SW hamster mix, but only ships to the U.K.... But thanks!
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Old 02-20-2017, 09:08 AM   #10
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Default Re: Growing Fresh Hay?

Hadn't realised you weren't in the UK (helps to add your location!) but it does give a list of the plants that are in that seed mix so if you're keen you could source some seeds & make your own.
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