Author Topic: Pigs - elder and nettles (Read 2891 times)

HenryVigne · « **on:** March 16, 2015, 06:39:26 pm »

Hi all

I'm new to the forum and about to embark on pig keeping, 3 GOSxDuroc x Berkshire wearers coming soon. My question is this, in our 3 acre woods where I will keep our pigs we have lots of nettles and elder not ground elder, but elder bushes that continually shoot up all spring and summer despite my best efforts to cut them back. Will the pigs eat them? I have read that they will probably eat the nettles and their roots, but does anyone have experience of pigs and elder?
Many thanks, Henry.

clydesdaleclopper · « **Reply #1 on:** March 16, 2015, 08:19:34 pm »

No idea about your question I'm afraid but wanted to say hi from down the road

Mynnyd_Mawr_Herd · « **Reply #2 on:** March 16, 2015, 10:42:47 pm »

Pigs will go for the nettles, but weaners may be deterred, you could strike them with a stick to wilt them, they should then go in and remove the roots and all! With the elder, the will clear it, but as they are weaners they may have to grow a little first, we have sold pigs in the past to a couple who used them to clear Japanese Knotweed, never came back and no chemicals!

HenryVigne · « **Reply #3 on:** March 17, 2015, 12:01:24 am »

Thanks so much for the advice, they will be 16 weeks old when they arrive in early April, so hopefully by June they will be well up for the job! It would be great to see the elder in the wood reduce, will try bashing the nettles for them too.

GSH · « **Reply #4 on:** March 17, 2015, 09:49:41 am »

Yep, mine cleared a hug area of nettles, must have cast iron tongues !!

Mynnyd_Mawr_Herd · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2015, 08:45:55 pm »

Excellent, I have just used a thick cane to beat them before, worked a treat to encourage the young stock , lot of goodness in nettles, Shame to waste them!