Pregnancy diet advice?

[Logiebear]

Not sure whether to put this in pregnancy or food but I would appreciate as much help asp possible so I put it here for visibility factor.

The 2 pregnant sows I have at the moment will not eat pellets at all. They occasionally eat porridge I put in for them but they just want fresh veg constantly, and I mean CONSTANTLY lol. They wheek even when I have just given them some and they have pellets etc in the cage!

Is this bad for them? Any advice on what I should be trying or shall I just make sure they are getting all the fresh veg they want?

Thanks in advance

Suzanne xx

 

[Wiebke]

Just make sure that they get a good selection of fresh veg (insuring that they get enough vit C that way). Not eating pellets is not a big a problem. On German forums, for instance, pellets are a big no no! rolleyes

I would not go hugely overboard with the amounts of veg you are giving - you do want to have goodsized babies, but not huge ones. Better give their veg in several, but small servings.

 

[Guinea-pigGaga]

The fact that the sows are refusing to eat pellets is not a huge concern, Suzanne. However, continue to offer them porridge, and I would also offer them a bran mash. However, a sow should not be allowed to become obese during pregnancy, due to the increase risks of complications during and post pregnancy. Therefore, the fact that the sows are refusing to eat calorific food is not a huge concern.

However, I would advise that you offer them generous amounts of Meadow and Timothy hay, as well as dried grass, e.g. Readigrass. Alfalfa and Botanical (e.g. Burgess Excel Herbage) hay can also be offered in moderation. In regards to vegetables, it is advisable to provide sows with generous helpings of green vegetables with a high vitamin C content. Raspberry leaves are also beneficial to a sow towards the end of her pregnancy.

A varied diet is advisable, and increasing portion sizes to allow sows more of a choice, I believe, is beneficial.