Can Pigs Eat Oranges: [Answered In Detail]
Pigs might be able to eat a lot of things, heck, it is something they are known for, but that doesn’t mean everything is good for them. The goal is to add to your pig’s nutritional quality. Some of the first things that probably come to mind are proteins, vegetables, and fruits. But, can pigs eat oranges?
Pigs can eat oranges, but this is something that must be done with the utmost care and limitation. For instance, you’ll have to peel the orange and dispose of the rinds before giving it to the pig.
Might not seem like a lot of trouble right now, but imagine doing this for a hundred pigs or more. It could get pretty time-consuming. That aside, there are so many other options than the orange, what makes the orange such a go-to preference for many?
[Related Article: Can Pigs Eat Bananas]
Can Pigs Eat Oranges Peels
As anyone who has ever been to a farm can attest, pigs are not the most finicky of eaters. In fact, they will pretty much eat anything you put in front of them, including orange peels.
While some people might think that this is gross, there is actually a good reason for it. Orange peels are a great source of fiber, which helps to keep pigs healthy and prevents them from getting constipated.
In addition, orange peels contain a number of vitamins and minerals that are essential for pigs, such as vitamin C and potassium.
So next time you’re eating an orange, don’t be afraid to give the peel to your pig friend – they’ll be sure to appreciate it!
Why Feed Pigs Oranges
Oranges are highly known for being rich in vitamin C. This is something that everyone already knows. However, most people don’t know or understand how important vitamin C is. It can be the primary option for protection against many diseases and bacteria.
It has even been recommended by many vets on many occasions to feed obese pigs oranges, as a means to help them lose weight. Along with these things, the orange provides a plethora of other health benefits.
They boost the immunity by eliminating free radicals, they offer protective properties against arthritis, asthma, and diabetes, they have healthy fibers that help maintain blood sugar and cholesterol levels, they are filled with vitamin A, B1, potassium, calcium, and copper, and that aid in the metabolism process without fattening up the liver.
What About Orange Juice
If pigs can eat oranges, they can drink orange juice, right? Wouldn’t this be an easier alternative? Unfortunately, this is not the case at all. Orange juice contains a high amount of sugar and should be kept away from a pig’s diet at all costs.
Also, the lack of fibrous matter doesn’t contribute to any nutritional value for the pig. In addition to this, when oranges are peeled and squeezed, 40 to 50 percent of that weight remains in the solid waste for. It is this waste that the pig needs for immunity.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a lot of benefits that come along with feeding your pigs oranges. However, there is some negative drawback as well. Like the high sugar content.
With the high sugar content, you’ll want to make sure that you are only feeding your pigs two oranges within every 10 days, otherwise, you run the risk of indigestion and upset stomach.