Little Hay Co.

#𝗻𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿

With our attention being elsewhere this week it feels like the launch of our 2024 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵𝘆 has been somewhat overshadowed. But that doesn’t mean we haven’t been super excited about it making a comeback!

So here it is in all its gorgeously green glory! Modelled by Paul & Lionel who were some of the first lucky piggies to get their paws on a box 🐾

It’s definitely green, super crunchy and long in strand! All the things that we know and love about that classic Timothy Hay, produced here in the UK🌱💕🇬🇧

If you haven’t got an order in yet for this new batch of Pure Timothy make sure you check out Paul & Lionel’s instagram page to find yourself a discount code -

We need to address the Elephant in the Hay... some of you may have seen a email today regarding the provenance of Rye Grass hay and the supposed negative effects of feeding it to your pet.

At Little Hay Co the safety and well-being of our customer’s pets is our highest priority. All of our hays undergo regular testing by certified independent laboratories for analysis of nutritional values as well tests for spores, moulds and other deleterious properties that could ever risk your pets health. This is to ensure the products that reach you are the best they can possibly be. We are open and honest about all of our processes from planting seeds through to dispatching the product from our family farm in the Cotswolds.

A balanced diet for a rabbit or guinea pig can be made up of a multitude of different grasses and whilst Timothy and Meadow Hay may well be popular, Cotswold Sweet is an excellent alternative if it suits your pet.

Our blogs have lots of information around all things pet and we will continue be adding to them in the next few days hopefully bringing clarity to a temporarily confusing situation.

Please rest assured that you know your pet best and a herbivore eating any hay in large quantities is better than he or she eating no hay at all. Our pets show us when they are not feeling well and whilst your pet is active, mobile and producing regular, healthy golden poops then you can feel safe continuing with their diet as it is.

Any change in diet should be managed gradually we would recommend following our transition guide on our blog.

We believe in conducting business with integrity and respect to both our valued customers and esteemed competitors. We remain focused on our mission to provide high-quality, safe products to our customers and their animals.

We always encourage our customers to seek accurate information and reach out to us with any concerns. Your trust is invaluable to us, and we are here to provide any assurance you may need.

Thank you for very much for your continued support and confidence in Little Hay Co.

🌿 Healthy Herb Spotlight: Coriander & Parsley 🌿

Did you know that adding a sprinkle of coriander and parsley to your small pet’s diet can work wonders? Not only does adding herbs encourage natural foraging behaviours for your pets there are also a whole heap of health benefits 🌿✨

Here’s why these herbs are a must-have:

🌿 Coriander:

Rich in Vitamins: Packed with vitamins A, C, and K for a healthy immune system!

Antioxidant Power: Helps fight off harmful free radicals.

Digestive Aid: Promotes healthy digestion and helps prevents bloating.

🌿 Parsley:

Nutrient-Dense: Full of essential nutrients like vitamin K, C, and iron.

Breath Freshener: Naturally freshens your pet’s breath.

Detoxifying Agent: Supports kidney health and detoxification.

Coriander & parsley is available in our healthy herbal mix (along with dandelion leaves!) or we have pre mixed the forage into the hay for you in our botanical meadow bales!

Pure Timothy is landing soon! 🌱💚

We like to keep you all as informed as possible on stock updates as and when they happen so this is a very exciting update!

The cut of Pure Timothy that was made last week is in the barn being carefully bought down to the perfect moisture levels. We are currently predicting that this will be ready to send out to you on Thursday so we have opened up the website for 𝗣𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀.

Please note:

Please make sure all your contact details and shipping address information is correct. It will be difficult for us to make amendments after the order is placed due to increased order volume.

Anything ordered with your 𝗣𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 of Timothy will be held until the whole order is ready. If you need something sooner please order the Timothy separately.

We are currently 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 that the hay will be ready Thursday but this may be delayed if the crop isn’t dry enough.

We imagine we will be very busy packing orders on Thursday and Friday this week. If your query is ‘when’s my order coming’ please just give us an extra day before asking, the question will probably answer itself by then.

So long, Silky Soft 🌱😭

We don’t like to deliver bad news, especially so soon after welcoming the return of Cotswold Sweet. However we regret to inform you that our beloved Silky Soft is temporarily unavailable. 😔

Rest assured, we’re working tirelessly to restock and bring Silky Soft back to you as soon as we possibly can!

Silky Soft is the second cut made from our Meadow fields. We are currently predicting the first cut of Meadow to be made around the end of June-mid July and then Silky is the regrowth from this crop roughly 6-8 weeks later depending on how kind the weather is to us.

Realistically it’s best to be prepared for Silky to be back no sooner than this autumn now so plan a transition into a different hay type for your pets if this is usually their favourite!

Can anyone help Estuary Small Animal Rescue? 🫶

If you leave a note in the order checkout to let us know it’s going to them we will refund the shipping cost to help

Star, Storm, Rocket and Groot were just wondering, is there anyone kind enough to send them a box of the amazing Cotswold hay from Little Hay Co. Please?! (Storm was around my feet wanting treatos 🤫)

https://littlehayco.com/products/cotswold-sweet-hay-1?variant=43233907343590

🫶🏻

🫶

Jax thoroughly enjoying the Cotswold Sweet Hay that Little Hay Co. Kindly sent us😍

With a large chunk of the Cotswold Sweet boxes due to land with customers today we felt it was important to give everyone a reminder on the importance of a proper dietary transition.

The transition should take about a week. Some pets may need a longer period if they are particularly sensitive or picky.

Here is a step-by-step guide:

Days 1-2: Mix 25% of the new hay with 75% of the old hay.
Days 3-4: Mix 50% of the new hay with 50% of the old hay.
Days 5-6: Mix 75% of the new hay with 25% of the old hay.
Day 7 and beyond: Offer 100% of the new hay.

💩 If your pet shows signs of digestive upset, slow down the transition. Stay longer at each stage if necessary.

❌ Avoid sudden changes in other aspects of your rabbit’s diet during the transition period.

💧 Ensure your pet has access to fresh water at all times.

❤️‍🩹 Consult your veterinarian if issues persist or if your rabbit has special dietary needs.

Snuffle weekend offer!

Any snuffle ball or mat purchased from our website this weekend will automatically receive a free 200g pouch of forage to go into them! 🌸

Forage bags contain:

🌱 Grass pellets
🌺 Hibiscus flowers
🍌 Banana chips
🪵 Dandelion root (small bits)

We’ve got snuffle balls and snuffle mats made for us by another small business so you will be supporting two at once 🤗

Snuffle products are great for mental stimulation, enrichment and slow feeding. Also good for providing a bit of physical activity as your pets move around the mat to forage or follow the ball around.

No code needed, simply purchase the eligible item(s) between now and Sunday night to receive a free goody bag!

Piggy nom noms are back in stock! 🐹😋

These treats are packed with natural goodness; high in fibre, rich in nutrients and irresistible in flavour, we know your small furries will love them!

KEY BENEFITS:

😋 Super tasty treats.
🌱 100% natural ingredients.
🌾 High in fibre.
🫱 Perfect for hand feeding.
🧡 Vitamin C boost.
💙 Hand-baked in the UK.

Don’t be fooled by the name, these delicious treats are also perfectly suited to rabbits and other small pets too!

Everyone is appreciating the appearance of summer 🐞☀️

Wow! 4000 of you on instagram have come along with us for the Little Hay Co journey so far!

Very humbling for a little farm in Oxfordshire that wanted to lead the way in UK grown premium pet hay production.

Thank you all for being a part of our venture so far! We love seeing all of your posts and stories featuring our products so please keep them coming!

Stick around because we’ve got lots of exciting stuff coming soon 😍

What’s up doc? 🥕

Today is national Bugs Bunny day to commemorate the date that he first appeared on our screens 📺

However the stereotype that BB bought that rabbits live on carrots is something that the community has been trying to address ever since.

So how much carrot can a rabbit safely have?

Carrots are high in sugar so are more suited to being an occasional treat. A small to medium-sized rabbit can typically eat about 1-2 tablespoons of chopped carrots a couple of times a week, but it’s essential to balance their diet with hay, fresh greens, and a small amount of pellets for proper nutrition.

Always introduce new foods gradually and observe how your rabbit reacts to them.

We’ve only had one forage box so far ❤️

If anyone else would like to send us a hay or forage box from Little Hay Co. Via the rescue donation scheme we’d be most grateful 🙏🏼🤍

Please use the link below and make sure to pick our rescue name. Just choose us and Order then little hay co will do the rest!
We’d be so so thankful, Hay is so incredibly important and absolutely everyone here adores little hay co! 🙌🏼

https://littlehayco.com/products/copy-of-rescue-box-appeal-donate-an-item-help-a-furry-friend-in-need

🌸 Forage filled rattan balls! 🌼

These forage stuffed Rattan balls provide endless entertainment and mental stimulation for your furry companions. With ready-made convenience and natural materials, your pets will love to play and forage with these balls.

Just £3.50 for a pair!

Please note: Sold in pairs, a variety of colours and forage mixes.

🍪 DIY hay cookies 🍪

Do you fancy yourself as the next candidate for the Great British Bake-off? Have we got the thing for you!

We’ve included everything you need to make at least 2 batches for your bunnies or piggies 🐰🐹💕

All you need is to complete the mix is water, some kitchen utensils and a bit of baking flare! 🧑‍🍳

Make sure you tag us in your cookie creations, we love to see them!

Happy Earth Day! 🌎🌱💚

Farming doesn’t always get a good reputation when it comes to eco-friendliness. We follow a practice called regenerative farming... but what is that?

Regenerative farming is an approach to agriculture that aims to improve the health of the land, increase biodiversity and enhance ecosystems.

Key principles of regenerative farming include:

Soil Health: Regenerative farmers focus on building healthy soil through practices such as minimal soil disruption, cover cropping and crop rotation. Healthy soil is essential for plant growth, water retention, and carbon storage.

Biodiversity: Encouraging biodiversity is crucial for regenerative agriculture. This can involve planting a variety of crops, integrating livestock into cropping systems, maintaining hedgerows and buffer zones and preserving natural habitats on the farm.

Water Management: Regenerative farmers prioritise efficient water use and aim to reduce erosion and runoff. The use of ditches and ponds help to retain water in the soil and prevent nutrient runoff.

Carbon Sequestration: One of the goals of regenerative farming is to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in the soil. By not ploughing the soil so often it helps to keep the carbon contained in the land.

Overall, regenerative farming seeks to create farming systems that are not only productive but also sustainable, resilient and beneficial for the environment.

Did you know we sell more than just hay?

We have a whole range of treats and toys suitable for your small pets too.

Beautifully modelled by Ned is a selection of of the range - available under the ‘treats’ tab on our website

Gorgeous Ned from Pansyted.pigs says don’t forget code “PANSYTED” will save you 15% off your order!

New product - Paws & gnaws box! 🐹🐰

Packed with chewable enrichment items, hay and forage. Seagrass hearts and stars, vine twists and jute sticks which are all coloured with natural dyes. Suitable to use either as they are or use some twine* to make some diy enclosure decorations

*not included

Have you read about lovely Marley Higgles Piggles Rescue?
You can use our rescue box appeal to send hay or forage for Marley. Just choose your item from the appeal section and we cover the postage. We think Marley deserves the best forage and hay to help with his end of life care.