Author Topic: pasture mix (Read 2835 times)

thestephens · « **on:** April 13, 2011, 06:36:13 pm »

i have been given a bag of "pasture mix" from a lady with horses, can i give it to the pigs or should i not (says not suitable for sheep)

princesspiggy · « **Reply #1 on:** April 13, 2011, 07:24:45 pm »

i couldnt see why not, it prob has too much copper for sheep. but im sure theres a rule or reg somewhere thats says u cant...lol
horses are vegetarians so dont see how it would hurt.

Beewyched · « **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2011, 09:57:02 pm »

Will probably be ok (I guess you're not planning on replacing their main feed) - only give them a little at a time or they might get the squits

Stevie G · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2011, 12:29:13 pm »

A horses Vitamin and mineral requirements are different to that of a pig so I would be very cautious if you are considering doing this, as it is not always a wise thing to do.
A pig is an omnivore and a horse is a ruminant which also means that what one may be able to digest ie grass the other can not and vice versa.
It does as a general rule say on the bag, but I would maybe speak with the company who made this product, the supplier who supplies the product(or maybe a Vet?) just to be sure that you won't cause their species any problems by doing this.

shetlandpaul · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2011, 06:55:28 pm »

our pigs raided the horses feed store and eat a full bag of feed in one go. they were very unhappy pigs for the next day but they were fine. just bung a small bit in with there normal feed.

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #5 on:** April 17, 2011, 12:44:19 am »

I think that horse feed has very low levels of minerals and vitamins as horses need far less than ruminants, and you have to be careful to not let horses get at sheep or cattle feed or licks for that reason. Our feed supplier does one main pasture mix which is identical for sheep and cattle except the cattle one has added copper. And this merchant does not do a pig feed but said most people feed the sheep mix. Ipso facto, horse feed is unlikely to harm a pig. But absolutely, check with the supplier and feed small amounts at first.

thestephens · « **Reply #6 on:** April 17, 2011, 09:29:57 am »

thank you for the replies, mainly just a handful to be thrown in to our "grown up" pigs as we pass by with the sow and piglets food, helps the noise level of jealous pigs!