Pigs are extraordinary animals that can easily sustain your family and others as they provide large amounts of meat which is great. This is why you will typically see pigs on most farms around the world, it’s a great business model.
But to receive these types of benefits, you have to care for your pigs diet as it’s one of the most essential tasks you will have to do when caring for this animal.
For this reason, in this article, I tell you everything you need to know about beans and whether or not your pigs should be eating these types of vegetables or legumes.
Can pigs eat beans? In general, pigs can eat beans; depending on the type of beans and condition, the consumption recommendation could vary, but overall beans or legumes are an affordable source of iron, fiber, protein, and vitamins that will favor your pigs health.
It’s important to consider that pigs should not go on a beans-only diet for days to come, as they require a balanced and nutritional diet in order to thrive.
And although beans have a high volume of nutrients, it doesn’t have all the necessary calories and nutrients a pig needs in order to survive or thrive.
The main source of calories and nutrients should always come from the pig feed or the recommended corn-based diet.
This type of diet it’s essential if you want to achieve optimal health conditions with your pigs.
Pig feed is made in a way that includes all the necessary nutrients a pig needs to grow strong and healthy.
And yes, using other types of foods like beans, vegetables and fruits are a great way to help pigs break from the routine. It should only be used as a complementary to their pig feed diet.
So do feel comfortable using these extra sources of food with your pigs but never forget they should only be used as treats.
If you’re looking to achieve consistency with the meat quality, what I just said it’s essential to follow.
Are Beans Good for Pigs?
As you can imagine, beans are a great source of energy that will improve the overall health of your pigs.
Beans are from the Fabaceae family, which means there are different types of beans or legumes you can use to feed your pigs, and that will also provide an excellent source of nutrients.
As I previously mentioned, this type of food can provide protein which is vital if you’re looking for your pigs to develop strong muscles.
Beans also contain folate, which helps with blood health, and let’s not forget it’s an antioxidant.
It can also help prevent heart disease in pigs.
To give you a general idea, here is the list of the type of nutrients you can find in one cup of cooked beans.
- 269 calories,
- 14.5 grams of protein
- 45 grams of carbohydrates
- 4.25 fats
- Vitamin B9
- 26% in iron
- 73% manganese
- 64% cooper
As you can see, this bean will improve your pigs health. You just have to mix it up with the pig feed, and you will be all set.
Another great thing about using beans it’s that they can be mixed with all types of food, and your pigs will love it.
Can You Feed Cooked Beans to Pigs?
Yes, cooked beans it’s the right form of feeding them to pigs; it makes the beans soft, provides taste, and is much easier to digest.
Uncooked beans can be quite difficult to eat and quite difficult for the pigs to acquire a taste for.
Imagine yourself trying to eat uncooked beans. I’m sure you will have a difficult time. The same applies to the pigs; as a general rule, when feeding pigs, apply common sense, and much of this type of problem will be solved.
But do make sure when feeding them cooked beans they are not high in salts or sugar as this will affect the overall health of your pigs.
Can Pigs Eat Black Beans?
Black beans, famously known because of their hard shell-like appearance, are a great source of nutrients that your pigs could definitely have.
So yes, if you have some delicious cooked black beans feel free to give them to your pigs, you can even mix them up with the pigs’ feed, and I’m sure they will love it even more.
Another reason for using black beans with your pigs it’s that they can help strengthen the pigs bones; it contains quercetin which protects the heart and can provide a significant amount of calories.
Can Pigs Eat Kidney Beans?
Kidney beans are a great source of nutrients for pigs, so they can definitely eat as much as they want. These commonly known beans are quite available throughout the United States and Latin America.
Some people know them as red beans, but they’re native to Central American and Mexico. So there is no surprise in seeing this type of bean consumption in pig farms in America since they are part of our culture.
But in reality, this type of bean comes in different colors such as white, black, red, purple, and more.
They contain the same amount of minerals and vitamins as the other beans I just mentioned, so do feel free to feed them to your pigs.
Can Pigs Eat Pinto Beans?
Pinto beans are a great option to use when feeding your pigs; they are commonly known as the “judias pintas” and it’s one the most commonly used products in Mexico and the southwestern United States.
These are extremely nutritious legumes; they provide all the nutritional benefits I previously mentioned, but this one has a richness of antioxidants.
What’s also great is that they are quite affordable and easy to prepare, so this is a great option to use if you’re looking to feed your pigs. Just remember that, like with other beans, they should always be cooked before feeding to the pigs.
Can pigs eat canned beans?
I’ll be honest; I prefer if you use natural beans (non-process) when feeding it to your pigs, this is the most healthier way of doing it.
This way, you can avoid the salt and all the preservatives they put in these types of foods.
But technically speaking, your pigs can eat canned beans; you just have to make sure the beans are not rotted or expired. Please make sure this is not the case, as feeding them old canned beans can put their lives in danger or at least cause a potential health issue.
So yes, feed them the canned beans if you have to but make sure they are edible.
Can Pigs Eat Green Beans?
Green beans are a great option to use as they promote healthy bones and reduce the risk of fractures. So yes, you can definitely use them with your pigs.
And even though they have a low volume of calories, they contain high amounts of vitamins and nutrients.
You can boil or steam the beans, and they will make a delicious meal that can be mixed with other types of foods.
In the case of green beans, many pigs will eat them raw, especially if they are fed with the pig feed.
Can Pigs Eat Lima Beans?
Yes, pigs can definitely eat cooked lima beans. They provide a great source of potassium, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, calcium, and many other nutrients.
There have been many studies regarding the benefits of the lima beans, so this is definitely a great option to use with your pigs. One of the amazing benefits it’s that it will improve gut health as they provide resistant starch, which helps promote good bacteria colonies.
These types of beans are in season during summer and early fall so this is a great opportunity if you’re looking to give them a try with your pigs. They can also be fed in their frozen form, and your pigs will love them, especially during the hot summer month.
Can Pigs Eat Bean Sprouts?
Yes, pigs can definitely eat bean sprouts, but they won’t provide the necessary calories and nutrients your pigs need in order to survive.
But if you have them available, why not use them with your pigs. Just mix it up with the pigs feed or corn diet.
This type of sprout is commonly used in salads, so you can also mix them up with other vegetables and feed them to your pigs.
One of the main benefits of using bean sprouts it’s that it will help with the overall digestive system of the pigs as they contain high amounts of fiber
Can Pigs Eat Runner Beans?
Runners are naturally fat-free, low in calories but have a great amount of protein, vitamins, and fiber, so this is a great option to use with your pigs.
There are different varieties such as hestia, kelvedon, moonlight, painted lady, prizewinner, scarlet emperor, and more.
All this is great for pigs to have as they are not toxic and are quite delicious.
You can steam the beans to make them easier for the pigs to digest. Young tender beans are recommended.
Pigs can technically eat them raw, but it’s best if they are cooked because raw beans contain small amounts of lectin phytohaemagglutinin, which can be harmful if eaten in large quantities.
Can Pigs Eat Refried Beans?
This delicious Mexican meal can definitely be fed to pigs, but it also depends on how you cook them. As I’ve been saying through this article, when it comes to the pigs diet, they can eat almost anything; you just have to be careful with the salt and sugar.
So if you just made some delicious refried beans and you got yourself some left over, feel free to give them to your pigs.
And just like other bean types, this is a highly nutritious meal that will provide fiber, iron, protein, zinc, and all the nutrients I’ve previously mentioned.
But remember they have to be cooked in a healthy way, because the traditional refried beans have lots of salt, bacon fat which is unhealthy for pigs.
What Kind of Beans Can Pigs Eat?
It’s impossible to cover all types of beans out there, but I decided to create this section just to let you know that you can feed them different types of beans, and your pigs will be ok.
I did try to give you some benefits of some of the most common beans out there, but overall, beans will provide great health value to your pigs.
You just have to make sure that they are cooked.
The general rule to follow when it comes to beans is that if you can eat them, you, pigs can also eat them. Of Course, this doesn’t apply to all types of food, but it’s a helpful rule to follow in this case.
Can Mini Pigs Eat Beans?
Yes, all types of pig bread can eat beans; you just have to apply the rules I’ve previously mentioned when it comes to feeding them this type of food.
Follow them, and your pigs will enjoy a delicious meal.
Conclusion: Can Pigs Eat Beans?
Yes, pigs can definitely eat beans as they provide protein, iron vitamins, fiber, and many other nutrients. But when feeding the beans, you need to make sure to cook them first, as raw beans are not the best option for pigs to digest.
Also, remember that pigs require a balanced diet which means they need to eat the pig feed as their primary source of nutrients, and then the rest of the foods can be used as a complement.
Pigs are amazing animals and can live under many conditions, but in order to have a thriving pig you have to make sure they follow a nutritional healthy diet.
What’s great about using beans is that they are quite available throughout the world, and if you mix them up with white rice, this can make a delicious meal for pigs. I guarantee you that if you prepare this delicious meal, your pigs will thank you for it.