How often can piggles have fresh flowers?

[alpacasqueak]

I’m growing veg indoors again for the pigs this year (hopefully not too many seizures and I’ll remember to water and not kill them this year in the heat! ) and thought I’d grow some flowers too.
I’ve planted marigolds that are already sprouting and I’ve got cornflower seeds that I’ll be planting, Luigi and Aliona absolutely love them dried but yet to feed fresh, was just wondering how often others feed them? Guessing as a treat but thought I’d ask! Thanks

Please help us, we’re starved!

 

[ThatPurpleB]

I have no practical help but just wanted to say how cute they are!

 

[Sweet Potato]

I feed them dried forage flowers a small pinch every couple of days but I've never had fresh flowers for them

 

[alpacasqueak]

They said thanks @ThatPurpleB

Yes I do the same @Sweet Potato, they’re mad on their forage, Jasper and Cleo are finally coming round and liking a bit too! But they’ve only really had the odd fresh dandelion!

 

[David Piggie Lover]

Never given really flowers, , I tried rose petals once. No interest was shown

 

[piggieminder]

Mine don't eat them fresh, I have a large patch of marigolds in the garden but they sniff and walk away if I sprinkle petals on the hay. One or two of them eat the petals dried though. Funny animals, can't imagine what goes through their heads.

 

[alpacasqueak]

Never given really flowers, , I tried rose petals once. No interest was shown

Jasper and Cleo aren’t fans either (yet), Luigi and Aliona love them, why they’re called the porky pair these days! Will eat just about anything!

 

[alpacasqueak]

Mine don't eat them fresh, I have a large patch of marigolds in the garden but they sniff and walk away if I sprinkle petals on the hay. One or two of them eat the petals dried though. Funny animals, can't imagine what goes through their heads.

Haha aren’t they just I’ve got four pots of the things sprouting and I bet they’ll be the one thing the porkers decide they hate!

 

[Qualcast&Flymo]

Last year when I grew a patch of marigolds, i gave my 3 one or two fresh buds or flowers each as a treat with their grass. But i don't know if there is a 'max' amount of fresh or dried forage one should not exceed.

 

[alpacasqueak]

Thanks @Qualcast&Flymo, really helpful Didn’t know if they were particularly high in calcium or anything else naughty but I wasn’t planning on giving them a huge amount of course. They might despise them fresh anyway but I’ll just dry them out!

 

[Betsy]

@teddymouse may be able to help she is the Queen of the Forage.

 

[teddymouse]

I can only say what mine have,as piggies have different tastes, during summertime there are wild flowers they get in their fresh foraged greens ,l will dry some for winter treats,dandelion cornflowers carnations,rose petals, blackthorn flowers they like.

 

[Her Nibship]

Mine don't eat them fresh, I have a large patch of marigolds in the garden but they sniff and walk away if I sprinkle petals on the hay. One or two of them eat the petals dried though. Funny animals, can't imagine what goes through their heads.

Mine seem to have a general rule: "If piggy mum can grow it, we don't eat it." Admittedly, that doesn't limit their diet much!

 

[Free Ranger]

Marigolds I can't help with as I don't have enough sun to grow them!

One of mine used to eat violets - leaves more than flowers. None of the others did. I freaked out but having a shady garden they popped up everywhere and you couldn't stop her. I read the roots and seeds are supposed to be toxic but even for people the young leaves can be used in salads and the flowers are edible. The leaves are apparently high in vits A and C. Her breath was always lovely!

 

[G&C]

My boys past and present love marigold leaves! Once I sat with them on the bench with a marigold flower pot each side he climbed onto the ledge and dug in loved them, not so keen on the flowers. But a few leaves a day was appreciated.

 

[alpacasqueak]

Great, thanks so much everyone!
Hopefully one out of four piglets will enjoy them then and I won’t end up with a flat full! But it’ll look nice at least!