Grass fed vs corn fed.

[burntmuch]

Is a grass fed pig better for you than corn fed. Im Also is alfalfa a grass. I can get hog forty for $18 for 50 lbs. So to mix that in a 4 to 1 ratio. I mix it with 200 lbs of corn or other grains. For a couple more bucks I could mix it with 100 lbs of alfalfa pellets & 100 lbs of corn.. Would that be healthier pork . The prices for comercial feed pre mixed vs mixing my self are pretty comparable. so not an issue.
Im looking for healthier pork for the family. I dont have the space for pasture raising these pigs, so would the alfalfa pellets replace the pasture.

 

[freemotion]

It is time in the sun and eating growing things that makes the meat healthier....can you pen them in a small pen where they are outdoors and you can cut and bring them green stuff to eat? Then mix your grain and ferment it for them in buckets. Bring them as much variety of food as you can to keep them healthy, and don't forget the protein. Pigs are omnivores. Look for a source of eggs, milk, I've even heard of someone (here on byh) who had access to old melted ice cream and they soured it in barrels and the pigs thrived on it.

 

[burntmuch]

They will be penned outside. in a 12X20 pen. I will try for free food & other alternative foods, leftovers or what ever. But with my work schedule I may not have the time to search to much on the free food. I guess what Im asking is is it ok to replace half the corn with alfalfa, & will it make a difference at all. I was supposed to be getting the pigs this week, but we just got 12 inches of snow. So my pig adventure has been delayed a bit. freemotion thanks for your input, Always informative.

 

[RIRss]

Just wondering what is fermenting? I am a newbie with these things..Also my pig loves digging up roots and runs around with the grass and eats it.

Thanks,
RIRss

 

[freemotion]

Fermenting can be a simple as putting the food in a bucket, adding water (if applicable) and letting it sit until bubbly and sour. Milk, for example, if raw, will sour for a long time before it rots and becomes inedible. Grains soaked in plenty of water will sour and get bubbly in a few days and pigs love them. I got ahold of some acorns that a friend raked up into a wheelbarrow, then it rained and she went on vacation for two weeks. It was a blackened, sour, cheesy-smelling mess. My pigs went nuts for it!

I put hundreds of pounds of acorns in the pasture and the pigs waited until they got rained on, fermented for a couple of weeks, then they dug into the bottom of the pile to get the most fermented acorns.

I tossed free pumpkins into their pasture, and buckets and buckets of tomatoes. They waited for them to liquify before snarfing them down. Pigs prefer fermented foods.

When I fed corn, whole, I fermented it for several days to a couple of weeks in pails of water. You can speed the process up by adding live whey (from cheesemaking or from draining kefir or yogurt for your own use) but it is not necessary...but boy, do pigs love milk products, especially fermented!

By the way, yogurt and cheese are both examples of fermented products that we eat regularly.