Is snacking okay?

[Porky Pig]

Hi!

I've recently started to follow Laura's weekly menu and at the moment using Week one, i.e.:-

- 8 grams kale
- 8 grams parsley
- 8 grams round lettuce
- 8 grams pepper
- 8 grams tomato
- 8 grams cucumber
(NOTE: divided into two meals - breakfast & dinner)

sometimes, my piggy wheeks for food in the middle of the day (if I happen to be around) or at night, just before I go to bed.

Is it ok to give in to his requests for food apart from brekkie and dinner?

If so, is it ok to give bits of pepper? Bits of cucumber? OR pak choi, tatsoi, golden streaks, variety of mustard leaves --- all of which I am growing --- ?

And, if snacking is ok, how much? Would this upset the Calciumh balance which I've been trying to achieve using Laura's menus?

Thanks for reading this and for advice you might have.

Porky's fussy mum

 

[Wiebke]

I give freshly cut grass (if necessary stored in the fridge) during the day and a night night cucumber bit for each piggy.

It depends on how big treats you give; grass ans a tiny piece of cucumber won't count; if you give more regularly, you have to factor it in.

Be warned - once you give in, it's difficult to retract. And piggies ALWAYS want MORE MORE MORE!

 

[Porky Pig]

It depends on how big treats you give; grass ans a tiny piece of cucumber won't count; if you give more regularly, you have to factor it in.
Be warned - once you give in, it's difficult to retract. And piggies ALWAYS want MORE MORE MORE!

Oh my... I think the clever boy has trained me. His wheeking makes me upset - because he sounds like he's being starved or treated badly, so I give in. Ok, I'll be more firm!

Is it only grass and cucumber that don't count? What about the other stuff I mentioned which I'm growing (pak choi, tatsoi, golden streaks, variety of mustard leaves)? Not ok for snacking?

 

[Laura-CCC4]

As long as you only give small amounts, snacking is fine. It is best not to give in to Porky's demands too much though, as generally feeding too many greens can lead to upset tummies.

If you find you really can't ignore his protests (beware, he will persist at first!) then try offering him a few different types of hay. Oxbow hays are good to try - ones like Orchard Grass, Timothy or even the Botanical hay. Burgess sell Timothy hay mixed with a few different herbs, that tends to make a nice treat as well. The idea is to have a special hay reserved for "snack time" only; many pigs appreciate a new type of hay as much as some fresh veggies, and it won't throw your ratio out the window!

P.S. Will get round to your PMs in the morning, couldn't connect to internet yesterday so got lots to catch up on tonight and I'm pretty tired after a long day! Can focus more tomorrow - sorry for the delay.