Kale

Beemz

Beemz

Junior Guinea Pig
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My four have a big handful of kale every day- is this ok?
I just wondered because I read about not giving too much from the brassica family- like cabbage, broccoli and kale is in that family! Worried I’ve been over doing it.
 
I think I’ve just read the answers I need from another post. I’m going to stick to fresh grass I think.
 
I do give kale but not everyday. I give romaine lettuce and herbs like cilantro, parsley, and basil everyday. I give my piggies veggies three times a day in moderate amounts.
Breakfast--romaine lettuce and 1-2 kinds of herbs like cilantro, parsley, basil and etc.
Lunch--in rotation, kale, cucumber, carrot, fruits and etc. Lunch menu is different everyday.
Dinner--romaine lettuce and 1-2 kinds of herbs. Same as breakfast.

My Finn and Lara definitely get at least a large cup of veggies per day. They get endless hay, and some pellets.
 
I give small amount of Oxbow pellets but I prefer they get fresh veggies over pellets. Since they have always had pellets, I continue to give Oxbow pellets in small amount. They seem to enjoy munching on it so I don't want to take that away from them.
 
Mine love kale. But as you’ve no doubt read it is high in calcium so increases risks of stones. I tend to give it as a treat.
 
A lot of people are a bit fearful of the brassica family due to them being labelled 'gassy' but as long as you're giving a good amount of hay within easy access (I cover the entire floor with it for example) and you don't have one prone to bloating, you shouldn't have an issue. My lot get something from the brassica family almost every day and in the 17 years I've had piggies, not one has had any gas issues due to it.
Kale on the other hand is a high calcium one with oxalic acid so that's definitely a once a week thing to avoid calcium sludge or build ups in the bladder.

Spring/collard greens are a really good staple, it's a very mild form of brassica with not too much calcium but a really good vitamin C content. Most piggies absolutely love it too!
 
Eriathwen said:
A lot of people are a bit fearful of the brassica family due to them being labelled 'gassy' but as long as you're giving a good amount of hay within easy access (I cover the entire floor with it for example) and you don't have one prone to bloating, you shouldn't have an issue. My lot get something from the brassica family almost every day and in the 17 years I've had piggies, not one has had any gas issues due to it.
Kale on the other hand is a high calcium one with oxalic acid so that's definitely a once a week thing to avoid calcium sludge or build ups in the bladder.

Spring/collard greens are a really good staple, it's a very mild form of brassica with not too much calcium but a really good vitamin C content. Most piggies absolutely love it too!
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Oh thanks for that- Spring greens, that’s great!
 
VickiA said:
Mine love kale. But as you’ve no doubt read it is high in calcium so increases risks of stones. I tend to give it as a treat.
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Do you think the calcium issue is only with full grown piggies or is it still too high for my young ones?
 
Eriathwen said:
A lot of people are a bit fearful of the brassica family due to them being labelled 'gassy' but as long as you're giving a good amount of hay within easy access (I cover the entire floor with it for example) and you don't have one prone to bloating, you shouldn't have an issue. My lot get something from the brassica family almost every day and in the 17 years I've had piggies, not one has had any gas issues due to it.
Kale on the other hand is a high calcium one with oxalic acid so that's definitely a once a week thing to avoid calcium sludge or build ups in the bladder.

Spring/collard greens are a really good staple, it's a very mild form of brassica with not too much calcium but a really good vitamin C content. Most piggies absolutely love it too!
Click to expand...

My two love spring greens but I only give them a small amount a couple of times a week. If it is ok to feed them a bit more often, then I’d love to do that - my two are getting fed up of some lettuces (round green lettuce in particular but they are happy with red leaf lettuces) but they love spring greens so would be more than happy with more of it on their menu
 
Sadly I can’t feed kale as my diabetic girl can’t eat it. But before she was diagnosed, I just fed it as a small treat
 
Piggies&buns said:
My two love spring greens but I only give them a small amount a couple of times a week. If it is ok to feed them a bit more often, then I’d love to do that - my two are getting fed up of some lettuces (round green lettuce in particular but they are happy with red leaf lettuces) but they love spring greens so would be more than happy with more of it on their menu
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If I remember right, the sample diet in one of the stickies has an inch thick strip of spring greens as suitable per pig per day :) it used to be something I did feed daily until I found rainbow chard which my lot much prefer to the spring greens so I alternate with that.
 
Eriathwen said:
If I remember right, the sample diet in one of the stickies has an inch thick strip of spring greens as suitable per pig per day :) it used to be something I did feed daily until I found rainbow chard which my lot much prefer to the spring greens so I alternate with that.
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Wow that’s a small amount- wonder how long the strip is meant to be. I’ve been out and got them grass, hawthorn (covered in berries) and some dandelion. I’m lucky as it’s all on my land so I know it’s safe.
 
Beemz said:
Wow that’s a small amount- wonder how long the strip is meant to be. I’ve been out and got them grass, hawthorn (covered in berries) and some dandelion. I’m lucky as it’s all on my land so I know it’s safe.
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The width of the leaf I think :) although I usually just divide one leaf between 4, however that works out, that way it's easier to divide between my lot without any left over!
Hawthorne is a firm favourite with my lot! I wish I had some nearby, I have to go on quite a trek lol we do have a hazel tree at the end of the garden though so I quite often give them some of that.
 
Eriathwen said:
The width of the leaf I think :) although I usually just divide one leaf between 4, however that works out, that way it's easier to divide between my lot without any left over!
Hawthorne is a firm favourite with my lot! I wish I had some nearby, I have to go on quite a trek lol we do have a hazel tree at the end of the garden though so I quite often give them some of that.
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Hadn’t thought about hazel. I’m in this lottery winning type place in my life. We were left a house with 16 acres, mostly woodland when my FIL died- kind of bitter sweet. I need to make some guinea pig friends here so they can come and forage if they wish.
 
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