Author Topic: Feeding pigs hay? Or sillage (Read 3972 times)

Azzdodd · « **on:** November 10, 2014, 05:01:22 pm »

I'm keen to offer my sows some grazing as such there pens are grazed down to nothing now an I'm keen to get them eating some silage I've tried hay & haylage no interest an ended up going to the sheep? Anyone feed there pigs silage? It will be as part of there usual diet

hughesy · « **Reply #1 on:** November 10, 2014, 05:20:28 pm »

I wouldn't bother. Even if they eat it they won't get much in the way of nutrition out of it.

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #2 on:** November 10, 2014, 05:28:46 pm »

I agree. Hay and silage are fine for ruminants. Pigs would probably eat it if they were desperate but they never should be.

verdifish · « **Reply #3 on:** November 10, 2014, 05:48:51 pm »

The only pigs that will get worthwhile energy from hay/haylage are kune kunes ! And boy do they love it !

Sbom · « **Reply #4 on:** November 10, 2014, 06:28:22 pm »

My pigs love to munch on hay

I chuck a wad in every couple of days

shotblastuk · « **Reply #5 on:** November 10, 2014, 06:35:53 pm »

How about feeding roots instead?

devonlady · « **Reply #6 on:** November 11, 2014, 08:55:10 am »

Quote from: verdifish on November 10, 2014, 05:48:51 pm

The only pigs that will get worthwhile energy from hay/haylage are kune kunes ! And boy do they love it !

My Kunes turn their noses up at hay, haylage or silage. They will, though eat their barley straw bedding also fodder beet, apples, carrots, squash as well as sow rolls. Also ( they are definitely not in the food chain) cake, biscuits and all things nice.

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #7 on:** November 11, 2014, 10:32:49 am »

My OSB loves to play with her straw and find any grain hidden away in it.

In the long wet winters, she will eat a little hay - less than a flap of a small bale each day, but she does seem to be grateful for it.

She isn't done finding and eating all the dock roots in her paddock yet

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #8 on:** November 11, 2014, 11:48:43 am »

Also ( they are definitely not in the food chain) cake, biscuits and all things nice.
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Please remember feeding pigs ANYTHING that has been in a kitchen, whether domestic or commercial, is banned. It's how the F&M outbreak of 2001 started, after all ...