OOOPS! We got Major Problem! HELP!

[Rockrothwell]

Good Day,

Having read that pigs love Jerusalem Artichokes I planted heaps..... and now our 7 week old pigs will not eat them!

We had planned on Jerusalem Artichokes being a major part of their diet, but these guys are just not interested, even when mixed with stuff they really like (oatmeal & molasses on artichokes) they just sort through it, maybe suck the molasses off and leave the artichokes.

And now we have artichokes coming up ALL OVER THE BLOODY PLACE.

Anybody got any ideas as to how to get them eating - and loving- artichokes just like the book said????

Thanks!

Rock

[Stevie G]

Originally Posted by Rockrothwell

Good Day,

Having read that pigs love Jerusalem Artichokes I planted heaps..... and now our 7 week old pigs will not eat them!

We had planned on Jerusalem Artichokes being a major part of their diet, but these guys are just not interested, even when mixed with stuff they really like (oatmeal & molasses on artichokes) they just sort through it, maybe suck the molasses off and leave the artichokes.

And now we have artichokes coming up ALL OVER THE BLOODY PLACE.

Anybody got any ideas as to how to get them eating - and loving- artichokes just like the book said????

Thanks!

Rock

Theres got to be some sensible reason your pigs won't eat them. There n o fools. Always best to test the water first before jumping in!

[Rockrothwell]

Originally Posted by Stevie G

Theres got to be some sensible reason your pigs won't eat them. There n o fools. Always best to test the water first before jumping in!

Stevie et all,

your right, always best to test the waters before you jump in.

However, Jerome Belanger's book swears they love them and from what i've read pigs will eat anything edible to man. We got another 4 beasts yesterday and they won't eat the damned Jerusalem artichokes either.

So much for the experts...... I suppose it comes down to personal tastes. Maybe they are just a bunch of snobs. I have a big batch of artichokes right next to the pen..... so will continue to chuck bits over the fence at them. if they don't eat them then will withhold feed for a day & give them access to the artichokes. Hate to do it, but when you get a bit hungry, tastes change.

If ANYONE has suggestions as to how to get them eating Jerusalem Artichokes it would be very much appreciated as, although it won't hurt them, withholding food for a day is never appreciated by anyone & we want these guys happy, healty, fat & sassy.

Shane

[Stevie G]

Originally Posted by Rockrothwell

Stevie et all,

your right, always best to test the waters before you jump in.

However, Jerome Belanger's book swears they love them and from what i've read pigs will eat anything edible to man. We got another 4 beasts yesterday and they won't eat the damned Jerusalem artichokes either.

So much for the experts...... I suppose it comes down to personal tastes. Maybe they are just a bunch of snobs. I have a big batch of artichokes right next to the pen..... so will continue to chuck bits over the fence at them. if they don't eat them then will withhold feed for a day & give them access to the artichokes. Hate to do it, but when you get a bit hungry, tastes change.

If ANYONE has suggestions as to how to get them eating Jerusalem Artichokes it would be very much appreciated as, although it won't hurt them, withholding food for a day is never appreciated by anyone & we want these guys happy, healty, fat & sassy.

Shane

Yes don't buy them from Jerusalem, buy them for else where!
And do you know the definition of an expert.............an EX is a has been and a pert(pronounced spurt) is a drip under pressure, boom, boom! I've got to say this, that if a pigs not prepared to eat them then they must be "bloody awful" as you rightly say " pigs will normally eat anything".

[Rockrothwell]

Originally Posted by Stevie G

Yes don't buy them from Jerusalem, buy them for else where!
And do you know the definition of an expert.............an EX is a has been and a pert(pronounced spurt) is a drip under pressure, boom, boom! I've got to say this, that if a pigs not prepared to eat them then they must be "bloody awful" as you rightly say " pigs will normally eat anything".

There is nothing wrong with the Jerusalem Artichokes. We eat them. whilst not my favorite food, they are perfectly eatable. I don't eat alfalfa either but they seem to love it.

But back to the question... Please. Does anyone have any suggestions for getting the pigs to each Jerusalem Artichokes.

Many Thanks,
Rock

[Stevie G]

Originally Posted by Rockrothwell

There is nothing wrong with the Jerusalem Artichokes. We eat them. whilst not my favorite food, they are perfectly eatable. I don't eat alfalfa either but they seem to love it.

But back to the question... Please. Does anyone have any suggestions for getting the pigs to each Jerusalem Artichokes.

Many Thanks,
Rock

How about drying them out, putting them through a mill and feeding them with the Alfalfa. Or buying some Molasses, coating them with it and then feeding it. Or maybe these pigs like them cooked first, so boil them and then serve them up. Or just eat them yourself and give them the other food you it!
Difficult one this.

[blonde]

Originally Posted by Rockrothwell

Stevie et all,

your right, always best to test the waters before you jump in.

However, Jerome Belanger's book swears they love them and from what i've read pigs will eat anything edible to man. We got another 4 beasts yesterday and they won't eat the damned Jerusalem artichokes either.

So much for the experts...... I suppose it comes down to personal tastes. Maybe they are just a bunch of snobs. I have a big batch of artichokes right next to the pen..... so will continue to chuck bits over the fence at them. if they don't eat them then will withhold feed for a day & give them access to the artichokes. Hate to do it, but when you get a bit hungry, tastes change.

If ANYONE has suggestions as to how to get them eating Jerusalem Artichokes it would be very much appreciated as, although it won't hurt them, withholding food for a day is never appreciated by anyone & we want these guys happy, healty, fat & sassy.

Shane

Piglets are only 7 weeks not 7 years old. An old sow might chew on them ....yes .....but this piggy is only a baby and would probably not know quite what to expect with artichokes. Mum is usually the teach of what to eat and how to eat it while still on mum after that they kknow it all suppposedly. So they eat what you give them.....but these oare only babies....I would not expect them to eat artichokes, and certainly not the whole block....sorry fellas!!!

[RedborneSchoolFarm]

Pigs are not ruminants like sheep and cattle and so will struggle to digest a lot of things roots and tubers can be one of them. You shouldn't really feed them potatoes for example as they give them terrible wind and make clearing up interesting. The other issue is if they have been stored in the open. Many roots and tubers will generate toxins to stop them being eaten, you may find that the pigs can smell this and will not eat them. Cooking will remove most toxins and will make them much more palatable.

[vendelboe]

Rember that pigs has 200 times more taste buds in relation to humans.

(sorry for bad english)