What is the Optimal Diet for Kunekune Pigs?
- · Fresh produce is given as available
- · Fruits are limited
- · Eggs are an occasional treat
- · Alfalfa cubes, alfalfa hay, alfalfa pellets are used when pasture is scarce
- · All pigs get high-quality horse hay as bedding
- · Beet pulp is great as a filler, to add bulk and fiber to the diet of a pig who you want to lose weight without...
Full Answer
What do kunekune pigs eat?
With that being said, your pig’s core diet for your Kunekune pig should consist of a completely balanced feed, high-quality hay, pasture/produce/alfalfa pellets or cubes, fodder, etc. A good combination for Kunekune pigs is Nutrena Country Feeds 16% grower pellet along with a local mash with added vitamins, minerals, and increased lysine.
What do you feed your Kune Kune's?
Celery ends, potatoes peels, cucumbers, and bad lettuce are all vegetables we have fed our Kune Kunes and they really pig out. Feel free to feed them any and all vegetables because they will love it. One time one of our Kune Kunes got in our garden and ate a bunch our winter squash and pumpkins.
What is the best grain for a Kunekune?
They need very little in the weigh of supplemental grain. What is important is to remember that KuneKunes are a slower to mature breed that do best with 16% and under protein levels in their grain/feed. They also enjoy alfalfa hay but, you must be very careful as this is quite fattening.
Are kunekunes picky eaters?
I have raised KuneKunes for years and one of the best parts about raising them is they are not picky eaters. If you have ever heard the phrase “slop the hogs” its because pigs love eating leftovers and food scraps. There are only a few things that I will never feed my KuneKunes and things I have noticed that they don’t like.
What do you feed Kunekune pigs?
Kunes thrive on a diet of grass, fresh fruit and vegetables. They differ from commercial pigs in that they do not need high levels of protein. Kunes need a maximum of 16% protein, and by preference a little less. They also need much more fibre than commercial pigs.
What can you not feed a Kunekune pig?
Salt can be toxic to pigs since they do not have sweat glands. Most plants in your garden can be fed except unripened tomatoes, raw potatoes, raw sweet potatoes (sweet potatoes are fine but they absorb more protein when cooked), parsnips, celery, celery root, parsley, onions, avocado pits,, and rhubarb.
How much feed should a Kunekune pig eat?
How much feed does a Kunekune pig need? Kunekunes should be provided with approximately 1-2% of their body weight in pelleted feed alongside free access to grass or hay. The feed should be split into two feeds a day and could be provided in a trough or scattered in their paddock.
What kind of hay do Kunekune pigs eat?
Alfalfa cubes, alfalfa hay, alfalfa pellets are used when pasture is scarce. All pigs get high quality horse hay as bedding. Beet pulp is great as a filler, to add bulk and fiber to the diet of a pig who you want to lose weight without feeling hungry.
Can KuneKune pigs eat raw potatoes?
Pigs can eat potatoes and can use it as a good source of energy. However, potatoes fed to pigs would either have to be cooked or dried. Otherwise, it can potentially cause some stomach issues.
Can KuneKune pigs eat bananas?
KuneKune pigs will eat all kinds of fruit including strawberries, banana peels, apples and peels, oranges, berries, apricots, peaches, and pears. Fruit should not make up the majority of their diet but should also include grains and grasses.
Can KuneKune pigs eat sweet feed?
We feed pellets twice a day. I usually mix some soaked beet pulp with some sow/pig pellets and a little scratch and sweet feed. They love it.
How much hay does a KuneKune need?
Kunekunes require 1/7 to 1/4 the amount of grain of standard pigs, but they do still need some grain in combination with their grazing to make sure their diet is complete. This is especially true of young (birth through one year), pregnant, and lactating pigs.
Are alfalfa pellets good for pigs?
Alfalfa also contains tannins and sapponins— anti-nutritional factors that reduce the growth rate of pigs. Alfalfa can be a valuable feed for dry sows, but less so for younger pigs. Sows have a greater capacity for fermentation in the hindgut that allows for greater fiber digestion and improved energy utilization.
Do Kunekune pigs eat alfalfa?
They graze on grass and, providing you have enough of it, don't really need anything else in the summer. They can eat hay in winter; however, we have found that our pigs like alfalfa pellets mixed in with their food in a “mush” consistency during the winter when grass is dormant.
Can Kunekune pigs eat timothy hay?
2:287:13Getting our Kunekune to eat hay. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSeems to be really good for them they do great on it they seem to get all the nutrients that theyMoreSeems to be really good for them they do great on it they seem to get all the nutrients that they need out of out of it since they are you know a true pasture pig.
Can Kunekune pigs eat oats?
Oats have their highest replacement value when fed at low levels in the diet. Heavy oats of good quality can be used in the diet at higher levels than light oats.
What should a pig not eat?
It's ok to feed pigs uncontaminated fruits, vegetables, bread, grains, dairy, eggs, and vegetable oils. Do not feed pigs meat, fish, or their bones, oils, or juices, or ANY food that has touched these substances. All food scraps can be composted.
Can pigs eat bananas?
Bananas can be fed to pigs either fresh, ensiled (Le Dividich et al., 1976a; Le Dividich et al., 1976b), or in the form of a dry meal, even though the latter is extremely difficult to achieve. Ripe bananas are very palatable and their degree of ripeness affects performance.
Can Kunekune pigs have plums?
You can also supplement with fruit & vegetable scraps from cutoffs, peels, or leftovers from dinner. Sometimes a local grocer will let you have “uglies” for free that they are going to throw out. If there are any fruits with a pit (like a peach, plum, etc) be sure to take it out, because they could get a blockage.
Can pigs eat grapes?
Yes, pigs can eat grapes. But make sure to feed the grapes or grapes juice concentrate in low amounts to balance the sugar contents in the pig's body. Feeding the high sugary food items to pigs can lead to many heart problems and sometimes conditions can become fatal and may cause the death of animals.
How to help a pig with fat blindness?
If your pig is getting fat blindness, make sure you are feeding a quality feed. Do not feed kunekune's "All Stock" or any type of feed that is for other animals. Our veterinarian said the #1 reason she see's health issues in livestock is from "All Stock" feed. Then if you are feeding a good quality grain, cut back on treats and fruit. Still feed veggies and they can get hay and graze. If you are still having issues, take your pig to a veterinarian to make sure nothing else is going on.
When do piglets start eating?
Piglets start eating grain as early as 1 week old, they follow their mom out and will mouth the grain. By 3 to 4 weeks old they are fighting their mom for food. When they are weaned at 8 weeks they are getting 1/2 cup twice a day and fresh fruit and veggies. These are rough estimates for growing piglets. All piglets will grow at different rates and food needs to be adjusted accordingly.
Can kunekunes fatten?
Kunekunes can fatten on pasture grazing alone. If you do supplement with grain make sure it is 16% or lower in protein. I used the feed store's brand "Bryant" 14% Hog Finisher twice a day. I have recently switched to Purina's Pig & Sow from Tractor Supply. It is a 16% feed and I've noticed it helps reduce the tear discharge from their eyes. Depending on the size of the pig and how much pasture they are getting I adjust the amount.
What do kunekunes need?
This ensures your pigs are getting all the essential vitamins and minerals. Kunekunes are a grass foraging pig ...
What are the feeding rules for a Kunekune pig?
But first, some feeding rules to live by…. 1. Kunekune pigs are not ruminants but omnivores. 2. Your growing pig needs more food and nutrition than adult Kunes. 3. Your growing pig’s body condition in its first year of life should be round but not too chubby. 4.
What do kunekune pigs eat?
Kunekune pigs do very well on a diet of grass, fresh fruit, and vegetables. They are different from commercial pigs in that they do not need high levels of protein. Kunes need around 16% protein, and in comparison, it is quite less. The fiber requirement is also much more than commercial pigs. Kunekune pigs do well on grass ...
How much should a 4 month old pig eat?
Youngsters up to 4 months old get should be fed up to a 12-ounce scoop of food per day. Observe your pig from starting point and adjust the diet as per their growth. A 4-8-month-old Kunes might eat 1.5-2 scoops. I’d say that adults eat around 1-1.5 scoops per day when in optimal condition.
How much water should a pig drink a day?
Pigs must be fed twice a day when needing to be supplemented, and have easy access to clean drinking water. Adult sows can drink up to 5-litres of water a day during lactation, predominantly during hot weather.
Is a Kunekune pig overweight?
They are not overweight, nor are they structurally strained. Kunekune pigs vary in size and growth rates and there are no guarantees that a piglet out of fast-growing parents will also have fast growth. But there’s an increased likelihood, especially if properly and amply fed.
Does cheese cause diarrhea?
Cheese is also a superb supplement, but like milk can cause diarrhea because of greater fat content. The key commercial pellet feed varies from 12 to 17% protein, but not all comprise the essential vitamins and amino acids of a nutritionally complete food.
What can Kunekunes eat?
KuneKunes can eat all vegetables including, celery, potatoes, tomatoes, and lettuce.
Why do pigs slop the hogs?
If you have ever heard the phrase “slop the hogs” its because pigs love eating leftovers and food scraps. There are only a few things that I will never feed my KuneKunes and things I have noticed that they don’t like. So lets discuss what KuneKunes can and should not eat. Kune Kunes are omnivores meaning like people their diet can consist ...
Can Kune eat bread?
Kune Kunes can eat all bread products and other grains. Bread has great nutrition for Kune Kunes. Instead of throwing out moldy bread or bread scraps feed them to your Kune Kunes. As much as I hate throwing out bread it is good to know that our Kune Kunes will thoroughly enjoy it.
Do kune pigs eat grass?
The best part is since they have upturned noses they won’t root up your lawn or pasture. A majority of KuneKunes diet is made up of grass and fresh greens.
What do sheep eat?
There are a variety of feeding systems or styles, none “better” than the other, but merely a matter of personal preference on the part of the breeder. Various feeding systems, in no particular order: 1 One farmer provides pasture and/or hay daily, and also feeds a variety of foods that vary from day to day, including garden produce, kitchen scraps, chicken culls, eggs-too-dirty-to-use-in-the-kitchen. Especially in winter, a bit of COB is given each evening after the pigs have browsed the pasture (or hay) during the day. COB is a purchased mixture of corn, oats and barley. 2 Another farmer provides, in addition to pasture or local grass hay, a supplement twice a day of a small amount of whole wheat and a cup of hog pellets. 3 Yet another farmer feeds only a minimum amount of grain due to the fact that “these hogs eat like hogs, surviving on garden trash, table scraps and other stuff a farm produces. We avoid feeding corn to them as much as possible. Corn seems to produce obesity which can hamper reproduction.” In addition to moving their portable pens regularly to fresh grass, they “feed them a ration of milo, oats, corn gluten, soy hull pellets, wheat, bran and beet pulp. I purchase this custom mixed feed from the local mill.”
What is a cob pig?
COB is a purchased mixture of corn, oats and barley. Another farmer provides, in addition to pasture or local grass hay, a supplement twice a day of a small amount of whole wheat and a cup of hog pellets.
How often do pig breeders feed?
Some breeders feed once a day after the pigs have browsed all day, and other breeders feed twice a day. Most or all breeders provide grass hay during winter, or when there is no pasture.
What do farmers eat?
One farmer provides pasture and/or hay daily, and also feeds a variety of foods that vary from day to day, including garden produce, kitchen scraps, chicken culls, eggs-too-dirty-to-use-in-the-kitchen.
Do guinea hogs eat grass?
FEED: While most breeders keep their Guinea Hogs on pasture, and Guinea Hogs are renowned for being grazers and enjoying grass, most breeders also supplement their diet with other feeds, either purchased-in specifically, or left-overs from the kitchen, or some combination of both.
Does corn hamper reproduction?
Corn seems to produce obesity which can hamper reproduction.”. In addition to moving their portable pens regularly to fresh grass, they “feed them a ration of milo, oats, corn gluten, soy hull pellets, wheat, bran and beet pulp.
Is there a better feeding system for dogs than the other?
There are a variety of feeding systems or styles, none “better” than the other, but merely a matter of personal preference on the part of the breeder. Various feeding systems, in no particular order:
