[daveh]

Hi,

Ten days ago I acquired my first pigs, two OSB gilt weaners. They are being kept on a friends smallholding with three of their weaners who are Tamworth/Saddleback crosses. The friends also have three Pietrain/Saddleback crosses just coming up to pork weight.

Experiences so far:

Crikey, don't they grow quick! It seems like they are bigger every day.
Have acquired Finisher pellets (19% protein) direct from Heygates mill in Bugbrooke, Northampton at £6-40 per 20kg bag. Seems a good price.
After three days they would allow themselves to be touched without running away.
After seven days they will take a bit of carrot from my hand.

Question: Do pigs like swedes? Raw or cooked? Do they like maize? Raw or cooked. I have a large allotment so can grow plenty of these.

Regards,
Dave

[HappyHippy]

My pigs will eat just about any fruit or veg - they do prefer things like swede to be cooked first, though will eat them eventually if raw (just once all the nicer goodies are gone) You do have to remember that in order to not break the law, any foodstuffs being cooked cannot be done in your kitchen. I have a camping stove and an old pot in my garage purely for cooking veg.
Enjoy your pigs
Karen 

[Hilarysmum]

Maize is great crushed, otherwise passes straight through the pig.  Although it does add weight, great feed in winter.  For a treat we feed maise/sweet corn, on the cob.  They really enjoy them, but I am unsure if they get much food value from them.  Glad you are enjoying your OSBs.  Pigs are very addictive.