Is Parsley Suitable?

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Lucyspiggies12

Lucyspiggies12

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Is it ok to fee my pigs parsley? I have given them some very small amounts and they seem to really enjoy it but I just wanted to make sure if it was safe before I give them any more
 
Parsley is fine as an occasional treat; about a sprig every few days. If you wish to add herbs on a daily basis, coriander/cilantro is the herb to go for - one sprig daily is fine, as it is not quite as high in minerals and vitamin C.
Other green herbs you can feed every few days are: dill, mint, fennel, basil, celery leaves. Marjoram is fine in small quantities.
Meditarranean herbs that are high in essential oils should be avoided, like lavender, thyme, sage, rosemary etc.
 
I've just given my new girls a sprig of parsley each as a reward for being cuddled! Wiebke is totally right, just a small amount occasionally as a treat is fine, but it shouldn't be part of their main diet.
 
Lucyspiggies12 said:
Ok thank you for the advice! So maybe once a week? Or every two weeks? How long should I leave it between giving them some?
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I would leave 4-5 days in between parsley feeding

We normally feed Parsley twice a week, it is regarded as food of the gods in our house. Ours love Coriander too
 
Mine don't have parsley at all as it can trigger their IC but they have coriander daily.
 
I'm loving all these herby pigs! It never crossed my mind to give a few sprigs of parsley or coriander for a treat... Will definitely try it! Especially the coriander as I cook with it a lot :-)
 
Wiebke said:
Parsley is fine as an occasional treat; about a sprig every few days. If you wish to add herbs on a daily basis, coriander/cilantro is the herb to go for - one sprig daily is fine, as it is not quite as high in minerals and vitamin C.
Other green herbs you can feed every few days are: dill, mint, fennel, basil, celery leaves. Marjoram is fine in small quantities.
Meditarranean herbs that are high in essential oils should be avoided, like lavender, thyme, sage, rosemary etc.
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I have been giving mine thyme regularly as they love it, I read it was ok and thought the fibrous stalks would be good. Should I cut down? There is lots of conflicting info around but I do trust the forum. Typically, like us humans I suppose, my pigs favourites are things that aren't that good for them: thyme, carrot and spinach (their version of chocolate, beer and chips!). Everything in moderation...
 
piggyfan said:
I heard thyme is bad for them.
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It's crazy how much conflicting info there is, I've heard all herbs bar sage are ok, then the vet said all but chives. It was the same with peppers, apple and carrot. I suppose I take the view that as long as you give them nothing in huge quantities and avoid the proper poisonous things (mushrooms, rhubarb, potato etc) you'll be ok.
 
Daisy Lennon said:
It's crazy how much conflicting info there is, I've heard all herbs bar sage are ok, then the vet said all but chives. It was the same with peppers, apple and carrot. I suppose I take the view that as long as you give them nothing in huge quantities and avoid the proper poisonous things (mushrooms, rhubarb, potato etc) you'll be ok.
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Chives are from the onion family which is why they are not safe. I read recently beetroot leaves are dangerous. I have always given them!
 
all your piggies with their herbs makes me think of the film ratatouille, I can see them now when your not looking picking up the herbs sniffing them adding them to a bit of carrot and a sprinkle of grass and a dash of crushed pellets! are they secretly making soup in the kitchen at night while you sleep too?
 
TBones said:
all your piggies with their herbs makes me think of the film ratatouille, I can see them now when your not looking picking up the herbs sniffing them adding them to a bit of carrot and a sprinkle of grass and a dash of crushed pellets! are they secretly making soup in the kitchen at night while you sleep too?
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Haha! Spot on! Hurricane in particular... he's so fussy he won't eat the middle of cucumbers or the skins of carrots or the stalks of coriander. Spoilt!
 
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