Pigs are precious pets to own. They are those stouted-looking animals with hooves. It is no news that pig owners often wonder what fruits would be best for their pigs health-wise and preference-wise. Well, Brussel Sprouts are a very good option. Brussel sprouts are one of the most healthy vegetables out there.
Though pigs are generally not picky eaters it is still advisable to watch what and how you feed your pigs.
When it comes to feeding your pigs, it is easy to assume that any foods that are healthy for humans should be completely safe for pigs as well. Yes, mostly that is true, but sometimes it is not. One of the vegetables that are safe for humans as well as pigs is Brussel sprouts.
CAN PIG EAT BRUSSEL SPROUTS?
Absolutely, brussels sprouts are safe for pigs but there is a limit to how much they can consume. Some risks are involved when over-feeding your pigs with Brussel sprouts which would be discussed later on in this article.
Are There Any Health Benefits From Brussel Sprouts To Your Pigs
Of course, there are several health benefits Brussel sprouts have to offer your pigs. Vegetables are generally known for their good effects, Brussels sprouts not being exclusive.
If I were to start discussing every bit of benefit Brussel Sprouts as a vegetable has to offer, you would probably get tired of reading.
Thus, to keep it small, we would be discussing only some of the key benefits. Some of which include:
Antioxidant
Research has shown that eating Brussel sprouts serves as a good source of antioxidants. Antioxidants are healthy for both pigs and humans. Antioxidants help to destroy free radicals, which can cause damage to cells if they remain in the body. It also helps with treating any inflammation that might be present in your pig's body
Source of fiber
Yes!, yes! as you expected, fiber! There are hardly any vegetables or fruits that do not have any amount of fiber to offer. Fibers help maintain the general health of the gastrointestinal tract. In every cup of Brussel Sprouts, there are about 3 grams of fiber. Fiber also helps with better bowel movements in your pigs.
Balanced diet
Brussels sprouts don't just come with health benefits, they also ensure that your pig's diet is balanced. It is important to feed your pigs healthy, balanced diet meals, especially the piglet. It helps keep their body at optimal functionality and also maintains good health. Remember, we are what we eat.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is necessary for normal clotting mechanisms. The deficiency of vitamin K causes loss of blood (hemorrhage). Low levels of vitamin K have led to cases like navel bleeding in newborn piglets. Vitamin K also helps pigs with bone development. Thus, the deficiency of it can also lead to growth retardment.
Vitamin C
Fresh Brussels sprouts are an excellent source of vitamin C, as pigs are incapable of producing it. This makes vitamins C as well as other vitamins essential to pigs. Vitamin C is an anti-scurvy vitamin. Scurvy is a disease that causes joint weaknesses and gum bleeding in your pigs. Pigs require around 90 mg of Vitamin C daily to maintain good health. Brussels sprouts contain nearly 75 mg of vitamin C in just one cup, this is about everything a pig needs in a day. Also, vitamin C helps animals recover from any injuries or illnesses. In addition to all these, vitamin C helps in enhancing a stronger immune system.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is an essential vitamin that helps maintain healthy eyesight and a healthy immune system. Brussels sprout is a good source of vitamin A. The deficiency of vitamin A in pigs can lead to night blindness among other defects.
Calcium
Pigs need calcium, humans need calcium. We all need calcium for growth. Calcium is an essential mineral that helps with bone and tooth growth. Your Pigs, especially your piglets need calcium for healthy growth
Why You Should Not Feed your pigs Brussel Sprouts in High Quantities.
While Brussel Sprouts are good food that helps your pigs to lead a healthy life. The high amounts of this food can cause fatal complications. For example, an excessive amount of fiber in the vegetable can lead to diarrhea and other digestive tract issues.
Brussels Sprouts contain a nutrient called oxalic acid. These nutrients become harmful when consumed in excess. Such excesses can be fatal to pigs and other animals, so pig owners should keep an eye out for the nutrients contained in the food they generally serve to their pigs.
Also, as mentioned above, Brussel sprouts contain calcium, overfeeding on calcium is detrimental. Too much calcium consumption can lead to kidney or bladder stones.
It is a general saying that "Too much of everything is bad''. You must feed your pigs this vegetable in moderation to avoid complications. The ideal amount is about 2-3 Brussel Sprouts servings in at least twice a week.
What To Consider while Feeding Yours Pigs with Brussel Sprouts
There are quite a few things to be kept in mind while feeding or choosing food for your pig.
- As mentioned earlier, avoid overfeeding your pigs as much as possible.
- Vegetables and fruits should preferably be served raw and not cooked to your pigs. Pig's digestive system is not designed in such a way that is best for cooked vegetables, therefore, it can be harmful. Also, cooked vegetables ( Brussel Sprouts) lose all their nutrients when cooked. To ensure that your pig gets the maximum nutrients from the vegetable, serving them raw is the best option.
- new meals should not be suddenly introduced to your pig's diet. Introducing it to their diet little by little is an important tip for pig owners. It helps you as an owner to monitor and study any side effects of such food. It is also not a bad idea to consult a veterinarian's opinion before introducing any new food to your pig diet, especially for pigs that have past health issues.
- Mixing Brussel Sprouts with some other preferred fruits or vegetables helps to control the quantity of Brussel Sprouts served to your pigs.
In conclusion
After reading the benefits and risks of feeding your pigs with Brussel Sprouts, it is then left to you to follow each tip on consideration before feeding it to them.
Also, Once the initial stage of introducing Brussel Sprouts has passed and you are sure that your pig likes it, remember to only serve it to them in moderation to avoid adverse effect.
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