We are going to be getting 2 weaners in 6 weeks. They were born today. We have never had pigs before.
We want to feed them mainly on free food.
Looking on the internet grass, hay or silage seems to be a good option for part of their diet.
We have a lot of acorns and beechnuts.
We have an area of bracken that we want rooting up.
During mushroom season we will have the trimmings from ceps, chantrelle etc.
Also of course we have vegetable waste from the garden.
We're really interested in what experience anyone has of these food sources, what to beware of etc...
Free Pig Food
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- Barbara Good
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Free Pig Food
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- Bulworthyproject
- Barbara Good
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Re: Free Pig Food
I forgot to mention that we're growing jerusalem artichokes. We've read that these are good for pigs.
Any ideas of what else to grow?
Any ideas of what else to grow?
https://www.bulworthyproject.org.uk
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- doofaloofa
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Re: Free Pig Food
This season I am growing a lot of pig food
Spuds, obviously, all the tinies, and sarpo mira as it's so productive and blight resistant
Maro dried peas
Artichokes, and also pumpkins in the misc bed
Plenty of swedes as they are so easy to grow, nutricious and filling
In the root break I have fodder beeet and all the small carrots
But by far the best food, if you can get it is restaurant/hotel slops. Unfortunately it is 'illegal' to feed but if you can get this waste food it is excellent pig fattening, though you should boil it for 30 minuits to prevent paracites
Spuds, obviously, all the tinies, and sarpo mira as it's so productive and blight resistant
Maro dried peas
Artichokes, and also pumpkins in the misc bed
Plenty of swedes as they are so easy to grow, nutricious and filling
In the root break I have fodder beeet and all the small carrots
But by far the best food, if you can get it is restaurant/hotel slops. Unfortunately it is 'illegal' to feed but if you can get this waste food it is excellent pig fattening, though you should boil it for 30 minuits to prevent paracites
ina wrote: die dümmsten Bauern haben die dicksten Kartoffeln
Re: Free Pig Food
Your pigs are going to need around 16% protein in their diet which means you will have to beef up their feed with something. I don't know about the legality of fish or bone meal these days.Peas and beans are good. I found pigs did very well indeed on cooked potatoes and milk, I had plenty of goats milk at the time but powdered is fine. Bread and bakery is good if you can get a supply of out of date items from a local shop.
Pigs do a lot better if their food is boiled but if you cook it in your home kitchen you are breaking the law, legally you can't give them anything from your home kitchen.
I raised a couple of pigs almost entirely on bought food a couple of years back, after doing the maths I found I had just broken even on the retail cost of the meat.
Pigs do a lot better if their food is boiled but if you cook it in your home kitchen you are breaking the law, legally you can't give them anything from your home kitchen.
I raised a couple of pigs almost entirely on bought food a couple of years back, after doing the maths I found I had just broken even on the retail cost of the meat.
- doofaloofa
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Re: Free Pig Food
The law is a assfredc wrote: Pigs do a lot better if their food is boiled but if you cook it in your home kitchen you are breaking the law, legally you can't give them anything from your home kitchen.
http://thepigidea.org/
ina wrote: die dümmsten Bauern haben die dicksten Kartoffeln
- Bulworthyproject
- Barbara Good
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Re: Free Pig Food
Indeed the law is an ass.doofaloofa wrote:The law is a assfredc wrote: Pigs do a lot better if their food is boiled but if you cook it in your home kitchen you are breaking the law, legally you can't give them anything from your home kitchen.
http://thepigidea.org/
Great link
https://www.bulworthyproject.org.uk
Bulworthy Project is an experiment in low-impact living and working
Follow us on Twitter @bulworthy
Bulworthy Project is an experiment in low-impact living and working
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- doofaloofa
- A selfsufficientish Regular
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- Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2012 9:50 am
- Location: Wesht Cark, RoI
Re: Free Pig Food
jack50 wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITeuaqcpckc
ina wrote: die dümmsten Bauern haben die dicksten Kartoffeln