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Post by chellebelle on Jun 4, 2014 4:59:15 GMT
Hi, I read that pregnant piggies need Alfalfa Hay. I was just wondering how important that is for them? And if it is okay to free feed it in the cage if the boar is still in there with the sow?
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Post by Orlaith on Jun 4, 2014 11:13:46 GMT
Pregnant pigs don't need alfalfa hay, they can do just fine without it. It contains high levels of calcium so it's a nice boost to them while they're pregnant and while nursing, and the new babies can benefit from it too.
However, it's not suitable as an everyday-hay for other pigs. Once in a while is fine but not as their main hay. That's because the high calcium levels can cause other issues, such as bladder stones, in regular pigs. For that reason I wouldn't feed it if the boar is still in there other than a handful here and there as a treat.
If you don't give alfalfa at all during pregnancy your sow and pups won't suffer any ill effects, so don't worry. Just provide her with a unlimited good quality hay, a good quality pellet and a variety of fresh veg and she'll do the rest. In a lot of countries, for example Ireland and the UK, alfalfa is pretty seldom grown as a crop compared to the USA, so it's tough and sometimes impossible to source alfalfa hay and our piggies get on just fine!
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Post by chellebelle on Jun 4, 2014 17:15:40 GMT
Thank you Orlaith I'll just give it as a treat then while my boar's still in with her. I'm in the USA so I have a access to good quality/priced alfalfa, so once I take him out I will provide unlimited alfalfa to her and the pups when they're born. Thank you so much for your advice
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