OK, I have been working with a nutritionist about a new idea I had, and would LOVE some feedback on it.
I know there are alot of you out there that are either feeding a pelletless diet, or would LIKE to feed a pelletless diet but worry about the vitamins and minerals and specific nutrients that a pelletless diet may lack.
So I was thinking of making a pellet that would contain very little hay, but some to bind it and make it palatable, but would provide all the necessary nutrients for your pigs.
I think the research bears out that alot of teeth issues and also some digestive issues are related to the fact that pigs tend to eat more pellets, get full on those, and don't eat enough long fiber hay.
So I am trying to come up with a "pellet" (just the size and shape) but they would only contain the necessary nutrients and all natural ingredients for those of you who are pelletless or want to go pelletless.
I always wanted to stop the pellets with my herd, but I was afraid that I would be unable to calculate how much of each veggie each pig would need. Also, in a herd environment, it is nearly impossible to tell who is eating what! So I was worried that Buttercup would not get enough C, and Seemee would not get enough phosphorus, etc.
Is there any interest out there for something like this?? It would not be cheap, but most things worthwhile are not.
I need feedback to see if it is worth pursuing. Thank you! :)
Pelletless pellet??
I have a pellet question: is an alfalfa-less pellet like Oxbow's Cavy Cuisine okay for a stoney pig as long as he's eating plenty of hay too?
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kleenmama
- I GAVE, dammit!
dgarriques, no, it would not be fed that way. It would be probably a once or twice a week feeding, with very few pellets needed.
It would basically be for peace of mind that the pigs were getting additional nutrients that may be missed by produce and hay feeding alone.
It's impossible to tell with so much of our produce coming from different countries how it has been farmed. If alot of the produce is coming from areas where the soil is poor (even in the US) then the standards for nutrients could be low or lacking completely.
I am still working out the logistics, and not sure it would even be possible to get a mill to make small batches like I would need.
Unlike regular pellets, you would obviously never need a 50 lbs bag and so 1-5 lbs would be more likely.
Misadventure, Cavy Cuisine is a good choice for a stone pig. Pellets made from timothy hay have a lower protein content that alfalfa pellets.
It would basically be for peace of mind that the pigs were getting additional nutrients that may be missed by produce and hay feeding alone.
It's impossible to tell with so much of our produce coming from different countries how it has been farmed. If alot of the produce is coming from areas where the soil is poor (even in the US) then the standards for nutrients could be low or lacking completely.
I am still working out the logistics, and not sure it would even be possible to get a mill to make small batches like I would need.
Unlike regular pellets, you would obviously never need a 50 lbs bag and so 1-5 lbs would be more likely.
Misadventure, Cavy Cuisine is a good choice for a stone pig. Pellets made from timothy hay have a lower protein content that alfalfa pellets.
The answer to this is probably REALLY obvious, but what's the difference between this and, say, feeding them Critical Care once and a while on an otherwise almost pellet-free diet? Is there too much protein/calcium/hay in CC?
Other than that, I LOVE the idea - I would jump right on that. I think that palatability might be an issue, but if you can get past that, I think it would be terrific.
Other than that, I LOVE the idea - I would jump right on that. I think that palatability might be an issue, but if you can get past that, I think it would be terrific.
I would love to try something of that nature. Could it be manufactured so that the shelf life would be reasonable, since you would feed in small quantity? (I know you wouldn't be buying a 5 lb sack, but rumor says the Vit C in pellets is quite unstable, for instance.)
