The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: waterboy on June 15, 2011, 04:52:38 pm

Title: Pigs and nettles
Post by: waterboy on June 15, 2011, 04:52:38 pm
Hi all,

 This may be a stupid question and i know pigs have thick skins but can they be stung by nettles? I noticed that Manda (the sow not the wife) had what looked like a rash or lots of small spots on her belly but as i started to panic i had a thought, 10 days ago i opened up a separate section of rough ground attached to her pen that had weeds and nettles so thick that you'd need a machete to get through! Now of course its been reduced to the few sour tasting weeds that the pigs always leave till last, i was wondering if this rash could be caused by the nettles and thistles.
The other 2 pigs are much darker in colour and i couldn't see much in the way of spots or a rash on them.

Thanks Rob
Title: Re: Pigs and nettles
Post by: SallyintNorth on June 15, 2011, 04:54:28 pm
Not stupid at all, yes they can be stung by nettles, especially when they are wee.  Have a look for other posts - it has been discussed before.
Title: Re: Pigs and nettles
Post by: Hilarysmum on June 18, 2011, 08:08:39 am
If its a severe rash apply a good rubbing of E45 cream (my all time favourite and it works) or you could always apply liberal tummy rubs with dock leaves.
Title: Re: Pigs and nettles
Post by: cuckoo on June 19, 2011, 11:34:24 pm
Hi,

Our pigs love to eat nettles! We have lots on our holding and every so often "tidy" them upby pulling them out and feeding them to the pigs.

Title: Re: Pigs and nettles
Post by: Sylvia on June 20, 2011, 09:00:53 am
I pull up nettles and hang them upside down in an airy shed to dry. All my animals and the poultry enjoy them crumbled up in their feed during the winter.