COVID-19 Veggies during Covid19

I've got stocked up with hay and pellets and bought some tinned carrots, peas and sweetcorn. Reckon in a crisis they could nibble on a few. Will follow advice here and plant some window boxes.
 
I will go out as usual foraging. Lots of dandelion plants out at the moment, grasses are starting to grow lush new growth too. Ted has lost his bottom incisors (don’t know how) and is struggling to eat hay atm despite all our attempts at hand feeding, but have three bags and half a bale.
Now is the time to start grown your own veggies! We have a propagator with herb seeds atm. We have winter grown let everyone in the greenhouse and flat leaved parsley too.
 
What's the best grass to grow for piggies?

Also can it replace there need for veggies?
 
Hi I have read this discussion and am writing to reassure you. I live in northern Italy where the situation is worse than in the rest of Europe but we have no problem buying food, even fresh vegetables. The only problem is that it takes a long time to go shopping because you have to keep a distance of 1 meter from one person and the other, so there is a lot of slowness.
 
Skullblits said:
What's the best grass to grow for piggies?

Also can it replace there need for veggies?
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Any grass will do.

Your piggies can live without veg or pellets for a while without taking any damage. They do the same when they are very ill and need syringe feeding for weeks on end. ;)
Here is our list of edible veg; anything from that will do that is in store until things normalise again.
Edible And Forbidden Veg And Fruit List With Vitamin C Grading

If you run out of hay, you can keep your piggies on pellets for a short while or just on veg. something should always be available to you and be dropped at your doorstep in case you need self-isolating.

Please keep in mind that keeping food shops open and supplied has priority in locked down areas. Look out for shopping/isolation support initiatives in your area in the coming weeks and days.

Please keep also in mind that not everybody will actually fall ill and that not everybody will be ill at the same time, so cooperation is the way forward.
It is the unchecked panic buying that is doing the damage right now. The more people panic buy, the worse things will get and the longer they will stay bad. Supporting and helping each other and sharing in your community is the best way forward.
 
Would veggie baby food work for anyone panicking the same as you would syringe a little when syringe feeding?
I've planted some coriander and cat grass seeds today (can piggies have cat grass?) as well as marigold and plantain seeds, have grass and dandilions growing in the garden anyway and will place a forage order on payday 😊
 
Emx93 said:
Would veggie baby food work for anyone panicking the same as you would syringe a little when syringe feeding?
I've planted some coriander and cat grass seeds today (can piggies have cat grass?) as well as marigold and plantain seeds, have grass and dandilions growing in the garden anyway and will place a forage order on payday 😊
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Baby food is largely processed so I wouldn't recommend it. I would think they would be better going without for a short time than to have processed veggies
 
Emx93 said:
That makes a lot of sense thankyou 😊
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On the plus side for me we haven't bothered with any gardening for months and I can see a lot of piggy friendly weeds around in containers etc. Have instructed hubby to leave them there so if I need them for the piggies we are sorted. He's also not allowed to cut the small patch of grass at the front either (the dog wees all over the back lawn)
 
Cat grass is fine, I have some pots of it in the greenhouse. My piggies prefer the grass from the lawn but they will eat the cat grass when the other isn't on offer, usually when it's pouring with rain and I refuse to pick it and have to dry it.
 
Just logged on, and have to say. Disappointed to see people saying they are bulk buying.
You bulk buy, simply means there are not supplies for anyone else. I can understand the concerns. However. Just shop as normal. If we all shop normally there will be supplies.

Hay is produced in the UK. Therefore I see no reason why you would bulk buy and simply causing stress and concern for others who turn up at pets at home for example too see empty shelves.
In respect of the other veggies.
I was just looking at the 'staple veggies' - Most have large UK suppliers. And I guess the bonus is. You can't really bulk buy. I mean you can. But. ....

CarrotsStapleUK Supply
Cauliflower LeavesStapleUK Supply
Celery (Stalks and Leaves)Staple
Collards (Greens)StapleUK Supply
Coriander (Cilantro)Staple
CressStapleUK Supply
CucumberStapleUK Supply
KaleStapleUK Supply
Lettuce (Red Leaf)Staple
Romaine / Gem LettuceStaple
Pak ChoiStaple
Peppers (Red, Yellow, Green)Staple
Rocket SaladStaple
Swiss ChardStaple
 
PigglePuggle said:
Look my window boxes are growing! That's grass, clover, coriander and parsley seeds, only planted them 9 days ago- I mixed some piggy poops in with the potting compost, that must be the magic ingredient :)
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I have 4 of these growing indoors, plus 4 outdoors that I grew last year that are starting to regrow for spring- in a real emergency that's veggies taken care of for a couple of weeks, if not they are treats for the playpen, last year I just put a whole window box at a time in the playpen for the piggies to help themselves, then put them back on the windowsill to regrow for 3 weeks!
 
I have a big bag of Oxbow hay that I bought recently, before the Corona virus happened. I still have a lot of it left. I purchased another decent sized bag yesterday just to have in an emergency for my three pigs. People are buying cat food, dog food and litter here quickly... which is why I bought another bag. If any of you have pets other than guinea pigs, I'd recommend you grab some food for them since they are going. Stores here are almost out of stock.

I'm also going to be growing my own veggies. We still have some veggies in stores, but I'd rather start growing my own now in case stores do start selling out I'd have my own as back up.

Be sure to wash your hands before and after handling any type of animal food! :tu:
 
piggles 7000 said:
Stickyweed is starting to grow. I think it contains a good amount of vitamin C.
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I went to my allotment a few days ago and picked some cleavers (stickyweed) and they are growing everywhere right now as weeds and although it was a first for my pigs they loved it (I only gave them a little to try, not overdoing a new food). That’s me sorted then hah!

I’m leaving the grass to grow in patches on the allotment so I can pick it if needed, herbs on the window sills.
 
They do love stickyweed dont they?! It grows so well but is only around for afew weeks so I make the most of it!
 
piggles 7000 said:
They do love stickyweed dont they?! It grows so well but is only around for afew weeks so I make the most of it!
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Oh I didn’t know that it’s only around for a while.. I am starting a medical herbalism course so suddenly I’m learning about all the herbs that I used to see as pesky weeds so now I put my foraging hat on and see food everywhere.

someone on the forum said that pigs can also eat bindweed? I’ve got plenty of that in a couple of months, can anyone verify/confirm this is safe to eat for them?
 
I'm about to plant some pots and window sill troughs for herbs and lettuces and grass. The pots have drainage. Do I still need to add some stones at the bottom before I fill with compost and plant seeds?
 
Black piggies said:
I'm about to plant some pots and window sill troughs for herbs and lettuces and grass. The pots have drainage. Do I still need to add some stones at the bottom before I fill with compost and plant seeds?
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no it’s fine without stones if there is drainage - just don’t overwater, only water when you feel the soil is dry with your fingers or herbs are flopping a bit
 
Elthysia said:
Oh I didn’t know that it’s only around for a while.. I am starting a medical herbalism course so suddenly I’m learning about all the herbs that I used to see as pesky weeds so now I put my foraging hat on and see food everywhere.

someone on the forum said that pigs can also eat bindweed? I’ve got plenty of that in a couple of months, can anyone verify/confirm this is safe to eat for them?
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I have a book called "Greenfoods for Rabbits and Cavies", and regarding bindweeds it says "although they cannot be termed as being deadly poisonous, I should not recommend them to be used as green food". Don't risk it!
 
Katherine said:
I have a book called "Greenfoods for Rabbits and Cavies", and regarding bindweeds it says "although they cannot be termed as being deadly poisonous, I should not recommend them to be used as green food". Don't risk it!
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good to know, thank you!
 
Katherine said:
I have a book called "Greenfoods for Rabbits and Cavies", and regarding bindweeds it says "although they cannot be termed as being deadly poisonous, I should not recommend them to be used as green food". Don't risk it!
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Just to add that bindweed is definitely in the "Dangerous Plants" section of the book.
 
Hi,

What a good idea, bathroom mats! Do you put newspaper underneath them? And how do you get all the loose hay off to wash, just hoover when pee dried?
 
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