[Berkshire Boy]

I think you're missing the point Anke, feeding fish to pigs is illegal end of story.

[princesspiggy]

just wondering... is cod liver oil ever fed to pigs as it is to ponies?

[janeislay]

just wondering... is cod liver oil ever fed to pigs as it is to ponies?

It would certainly be extremely beneficial to them, wouldn't it !  Good omega 3.

So how do pigs get their essential amino acids if they can't be fed any animal protein ?  Eating just carbohydrates must be as bad for pigs as it is for humans ?   And of course we are not just what we eat, but what we've fed what we eat 

[robert waddell]

anke in reply to your post         what i wrote is fact repulsive that is your view it does happen
the feed /swill is contaminated with FM before it goes to the swill                         the government ministers and there advisor's are the ones that allow the changes to legislation that allowed the meat and bone meal industry to change from a BATCH process to a CONTINIOUS FLOW system prior to BSE affecting Britain also a contributing factor was the compulsory eradication of warble fly for two years at the lobbying of the hide industry
now i don't care what you or anybody else thinks or otherwise       BUT IF CATTLE ARE TREATED WITH ORGANOPHOSPHATES THEY DIE ARE RENDERED THEN INCLUDED IN CATTLE AND OTHER ANIMAL FEEDS IT WILL AFFECT THE NERVOUS SYSTEM  OF THOSE BEING FEED WITH THIS GOVERMENT APPROVED FEED
now with the last outbreak of foot and mouth  it was in the country for months before the actual outbreak it was convenient for all concerned to hang it on the door of hendon on the wall
which brings us back to the present legislation that we all have to comply with   so all that i have written is relevent to the original post
now back to the repulsive bit dogs eat other animal crap    pigs eat other animal crap      and in times gone past pigs were the compost converters into protein that we could eat

[Tiva Diva]

"So how do pigs get their essential amino acids if they can't be fed any animal protein ?  Eating just carbohydrates must be as bad for pigs as it is for humans ?   And of course we are not just what we eat, but what we've fed what we eat  "

Quite right Jane! Commercially manufactured pig feed has essential amino acids added. Most of the protein in pig feed is from soya. You can feed pigs milk, which will give them extra protein their essential amino acids, although you have to register with DEFRA if you want to do that. Outdoor living pigs will also pick up extra protein from all the worms, grubs, insects etc. they eat.

[oaklandspigs]

"So how do pigs get their essential amino acids if they can't be fed any animal protein ?  Eating just carbohydrates must be as bad for pigs as it is for humans ?   And of course we are not just what we eat, but what we've fed what we eat  "

Quite right Jane! Commercially manufactured pig feed has essential amino acids added. Most of the protein in pig feed is from soya.

Spot on

There are 20 amino acids that pigs need to make pig protein that makes pig muscle, and hense pig meat!

Of these 20, the pig can make 11, which leaves 9 needed in the feed (essential amino acids)

In British feeds, we know which ones are likely to run out from each source feed (eg soya, wheat), and the order they’re likely to run out in.

The first one to run out is Lysine, which is why most feed has it added.

Next, Threonine, and most feed has pure threonine added

Next Methionine, then tryptophan, then valine, then isoleucine.  The other three aren’t likely to run out.

In the wild these amino acids would be derived from meat - mostly "dead stuff" that pigs find, but some from worms, and grubs.

[ambriel]

The amino acid stuff is interesting. I must remember to have a good read of the label on the feed bags tomorrow.

Going a fair way off-topic, it is possible to feed a dog an entirely vegetarian diet but you can't do the same for a cat unless you also feed supplements as there's essential amino acids they can otherwise only get from meat.

Amazing the facts you pick up after four decades on the planet

Oh and yes, the pork would have a fishy taint. Got this first hand from a crofter who did likewise many years ago.