Baby pigs won't eat veg?

[Effie&Winnie]

I have two baby pigs approx 6 weeks old (guessing), I have had them for almost a week now and tried different vegetables every day, however, they have hardly touched them at all. Effie has only sniffed and Winnie has had incredibly small nibbles but then that's it. I'm worried they will not be getting the Vitamin C they need. What can I do? I've heard about Vitamin C drops but am reluctant to resort to this at such an early stage. Thanks x

 

[Pigjes]

Do they have companion who eats veggies? If not, I have lured pigs into eating vegs standing in front of them and eating it, so they can smell it. Otherwise, you need to start syringing a daily doses of vitamin C in, dissolved in a bit of water. Do not put it in their bottle, as it can put them off drinking and this will lead to other issues, like bladder stones.

 

[Wiebke]

Your little babies have obviously never had veg in their life, and they don't have an older piggy to teach them.

Give them time. Do you have access to fresh grass dog can't pee on? That will make a good start, also any green veg like spinach, lettuce, dandelions or fresh herbs. if you can munch yourself on a bit of fresh parsley or coriander/cilantro; don't stoop over the cage like a predator, though, sit next to it and talk gently and encouragingly all the time.

Have they got unlimited hay and pellets, and water near their hidey? You can help making them feel safer by covering up parts of the cage with a towel or two.

 

[Stewybus]

They can be very picky sometimes but I've never known a piggie not eat fresh grass. Either put them in a run or cut some yourself with scissors. Don't use grass that's been cut with a mower or strimmer as this will be badly bruised & ferment in their stomach.

As mentioned above, keep trying them on most salad veg & greens. Mine like lettuce, peppers (though not all of them like green),kale & melon (inc. yellow skin) the most but all piggies are different & will develop their own likes. Sometimes something they don't like now could be liked if you try again in a few months. Mine wouldn't eat celery but now they eat every bit.

If you are worried about them not getting enough vitamins you could give them 0.5 ml of Abidec Multivitamin Drops (Orange box from Boots etc) twice a week (my vet recommended this) using a 1 ml syringe.

 

[Rodentopia]

I have found baby piggies can take some time to take to new foods if they aren't accustomed to them. My baby perus were very picky but now after 6 weeks (12 weeks old now) are trying lots of new things. What veggies have you tried?

 

[Effie&Winnie]

I have found baby piggies can take some time to take to new foods if they aren't accustomed to them. My baby perus were very picky but now after 6 weeks (12 weeks old now) are trying lots of new things. What veggies have you tried?

Thats good to know, so far I have tried them with cucumber, tomato, banana, carrots and cauliflower leaves. Today they ate the whole bowl of cucumber so things are looking up. Also a few nibbles of banana yesterday I have also been giving them fresh grass.