The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: nancyscho on November 17, 2009, 09:02:21 am

Title: Beet for pigs
Post by: nancyscho on November 17, 2009, 09:02:21 am

Has anyone had any experience of feeding fresh beet to pigs,could they handle them whole or would they first have to be crushed. I have seen  one of our weaners putting his front hoof on a large carrot to stablise it before he took a bite. Unfortunately the old cast iron beet crusher that was once used here was thrown out years ago.

Title: Re: Beet for pigs
Post by: sausagesandcash on November 17, 2009, 12:46:03 pm

Palatability, appears to be the major problem with beet. Mine absolutely hate it, and I know i'm not alone in this.

Regards,

Morgan

Title: Re: Beet for pigs
Post by: supplies for smallholders on November 17, 2009, 10:55:33 pm

Hi,

We have fed beet (Sugar Beet & Fodder Beet) to our Saddlebacks and British Lops - fed them whole, the pigs liked to bite lumps off.

Used as a supplement to their noemal diet.

Thanks

SfS
www.suppliesforsmallholders.co.uk

Title: Re: Beet for pigs
Post by: daniellestocks on November 18, 2009, 09:22:59 am

I know someone who feeds his pigs sugar beet whole, i was going to do the same but theres not much about round here now the beet factory closed down  :(
I think he gives them it 2 weeks before kill to flavour the meat?

Title: Re: Beet for pigs
Post by: Sylvia on November 18, 2009, 11:59:47 am

Mine loved beetroot during late summer but I haven't tried them on any other.(my sheep tucked into them too!)

Title: Re: Beet for pigs
Post by: Hilarysmum on November 18, 2009, 06:39:00 pm

Friends grow them for us, most of the pigs adore them.  Hilary throws them!!!!!!

Title: Re: Beet for pigs
Post by: nancyscho on November 20, 2009, 01:22:47 pm

Hilary is THE STAR !!!!

Title: Re: Beet for pigs
Post by: BadgerFace on November 20, 2009, 02:02:39 pm

Mine won't eat beet, fresh or pellets  ::). But they do love the turnips, that I grow for them  :pig:

Title: Re: Beet for pigs
Post by: nancyscho on November 20, 2009, 03:04:49 pm

Our pigs are crazy about sloes, it's fun to hear them crunching on the stones, hope they don't get belly ache. I've missed out this year on the gin.
I'm going to beg a bucketful of beet from one of our neighbours to give them a taster.

Title: Re: Beet for pigs
Post by: Hilarysmum on November 20, 2009, 06:11:31 pm

Quote from: nancyscho on November 20, 2009, 01:22:47 pm

Hilary is THE STAR !!!!

I'll pass that on she will love you.