fresh grass how much and how often

[Briony_S]

I gave my piggies some grass today which I cut with some kitchen sissors and they loved it. Can it be fed daily or does it discorage them from eating the hay which is better for their teeth?

 

[sophiew (EAGPR)]

They love grass but in terms of nutritional contents, it's mainly water. Too much rich grass can cause bloat in some guineas (which is why grass-clippings from lawnmowers should never be fed, as it starts to ferment very quickly in their tummies).

I would happily feed some grass daily, they should still eat their hay but keep an eye on their intake

Sophie
x

 

[Briony_S]

ok thanks so is that about 15/20 strands a day does that sound reasonable? That is what I gave them today (they were quite long pieces maybe 4/5 inches long). I deparately need to cut my grass it's too wet though as have rubbish soil and won't dry out til summer!

 

[Laura-CCC4]

A handful per pig is fine each day. Nutritional content / importance of grass is debatable (a few people say grass is essential!) - but mine have had grass maybe once every year, if that, and they have been perfectly fine. Plenty of vegetable variety and their hay fulfills their grazing needs, if they get fed grass too then that is a bonus. Being put out on the grass is nice for them in other ways, as well as the grazing aspect, but it's not necessary.

Introduce them slowly - give just a little more each day until you reach the amount you want to feed. Bloat/diarrhea is common in piggies who have not been fed grass before (or in a while).

 

[Briony_S]

thanks

 

[alcesterpigs]

If you want to see a contented pig put it on the lawn, sit back and watch. I have never rationed how much grass my pigs eat. Sows tend to eat more than boars, who seem to lazy to pick it for themselves. If you pick the grass for them and put it directly in front of them....it's a boars life!

 

[pelicano]

A vet once told me that grass was pretty much essential and, I have to say, since I've fed grass almost daily, I've had healthier and longer living piggies. Obviously this isn't a scientific study, but I'm really pro-grass these days.