Hay is a big thing in the chinchilla world so let's break it down. Each type of hay and cutting has different nutritional values.
Timothy hay has the lowest protein at about 8% but is pretty high in fiber. The cutting and growing season can greatly affect these levels though. Calcium is .43%, sugars/carbs 7-18%
Orchard mix hay is about 10-12% protein and also high in fiber. Calcium is .34%, sugars/carbs 7-18%
Alfalfa is a legume with 15-21% protein and is lower in fiber than the previous 2 types. Calcium is 1.38%, sugars/carbs 8-13%
1st cutting- more stalky, less nutrition value
2 cutting- more soft, sweet and better nutrition balance
3rd cutting-super soft, lower in fiber and higher in sugars
Ok so now that we have the values laid out let's actually talk chins. You always hear that chins can't have alfalfa after 6 months or unless they are pregnant... This is false. Alfalfa can be given at any age to any chin.
Rabbit and guinea pig breeders saw a higher risk of stones and sludge in their animals when feed a super high calcium diet. This means feeding an alfalfa based pellet, alfalfa hay unlimited and calcium rich veggies as well. So majorly unbalanced diet. Vets use this to say that all small animals need to cut back on calcium intake once growing is done.... Well unfortunately they didn't factor in different animals have very different dietary needs. Rabbits and guinea pigs do need veggies and chins do not. Rabbits and guinea pigs are from very green locations.... Chins are from a desert. So what may help a rabbit prevent a stone will not necessarily help a chin. There is not a single study on the affects of calcium and chins. Let me repeat that, there is no studies on the stress of calcium on chins.....
So let's move on to stones and chins. Stones in chins is very rare! It's not a common problem at all. Stones are most commonly caused in chins by genetics, pH issues in the bladder (often cause by an infection), or kidney/water intake issues. None of these things are dietary....
Breeders often feed various types of hay based on what fresh, quality and cost effective. So sometimes that orchard and sometimes that's alfalfa.
In short feed whatever hay is good in your area and don't worry about alfalfa.
PS: the first ingredient in most pellets is.... ALFALFA! Cause it's a great source of protein and calcium.
Low calcium is more likely to cause health issues (seizures, malo, ext), than high calcium
Timothy hay has the lowest protein at about 8% but is pretty high in fiber. The cutting and growing season can greatly affect these levels though. Calcium is .43%, sugars/carbs 7-18%
Orchard mix hay is about 10-12% protein and also high in fiber. Calcium is .34%, sugars/carbs 7-18%
Alfalfa is a legume with 15-21% protein and is lower in fiber than the previous 2 types. Calcium is 1.38%, sugars/carbs 8-13%
1st cutting- more stalky, less nutrition value
2 cutting- more soft, sweet and better nutrition balance
3rd cutting-super soft, lower in fiber and higher in sugars
Ok so now that we have the values laid out let's actually talk chins. You always hear that chins can't have alfalfa after 6 months or unless they are pregnant... This is false. Alfalfa can be given at any age to any chin.
Rabbit and guinea pig breeders saw a higher risk of stones and sludge in their animals when feed a super high calcium diet. This means feeding an alfalfa based pellet, alfalfa hay unlimited and calcium rich veggies as well. So majorly unbalanced diet. Vets use this to say that all small animals need to cut back on calcium intake once growing is done.... Well unfortunately they didn't factor in different animals have very different dietary needs. Rabbits and guinea pigs do need veggies and chins do not. Rabbits and guinea pigs are from very green locations.... Chins are from a desert. So what may help a rabbit prevent a stone will not necessarily help a chin. There is not a single study on the affects of calcium and chins. Let me repeat that, there is no studies on the stress of calcium on chins.....
So let's move on to stones and chins. Stones in chins is very rare! It's not a common problem at all. Stones are most commonly caused in chins by genetics, pH issues in the bladder (often cause by an infection), or kidney/water intake issues. None of these things are dietary....
Breeders often feed various types of hay based on what fresh, quality and cost effective. So sometimes that orchard and sometimes that's alfalfa.
In short feed whatever hay is good in your area and don't worry about alfalfa.
PS: the first ingredient in most pellets is.... ALFALFA! Cause it's a great source of protein and calcium.
Low calcium is more likely to cause health issues (seizures, malo, ext), than high calcium