Author Topic: Feeding pigs seaweed (Read 2249 times)

Jonah by nature · « **on:** January 03, 2020, 07:16:31 pm »

Hi, just read a few interesting articles regarding the benefits of feeding small amounts of seaweed to pigs in particular improving gut health and helping with the effects of scouring in weaners. Has anyone tried this ? Living on the coast it’s tempting to investigate this.

Jonah by nature · « **Reply #1 on:** January 05, 2020, 05:40:29 pm »

Further to my last post and reading up on research on the subject it would appear that feeding them seaweed as about 2% of their diet would be of benefit, if nothing else it’ll give them some essential minerals and reduce the amount of harmful bacteria in the gut. Off to pick some dulse tomorrow... ( it will of course be washed to remove as much salt as possible).

pharnorth · « **Reply #2 on:** January 05, 2020, 07:38:31 pm »

I have no wisdom to offer to this but the idea of pigs grazing the beaches like the North Ronaldsay sheep would be worth seeing. Sandcastle competition perhaps?

harmony · « **Reply #3 on:** January 05, 2020, 08:58:58 pm »

I have fed dried seaweed supplement. Recently I saw pictures of pigs on a beach in Thailand. Not sure if they eat seaweed. Can't see a problem.

Jonah by nature · « **Reply #4 on:** January 05, 2020, 09:02:40 pm »

Quote from: pharnorth on January 05, 2020, 07:38:31 pm

I have no wisdom to offer to this but the idea of pigs grazing the beaches like the North Ronaldsay sheep would be worth seeing. Sandcastle competition perhaps?

We’re not right on the beach but if I had a pig walking licence they’d happily follow the bucket and me. Might get a few looks from the locals who already think I’m mad as a box of frogs

Jonah by nature · « **Reply #5 on:** January 05, 2020, 09:08:00 pm »

Buggers escaped the other day.. not good news since I’d just got out of hospital two days before (my fault didn’t lock the gate properly) saw them as a spot in the distance two fields away! They came when called and followed me and my trusty feed bucket all the way home bless them.

pharnorth · « **Reply #6 on:** January 07, 2020, 07:20:31 pm »

It is good to be loved. If only for the bucket of feed in your hand.

Jonah by nature · « **Reply #7 on:** January 07, 2020, 08:40:13 pm »

Quote from: pharnorth on January 07, 2020, 07:20:31 pm

It is good to be loved. If only for the bucket of feed in your hand.

Sometimes, just sometimes , you can be loved too much!. Boris, my young boar who loves a good tummy rub decided to “flump” at my feet during this yesterday pinning me between him and a concrete sandbag wall . Gentle words were needed ... like get off my bloody feet ! Or similar were used

but I expect some of us have been there at some time to experience this?

Jonah by nature · « **Reply #8 on:** January 20, 2020, 06:14:18 pm »

Oh well it was worth a try. As my wife said you can take pigs to the seaweed or visa versa but you can’t make em eat it. Freshly picked seaweed was thoroughly washed and presented before their breakfast. To say it was treated with contempt is an understatement :roflanim Tossed and trodden in the mud it was!
Brings back memories of trying to get the kids to eat spinach and telling them it was good for them.... used to find spinach loaded tissues in their pockets when doing the washing. Ungrateful beggars!