Strawberry leaves.

[poopie]

I notice when my pigs eat strawberry leaves which I know are safe, that their urine colour changes to deep orange. I am unsure if this means anything, and if the level of calcium in the leaves is safe or high? They also get grass and dandelions but no change in urine colour with them.

 

[Roselina]

Hello I’ve not looked for that when my piggies have strawberry leaves but I’ll look now
As you say they are a safe food for them
I wonder if it’s like us eating beetroot ( pink wee) and asparagus ( dark wee)
I’m sure someone with this knowledge will be along to clarify this

 

[VickiA]

Sorry I’ve not experienced this as I don’t feed strawberry leaves

 

[piggieminder]

I've not noticed this but mine only get one leaf each and not very often (prob. less than once a week) when they are in season in the garden. I don't think they are a food that should be fed a lot.

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

Most of my guineas turned their sweet little noses up at strawberry leaves. If you try such a leaf yourself, you'll find out why!

I note on Googling that they are an astringent.

 

[Merab]

As we don’t grow strawberries mine have only occasionally had the top of a strawberry if we’re having some.
We did grow raspberries and Tayberries so the piggies were given a leaf once in a while.
Some liked the leaves, others thought I was trying to poison them!