Wild pigs have an omnivorous diet Logo Final

Good Vegetables for Pigs: What Do Pigs Eat? (Potbellied, Mini, Hogs, All)

Yesterday, I gave my pig a few plums that got overripe before I had the chance to eat them. It was only an hour or two later that I started to worry. What if he choked on one of the pits? I quickly ran outside to check on him and was relieved to find him snuffling about in his enclosure as usual.

Pigs will eat almost anything you put in front of them, so we need to be selective about what we offer as pig owners. 

What are good vegetables for pigs? Healthy and good vegetables for pigs include squash, sweet potatoes, corn, leafy greens, green beans, asparagus, artichoke, carrots, and peppers. Many vegetables are healthy for pigs and provide the needed nutrients they need. Vegetables are good for pigs as their primary diet; only a few vegetables need to be restricted.

Our pigs enjoyed a biweekly feast of carrot tops and beetroot leaves for many years. As we grew organic vegetables and fruits for the market, our hogs benefited from the parts humans don’t want to eat. As spring approached this year, I wanted to know what spring vegetables were good for pigs and decided to make a comprehensive list.

Below is a complete chart of vegetables pigs can and can’t eat. But if you are looking for more information, you may want to check out the information on types of cabbage that pigs can eat.

Nowadays, it seems the vervet monkeys that live on the neighboring property get more of our vegetables than we do. We’re subsequently looking at other plants we could grow for our pigs that the monkeys might find less tempting.

Can Pigs Eat This Vegetable Chart?

Vegetables: Can Mini Pigs EatCan Potbelly Pigs EatCan All Pigs EatBenefits
ArtichokesYesYesYesFaster Growth
AsparagusYesYesYesLose Weight
EggplantNoNoNo-Do not eat
Onions
Green BeansPole BeansBush BeansYesYesYes
Black BeansLima BeansLentilsCooked onlyCooked onlyCooked only-Raw is dangerous
Bean SproutsNoNoNo
BeetsYesYesYesImproves Gut Health
Bell PeppersYesYesYes-Few Nutrients
JalepenoesSparinglySparinglySparingly-Fe Nutrients
BroccoliYesYesYesRich in Vitamins
Brussel SproutsYesyEsYesVitamins
CabbageYesYesYesFiber
CarrotsSparinglySparinglySparinglyHigh in Sugar
CauliflowerYesYes Yes-Don’t like it as well
CeleryYesYesYes-Little nourishment
CornYesYesYesExcellent for growth and weight gain
CucumbersYesYesYes-Too few calories
PeasSugar PeasChinese PeaseSnow PeaseYesYesYes-Low in Calories
FennelYesYesYesHigh in Antioxidants
KaleYesYesYesHelps with weight gain
LettuceYesYesYes-Low Calories
MushroomsYesYesYesBoosts Immune System
OkraYesYesYesBoosts Immune System
RadishesYesYesYesRich in vitamins
SpinachSparinglySparinglySparingly-Oxalic Acid
SquashPumpkinsYesYesYesNatural Dewormer
Sweet PotatoesYesYesYesGood Finisher- Cooked is best
Swiss ChardYesYesYesMuscle Function
TomatoesFruit onlyFruit onlyFruit onlyNutritious and hydration
ZucchiniYesYesYes-Low calories

9 Good Vegetables For Pigs 

Growing up farming pigs, I know just how important a diet full of veggies can keep my herd happy and healthy. But with so many options, knowing good vegetables for pigs may be difficult. And that’s the reason I went the extra step to research the best vegetable experts recommend for pig diets.

Can Pigs Eat Artichokes?

Pigs can eat artichokes, which have been shown to improve weight gain and feed conversion. Artichokes are healthy for pigs to eat, but the artichoke core and stem should be removed so the pig doesn’t choke on them. hogs can eat fresh, frozen, or cooked artichoke as long as it doesn’t contain high levels of added salt or sugar. Artichokes contain Vitamins K, C, folate, phosphorus, and magnesium. 

Not all pigs like artichoke even though it benefits their health. If your pig doesn’t like eating artichokes, you can add a small quantity with other food to get it used to the taste. 

Studies have found that adding Jerusalem artichoke to a growing pig’s diet leads to “faster growth and improved feed conversion.” It also seems to increase probiotic levels in the pig’s gut.

Can pigs eat artichoke leaves? Pigs can eat artichoke leaves, which are healthy for them. Artichoke leaves help with feed conversion and can be eaten raw or cooked.

Pigs enjoy fruits and vegetables on top of their usual diet DLX2 Final

Can Pigs Eat Green Beans? 

Pigs can eat green beans, pole beans, bush beans, and all parts of the bean plant, including the leaves, flowers, and roots. Green beans provide Vitamins A, C, K, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium and a host of other minerals and nutrients that are good for hogs. Raw, cooked, and frozen green beans are good for pigs. 

Green beans can be fed as part of an overall portion of your pig’s food, but they don’t contain enough calories for pigs to gain weight. Leftover green beans, freezer-burned beans, or spent bean plants are all good to feed your hogs. Mini pigs, potbellied, and farm pigs can eat green beans. 

Pigs can eat green beans including the leaves, flowers, and roots DLX2 final

Black Beans, Lima Beans, and other Lentils

Pigs can eat cooked black beans and frozen black beans, but cannot eat raw, dried, or canned black beans. Raw black beans (including dried) contain lectin, which is toxic to pigs and can cause major digestive issues akin to food poisoning. Lectins boil out of beans so cooked beans, or cooked then frozen beans, are ok to feed pigs. Canned beans contain too high of sodium to be healthy for pigs. Pigs can eat edama

Sprouted beans should not be fed to pigs until they have been cooked. Studies have found that pigs fed raw beans (up to 15% of their diet) have issues digesting protein and suffer other effects. Pigs should not eat raw lentis including black beans, turtle beans, black eyed peas, garbanzo beans, lima beans, kidney peans, navy beans, pinto beans, split peas, soy beans, mung beans, anasazi beans, or any other form of dried lentils. 

Beans provide high protein and are packed with fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc and folate. This makes beans count as a vegetable. They have zero fat, which means that if farm pigs are fed primarily beans, they won’t gain weight as fast. Mini pigs and potbellied pigs can eat cooked beans. Beans have moderate carbs. It’s best to feed beans with corn and other high-calorie foods. 

Pigs can eat all parts of the corn plant, including the grain, stalk, cob, and leaves DLX2 Final

Corn: An Essential Part of a Pig’s Diet

Pigs, including potbellied pigs, can eat all parts of the corn plant, including the grain, stalk, cob, and leaves. Corn is often dried and fed to pigs as part of their base feed routine because it’s high in calories and can fatten up pigs faster than other foods. Corn is a very healthy part of a pig’s diet. Cooked corn is also good for pigs and can help decrease how much pigs eat by as much as 6% because it makes it easier for pigs to digest than raw, dried corn.  

Corn is an excellent energy source for pigs and is widely available as commercial pig food. Corn and soybeans are usually the two main ingredients in pig feed. You don’t have to buy it, though. Pigs will also do well on the leaves and cobs we humans discard. Studies indicate that feeding the whole cob to your pig can improve its “digestive physiology and growth performance.” 

Pigs average 1.7 to 2.0 pounds of corn a day until they finish. Corn offers many essential vitamins and nutrients, including folate, thiamin, phosphorus, Vitamin C, and magnesium.

Pigs have impressive appetites and the digestive system to handle almost everything they eat DLX2 Final

Can Pigs Eat Kale?

Kale is very healthy for pigs to eat. Pigs can consume the stems and leaves, but not the roots. Kale is safe to eat either fresh or wilted, although most hogs prefer fresh, crunchy leaves. Never feed your pigs frozen kale. Kale is packed with vitamins and nutrients. It also contains fiber, antioxidants, and calcium, making it a healthy choice for all types of pigs, including pot-bellied and mini pigs.

Kale is a valuable winter maintenance ration for pigs. Pigs can gain weight on a diet of kale, especially if they have some grain in their diet. Fed in excess, kale may cause bloat. 

Is Lettuce A Good Food for Pigs?

Lettuce is an excellent food for pigs; they can eat all parts of the plant, including the roots. It’s high in fiber and contains essential calories, carbohydrates, and protein. During the summer, its high moisture content makes it a refreshing snack, while in winter, it provides nutrients necessary for bone growth. 

Pigs can eat any variety of lettuce, although some are more nutritious. Romaine lettuce is better for pigs than iceberg lettuce, but whatever the type, pigs can eat as much lettuce as they like. It’s low in calories, so it won’t cause the pig to gain much weight, but its nutritional value makes it an excellent addition to their diet.

Can I Feed My Pig Mushrooms?

Not all mushrooms are safe for pigs. If a mushroom’s safe for human consumption, you can be pretty sure it’s also safe for pigs. You should avoid feeding your pig wild mushrooms you can’t accurately identify as they could be poisonous. However, some types of edible mushrooms are highly nutritious. 

In a study of weaner piglets, researchers found that including oyster mushrooms in their diets reduces the frequency of diarrhea, boosts the immune system, and promotes a healthy digestive system. Mini pigs should be fed a limited diet of mushrooms.

Can Pigs Eat Okra?

Pigs can eat all parts of the okra plant, raw or cooked. Okra is a highly nutritious food for hogs and a good source of minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. Pigs love okra and will eat as many as they can. Letting them consume large quantities isn’t advisable as okra doesn’t contain enough calories to meet the pig’s daily nutritional needs.

Okra is rich in vitamin C, which helps support the pig’s immune system. It’s also a good source of folate, which pregnant pigs need to maintain healthy milk production and improve piglet performance. Potbellied, as well as the other pig breeds, can all eat okra. 

What Vegetables Can Pigs Not Eat?

Pigs should not eat avocado skin or pit as it may be toxic. Rhubarb, onions, and garlic all contain substances that, when consumed in large quantities, can be harmful to pigs. In addition, because they contain solanine, a toxic substance in large doses, members of the nightshade family like tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers should only be fed to pigs sparingly.

Solanin may increase intestinal leakiness and alter the gastrointestinal microbiota, which could subsequently cause gas, bloating, and exacerbate arthritis-related inflammation. Pigs may develop ostearthitis and joint damage as a result of this. I’ve also seen diarrhea in some of my pigs after eating a lot of tomatoes. 

Given that the Napier grass I had fed mu pigs had never previously caused diarrhea, I surmised that tomatoes were to blame. After some research, I discovered that while diarrhea related to nightshades isn’t well covered in pigs, these vegetables can cause diarrhea in humans. Pigs and humans have the same digestive system (monogastric).

Brassicas like broccoli, cauliflower, and vegetables containing furocoumarins, such as celery, parsley, and parsnips, should also be avoided. These vegetables can cause delayed growth and photosensitivity issues in the central nervous system and digestive system. Brassica may help with pig gut and immune health. But feeding it to the pigs regularly is dangerous.

Vegetables Pigs Should Avoid

I steer clear of giving the following vegetables to pigs: 

  • Avocado skin and pit
  • Rhubarb
  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Green Potatoes
  • Brassica Vegetables: Broccoli, Cauliflower
  • Furocoumarins: Celery, Parsley, Parsnips
  • Nightshades: Tomatoes, peppers, egg plant,

Although pigs should avoid the above vegetables, some, like tomatoes, are ok if only the fruit is fed, while others, like eggplant should be fed sparingly.

What Vegetables Do Pigs Like the Most?

Pigs have a varied diet and will eat almost anything, including meat, grain, fruits, and vegetables. However, some vegetables stand out as favorites for pigs. 

Pigs are known to like a variety of vegetables, including leafy ones like lettuce, cabbage, spinach, and sweet potato vine.

Pigs also enjoy root crops like potatoes, carrots, and sugar beets. They love green beans, which also contain Vitamins A, C, and K, Folate, and minerals like Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, and Potassium. Pigs like eating cucumbers, beets and pitted kale. These veggies contain many vitamins and minerals, such as potassium and manganese.

Pumpkins, squashes, zucchinis, and snow peas are some other popular vegetable pigs enjoy. Yams, chard, turnips, and corn are also favorites of some pigs. Fresh corn, regarded as a vegetable, is an excellent energy source. Sweet corn contains a lot of carbs, which can help pigs grow quickly, and vitamins C, D, and B6, as well as protein, magnesium, and potassium.

While pigs may prefer these particular vegetables, it is important to remember that to get all the nutrients they require, their diet should be well-rounded and include a variety of fruits and vegetables. To ensure that pigs consume a balanced diet, it is advised to provide them with a variety of vegetables.

Preferred Vegetables Pigs Love to Eat

Good Vegetables for Pigs FAQs

Have you ever wanted to learn more about what vegetables are safe to feed to your pet pig? Find out here. 

What Vegetables Do Pigs Like the Most?

In general, pigs enjoy eating cucumbers, cooked potatoes, beets, dark green lettuce, and pitted kale. Pumpkins, squashes, zucchinis, snow peas, and spinach are some other popular vegetables among pigs. Yams, chard, carrots, turnips, and corn are also favorites of some pigs.

Can Pigs Survive on Vegetables?

Pigs can survive on vegetables as part of a complete diet but not on only vegetables. While some veggies are rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals, such as kale, spinach, and sweet potato vines, pigs need other nutrients found in grain. However, adding fruits, grains, and other high-protein sources make a balanced and healthy diet. With the right combinations of foods, pigs can live long, happy lives on a vegetarian diet.

Can You Feed Pigs Vegetable Peelings?

Pigs can be fed peelings of fresh vegetables from grocery stores or farm stands, so long as they are not brought inside. If you have any doubts about whether or not it is safe for pigs to eat raw vegetable peels, you should boil them. Giving your pigs any leftover vegetables from your kitchen is also not a good idea.

What Do Pigs Dat?

Pigs eat meat, grain, fruits, and vegetables. They will eat almost anything, including roots, worms, eggs, insects and leftovers. Some foods, such as pork, are not good for them. They enjoy fruits and vegetables and will even tuck into some weeds with apparent relish. Wild pigs have an omnivorous diet consisting of roots, plants, insects, worms, raw eggs, and other delicacies.

Conclusion

Pigs have impressive appetites and the digestive system to handle almost everything they eat. Despite that, not all fruits and vegetables are beneficial to their health.

If you want to give your pig a refreshing, nutritious snack, choose from any fruits and vegetables listed in this article. Adding them to your compost rather than your pig’s trough is probably best if they’re not listed here. 

My Most Used Pig Supplies

This list contains affiliate products. Affiliate products do not cost more but helps to support BestFarmAnimals and our goal to provide farm animal owners with accurate and helpful information.

Purina Pig Chow will last well (or Mazuri is popular, but I haven’t tried it), and the stainless steel non-skid bowls that will help keep the mess down.

A pig blanket to keep her warm. This one also has bright colors and helps to provide rooting without the destruction.

Pig Harness for walking and handling your pig. There are a lot to choose from, but this one is pretty easy to use. If you want one that has a separate leash, this looks like a good one.

A large crate for keeping her safe in your house at night and when you leave the house. This is essential. You’ll also want a litterbox, and I like mine with a lid for nighttime. Pine shavings are best, and you may be able to find them in larger quantities locally.

When you have accidents, Odoban will help eliminate odors. When you are potty training, these floor pads work great for keeping your house clean while training her to go in certain places.

You’ll also want an outdoor house to keep her warm when she gets outside time, an essential part of her development.

Dewormer- Ivermectin is the primary dewormer I use, although I do rotate with a non-ivermect ingredient once so that the worms don’t get immune to it.

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4647074/

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