fresh forage-does anyone know which are ok for piggies?

[biscandmatt]

i have ordered a selection of fresh forage from someone on the rabbit forum and wondered if anyone knew if the piggies can have all or any of the things in the mix?

it has:

Dandelion leaves (with some flowers and stems)
Sow thistle
Other various thistles
Tips of Teasal plants
Cranesbill (a wild geranium)
various grasses with and without seeds
tips of celery leaves gone feral (this is very popular)
strawberry leaves
small amounts plantain (we dont have much of that at present)
small amounts fresh white clover leaves (just a small amount so no worries)

You may also get a sprinkling of dead nettle (purple), rose petals, willow leaves

thanks :{

 

[mikulinek]

i have ordered a selection of fresh forage from someone on the rabbit forum and wondered if anyone knew if the piggies can have all or any of the things in the mix?

it has:

Dandelion leaves (with some flowers and stems)
Sow thistle
Other various thistles
Tips of Teasal plants
Cranesbill (a wild geranium)
various grasses with and without seeds
tips of celery leaves gone feral (this is very popular)
strawberry leaves
small amounts plantain (we dont have much of that at present)
small amounts fresh white clover leaves (just a small amount so no worries)

You may also get a sprinkling of dead nettle (purple), rose petals, willow leaves

thanks :{

Dandelion is ok in small amounts. It contains vitamin A which shouldn't be eaten in large quantities.
I have no idea about the rest. Generally speaking though, there is really no need to feed any of this to your piggies. They willget all the nutrition they need from hay and fresh grass. You can use dandelion, romain lettuce and cucumber/peppers as treats for positive reinforcement.

We used to feed all manner of veg trying to get the right balance. In the end, after observation, experience, lots of chats and conversations with owners and vets, I've come to believe that none of the vef we feed our piggies is really that important or healthy IMO.

Their wild ancestors and cousins eat very little in terms of variety (mostly grasses). Fresh grass contains good levels of vitamin C which is the key vitamin for piggies. Everytihng else they need is in good quality hay (meadow or timothy- timothy tastes better).

 

[fluff]

so someone is going out and picking this and then selling it?, i would much rather go and forage it myself.
i would imagine by the time it reaches you it will be well and truly wilted.

 

[biscandmatt]

Dandelion is ok in small amounts. It contains vitamin A which shouldn't be eaten in large quantities.
I have no idea about the rest. Generally speaking though, there is really no need to feed any of this to your piggies. They willget all the nutrition they need from hay and fresh grass. You can use dandelion, romain lettuce and cucumber/peppers as treats for positive reinforcement.

We used to feed all manner of veg trying to get the right balance. In the end, after observation, experience, lots of chats and conversations with owners and vets, I've come to believe that none of the vef we feed our piggies is really that important or healthy IMO.

Their wild ancestors and cousins eat very little in terms of variety (mostly grasses). Fresh grass contains good levels of vitamin C which is the key vitamin for piggies. Everytihng else they need is in good quality hay (meadow or timothy- timothy tastes better).

thanks. i agree with you regarding alot of the veggies actually. ches and maisie have leafy greens, eat mountains of hay, have grass when it's dry and some natural things like dandelion leaves. i want them to have some more natural things if possible aswell.

 

[biscandmatt]

so someone is going out and picking this and then selling it?, i would much rather go and forage it myself.
i would imagine by the time it reaches you it will be well and truly wilted.

yes, they pick it in the morning, send it that morning, and then it has reached people the next day. although we missed the parcel of ours today. mallethead

it doesn't tend to wilt, just go kind of crispy which the bunnies like. when they arrive, they can be taken out of the packet and left to dry.

i can't leave the house anyway so i'm glad she sells :red don't know of anywhere round here to forage anyway! :{

 

[fluff]

Thw whole list that you posted are fine to feed, of course every thing new to the diet feed in moderation, you can also feed hawthorn and if you have mile a minute vine feed that as well.

 

[biscandmatt]

Thw whole list that you posted are fine to feed, of course every thing new to the diet feed in moderation, you can also feed hawthorn and if you have mile a minute vine feed that as well.

thanks very much. i've only ordered a small amount, and probably won't feed them regularly, i just know they will start wheeking when they smell it so i'm glad i can give them a little bit.

 

[biscandmatt]

got the forage now. some of it has gone a bit soft but not too much.

the piggies started wheeking when they could smell it so they've had a little bit. they seem more impressed than the bunnies!

 

[Amysmom]

Tried our piggys with a strawberry leaf today and they LOVE them.

 

[biscandmatt]

Tried our piggys with a strawberry leaf today and they LOVE them.

i wish i could grow things for them. i never have any success with it at all. i thought my planted herbs were growing but turns out they were weeds! rolleyes

 

[Amysmom]

i wish i could grow things for them. i never have any success with it at all. i thought my planted herbs were growing but turns out they were weeds! rolleyes

I'm also growing parsley for them, I've done one pot from seeds and one from a small plant. I think herbs sometimes grow out of hand and you just have to start again. :p