Pigs can definitely eat figs, your pigs will love this treat and will enjoy the many nutritional benefits that they bring as they are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Figs are extremely beneficial to your pigs, but if you are feeding them for the first time, you may want to start with a small amount at first and see how they react. You can always increase the amount later on as long as it is a gradual process.
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Health Benefits Of Figs For Pigs
Benefits of eating figs for pigs:
The fruit pulp or the edible part of figs consists of sweet soluble fiber and water. These are digested slowly and the pig gets constant release of glucose into his blood stream. This helps him to remain calm and satisfied for a longer period than if he would eat a protein diet.
The raw fruits also contain beneficial nutrients like vitamins, proteins, calcium, iron and other minerals that help support proper growth in pigs. The fruits also contain anti-oxidants that help to counter any oxidative damage done by external agents to organs like liver, kidney & heart. In ancient times when pigs were reared within homes they were fed exclusively with these fruits because they not only helped them grow faster but also helped them resist disease & infections better
What Fruits Are Good For Pigs?
We can consider fruits a great addition to a pig’s diet, of course, there are fruits that are better than others, here are the that I consider a must:
-Grapes: these are one of the most popular fruits that is given to pigs. Grapes are high in fibers and have a high sugar content. This makes them an excellent and popular choice for feeding pigs because of its easy digestibility, nutritional value and energy density. Grapes also contain good quantities of vitamin K, A, B6, C, and folate which are beneficial to piglet growth. They can be given to piglets after they are weaned
-Banana: Banana is not only tasty but it is also highly nutritious for pigs. It contains high levels of potassium which helps in maintaining a healthy blood pressure in pigs. Bananas also contain thiamine and riboflavin that helps metabolize carbohydrates while maintaining the required level of insulin secretion by pancreas
-Apples: Apples too make a great fruit offering for your pet pigs as they contain beneficial antioxidants including quercetin that help strengthen the immune system. Apples help lower the risk of cardiovascular issues and also aid in maintaining healthy blood pressure
–Coconut: Coconut is very low in cholesterol, high in fiber and yet contains a good amount of protein. It is a good food for piglets as it helps reduce the incidence of coccidiosis
–Blueberries: High in fiber and low in fat and calories, blueberries are great food for your pet pig. They help regulate blood sugar levels in your pigs as well as lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes and obesity
-Strawberries: Strawberries can be introduced as early as 7 days post birth. They contain high levels of folic acid that helps prevent birth defects in pigs. It is also recommended for provision during pregnancy to reduce chances of miscarriages
The above fruits are recommended for your pet pig as they contain good amounts of nutrients such as fiber, Vitamin C, B6 and potassium that aid in improving their digestive system and metabolism.
What Pigs Shouldn’t Eat?
It is also extremely important to know what to avoid feeding to your pigs.
Here is a list of what you need to keep away from them:
– Citrus Fruits: Due to their high acidic levels will cause problems to their digestive system.
– Avocado: Avocado contains persin, which is toxic to pigs.
– Chocolate: yes, you read it right, chocolate is bad for your pigs because it contains toxic elements.
– Coffee: I know, it’s a little bit harder to imagine that the pigs could eat coffee, but you need to know that caffeine is considered toxic for them.
– Ivy: yes, even the beautiful flowers can cause problems if ingested.
-Apple seeds: yes, the seeds of apples can cause problems to your pigs, so try to remove them from your food before feeding them to your pigs.
– Tomatoes leaves: they contain a toxic substance called alkaloid tomatine, which is also toxic for some animals.
