"We have it in our power to begin the world over again." - Thomas Paine
ben harpo wrote:Is it better to mix salt and mineral with pastured hog rations, or offer salt and mineral free choice?
If mixed how can you tell when they have too much or not enough?
If free choice, how do you build a mineral feeder cheaply that hogs and rain will not destroy?
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Scott H.
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Maybe next year I'll try some free-choice minerals. I've started doing it that way with the poultry and water fowl without any problems yet. The feeder used for the birds it made from 3" PVC pipe with a 'Y' fitting and a plug at the bottom. It might work for hogs if it's firmly anchored to something solid.
Peace of Earth Farm, Albany, VT http://www.peaceofearthfarmalbany.wordpress.com
I have heard that free choice for cows is a great way to apply the appropriate minerals missing from your soil. Others that have tried it report high mineral cost in the beginning, but over a couple of years the mineral requirements decrease significantly as the soil mineral levels become balanced.
I would be very leery of giving pigs a mineral mix free choice. It is very easy for pigs to overdose on salt which is fatal to them.
Scott H.
Check out my house project!
Scott H.
Check out my house project!
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