One of the best things about having to care for pigs it’s that you quickly learn the extraordinary ability they have when it comes to eating. Pigs love to eat so much that if you let them, they would eat mud. And sure, there are reasons for this, but this is to just show you the determination they have when it comes to eating.
But in reality, pigs should have a balanced diet, and we have to filter the things they eat. For this reason, in this article, I explain everything you need to know about soybeans and whether or not pigs should be eating this legume.
Can pigs eat soybeans? Yes, pigs love to eat soybeans; this is a healthy vegetable for them to have very healthy and quite easy to use with the pigs feed. This type of legume will definitely help your pigs grow strong and healthy.
But it’s important to note that even though pigs can and will eat soybeans, they should only be used as a treat.
The primary source of food for pigs should be the pigs feed which is basically a corn-based diet with added nutrients and protein.
This is the primary source of food they should have if you want to see them grow strong and healthy.
When farmers and pet owners neglect the pigs primary source of food, the pig will start to lose weight, might suffer from weak bones, the meat quality will decrease, and they will have irritated pigs, which is not good.
When pigs are hungry and don’t get the sufficient calories they need on a daily basis, they will become aggressive. And they will try to eat anything you have around.
In the case of the farmer, he will start hunting for other animals like chickens, rabbits etc.
For this reason, you should never put your pigs on a vegetable-only type of diet. What’s best is to give them the pig feed and everything else to use as a treat. And yes, the treats will help their overall health. The pig feed provides the main source of their growth.
Are Soybeans Good for Pigs?
Yes, this is an excellent vegetable for the pigs to have, you can find it basically anywhere, and your pigs will love eating it.
They can also eat it in different types of forms, meaning fried, cooked, boiled etc.
But I’ll say the best way is to steam or boil it just to keep it as healthy as possible.
Soybeans are composed of protein, fat and carbs. Their nutritional value for 3.5 ounces of boiled soybeans is:
Protein 15.6 grams
Calories 173
Water 63%
Carbs 9.9 grams
Sugar 3 grams
Fat 9 grams
Fiber 6 grams
As you can see, the nutritional value is great for pigs, and you can give them large quantities of these vegetables.
And if you don’t know, soybeans are one the most used sources of plant-based protein, and it’s also considered one of the best.
Just to give you some perspective, a cup of boiled soybeans contains 29 grams of protein, so if you’re looking to get your pigs strong and healthy, consider giving them soybean.
Soybeans also provide healthy fat as they are commonly used to make oil.
And let’s not forget that it contains a fair amount of fiber which helps keep healthy the digestive system of the pigs
To finish up with the benefit of them eating this types of legume, soybeans also contain, Vitamin K1, Molybdenum, FOlate, Copper, Phosphorus, Manganese, Thiamine and many other mineral and vitamins, which are also great for the overall health of your pigs.
Can Pigs Eat Raw Soybeans?
It’s recommended that you cook the soybeans before feeding them to your pigs as some of the components found in soybeans can cause the pig to have digestive problems but also it can cause long-term health issues. Of Course, it depends on the number of soybeans they eat, but overall it’s best if it’s cooked.
And yes, pigs will definitely eat raw soybeans if you let them, but like said is best if you cook them first.
Soybeans are a great option for pigs to have when you’re looking to train them or just give them a decent meal. But you have to make sure that it’s properly cooked.
I recommend boiling, steaming, or roasting the soybean and mixing it up with other vegetables or the pigs feed, just to make it more pleasant for them to have.
How to Roast Soybeans for Pigs?
There are different ways of roasting soybeans or should I say, different recipes, but it is up to you to decide what you prefer for your pigs.
I recommend seasoning the soybean with natural products and avoiding salt.
To roast the beans, you can soak the beans in water for 8-12 hours, after, rinse and dry with a paper towel.
Put some olive oil or any other natural greens. And then you can proceed to put it in the oven. Bake at 350F, stirring after 15 min; when they are golden brown, it’s ready to go. It usually takes between 25-45 minutes.
Conclusion: Can Pigs Eat Soybeans?
Yes, pigs love to eat soybeans. This is a great vegetable for them to have as it provides protein, calories, vitamins, and minerals. This type of legume will definitely help the overall health of your pigs, and you can give them as much as they want with frequency.
Soybeans are great if you’re looking to mix it up with the pigs feed or even with other types of vegetables.
As you know, pigs need to have a balanced diet, and their primary source of food should be the pigs feed, but giving them a treat from time to time will help them not get bored of the pigs feed.
So taking the time to feed them vegetables, fruits, and other types of foods will motivate them to keep eating the pigs’ feed.
Pigs are lovely animals, and it’s our responsibility to provide them with the necessary nutrients and vitamins they need. So I do encourage you to keep learning about their diet and the type of food they should be eating.
And the same applies to the farmer, you would want to have great meat quality, and this is achieved by providing healthy foods.