[Klb]

Hi,
I have started getting couple of piglets each year to raise on for table for myself, family & those who save up left overs. So far always been gos crosses.
Anyway I have a small piece if land I want to use as a pig veggy plot 5 meters by 30meters (ish). What would be best to grow?, i have heard pumpkins?.

[Fowgill Farm]

Pigs will eat most of the veg grown in a regular veg garden so don't just grow for them, grow some for yourself and give them the surplus, remember pigs can't just survive on veg they'll stiil need pig nuts/pellets too.
We grow specifcally for the pigs courgettes/marrows, sweetcorn, pumpkins, lettuce, beetroot, sugar beet/mangols.
They also get a far share of soft fruits, tomatoes, beans, cabbages, turnips, potatoes.
We put all our root veg, pumkins and courgettes/marrows thro a root shredder/chopper like this http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=root+chopper&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1024&bih=571&tbm=isch&prmd=imvnsfde&tbnid=aw4mKz8EMiBBAM:&imgrefurl=http://www.cheffins.co.uk/lot/-108421-vintage-0&docid=RFY_LGJczpnWvM&imgurl=http://www.cheffins.co.uk/assets/catalogues/lots/40/800.jpg&w=500&h=375&ei=MWlpUJOwEI2JhQf4s4HoBA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=219&sig=116861150323166008526&page=1&tbnh=109&tbnw=129&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0,i:74&tx=88&ty=80
 
It makes the veg go further and allows even distribution to the pigs
HTH
mandy   

[hughesy]

We've found it's good to grow something that you can cut and it'll regrow. Spinach is a favourite with ours. As Mandy says it's best to grow what you'll use yourself and give the pigs the surplus. Courgettes are good as they keep cropping all summer. Pigs will eat most things you can grow.

[Klb]

I already have a veg patch so I suppose I can just double everything up, though our lucky pigs also get plenty of apples,pears and plum from our fruit trees along side their pellets.
I will def try plants that regrow and will look into the shedder. Thanks.

[MAK]

We grow lots of squash/pumpkin for our 2 - we serve up a mixed veg and pig nut platter and after sifting out the nuts the pumkin is next to be eaten. If you have the space they are really worthwhile growing lots of. Maybe slot them in around a fence or hedge rather than give over a well worked bed. I just dig a hole and chuck in manure  a month before planting out. Before planting out we cut the pumpkin patch weeds and grass right back to the ground. Seems to work OK and they make an attractive sight as they are along the lane opposite our house and barns. they keep well too.

[Beewyched]

Hi,
I have started getting couple of piglets each year to raise on for table for myself, family & those who save up left overs. So far always been gos crosses.
Anyway I have a small piece if land I want to use as a pig veggy plot 5 meters by 30meters (ish). What would be best to grow?, i have heard pumpkins?.

Um    These left-overs - do you mean out from folks' kitchens - coz you know that's illegal in the UK 
 

[Klb]

Left over are veg peeling from family and two close friends, the meat is never sold, and for my use accept a couple of joints, i know plenty of ppl that do this, It's not like I'm getting left overs from a local pub covered in gravy. ..... Though might be worth a look, no I wouldn't really.
As these two are off next month, Once the veg plot up together, I wont be taking offering no more.

[lachlanandmarcus]

Still illegal............. :-(((( its up to you what you do, no probs at all,  but probably best not posting it on a public forum or at least do it with a caveat to say it isnt strictly allowed, as others may read the post and not realise the legals and get themselves into trouble.

[MAK]

We do exactlythe same as KIB - pigs have a great diet even though we have to give them some industrially produced nuts. I will be researching an alternative to these and if neccesary start to plant pulses/beans that have essentail amino acids and the right protein. There must be a better way than buying a sack of stuff that has unknown origins in a factory. 

[Beewyched]

Left over are veg peeling from family and two close friends, the meat is never sold, and for my use accept a couple of joints, i know plenty of ppl that do this, It's not like I'm getting left overs from a local pub covered in gravy. ..... Though might be worth a look, no I wouldn't really.
As these two are off next month, Once the veg plot up together, I wont be taking offering no more.

The only way veg peelings can legally be fed to pigs is if the veg is peeled before it gets into the kitchen.  I don't necessarily agree with there being so many regulations over feeding your own stock, kept for your own use - especially in the current economic climate, cost of feedstuffs etc & the policies on trying to reduce landfill ( a huge percentage of which is waste human foodstuff    ).  But I suppose the regulations are there to be obeyed & I certainly wouldn't like to be the next person responsible for another F&M outbreak after what I witnessed (& smelt ) the last time round 

[Berkshire Boy]

It doesn't make any difference who is eating the meat you can't feed peelings from your kitchen. If you want to keep pigs abide by the rules.

[MAK]

Ah but I have an outdoor kitchen - and I live in France. All veg and fruit is sorted outside so that the pigs never get so much as a sniff of meat - unless I give them a bacon sandwich. Just teasing 
I even cook up spuds etc on an open fire on a spent veg bed.

[Mrs Snoodles]

Our pig vet advised us to avoid turnips as it caused blistering in the mouth, raw potatoes fed are a bit of no no.  Kale is a great option because of the high iron content obv and any perpetual crop has got to be great.

[hughesy]

I've always thought it was just the foliage from turnips and parsnips that caused problems. I've often fed turnips with no problems.

[wendy Scu]

I've always thought it was just the foliage from turnips and parsnips that caused problems. I've often fed turnips with no problems.

now that is interesting as i have always heard and passed on that celery, parsnips and turnips cause blistering but have never seen it myself. so is it just the foliage that they can't have?