Vitamin C Supplements?

[Deleted member 149630]

Hello!

My 2 1-year-old sows have been receiving Oxbow Vitamin C supplements about how long I've had them. I can't say exactly when I started feeding them these supplements, but it's been well over a year. I'd done research before finding this forum on notably less-reliable sites, reccomending it.

I was recently notified on this forum by @Piggies&buns that supplements should not be part of my piggies regular diet, but that they are good for a couple weeks when needed. I was also told that my pigs are now used to very high levels of Vit C and could get scurvy if their Vitamin C levels were lowered to a healthy amount.

I know @Piggies&buns is trustworthy and knowledgeable on the subject. I'd just me more comfortable making dietary changes if I had second opinions.

They view their Vitamins as treats and would not be a fan of weaning... and also I've never weaned anyone off of anything before. So, if I need to wean, how slowly should I go?

Thank you all!

 

[PigglePuggle]

@Piggies&buns is correct, piggies fed a healthy balanced diet should quite easily get sufficient vit C from their veggies. Bell pepper and coriander and especially good for vit C, and a slice of pepper or stem of coriander daily is a much more natural way to satisfy vit C needs.
You might start reducing by giving the supplements to every other day instead of every day for a week, then reducing to twice a week for a week, then just stop.
If you replace the supplement with a sprig of coriander or a small piece of pepper this should work fine too.
Many other veggies especially herbs or dark leafy greens are also high in vit C, but some are high calcium- like parsley, and dill, and spinach- so these should be fed more sparingly, perhaps once or twice a week in small amounts.
But coriander/cilantro and bell peppers of all colours can be fed daily and should easily supply enough vit C. Supplements may be beneficial for a few days during illness, and if the supplement is a treat biscuit it could be given as a once a week treat with no ill effects especially if you are worried about their vit C intake, but like with humans, daily supplements are unnecessary for a well nourished healthy individual.

 

[VickiA]

@Piggies&buns is correct, piggies fed a healthy balanced diet should quite easily get sufficient vit C from their veggies. Bell pepper and coriander and especially good for vit C, and a slice of pepper or stem of coriander daily is a much more natural way to satisfy vit C needs.
You might start reducing by giving the supplements to every other day instead of every day for a week, then reducing to twice a week for a week, then just stop.
If you replace the supplement with a sprig of coriander or a small piece of pepper this should work fine too.
Many other veggies especially herbs or dark leafy greens are also high in vit C, but some are high calcium- like parsley, and dill, and spinach- so these should be fed more sparingly, perhaps once or twice a week in small amounts.
But coriander/cilantro and bell peppers of all colours can be fed daily and should easily supply enough vit C. Supplements may be beneficial for a few days during illness, and if the supplement is a treat biscuit it could be given as a once a week treat with no ill effects especially if you are worried about their vit C intake, but like with humans, daily supplements are unnecessary for a well nourished healthy individual.

Thanks for such a helpful response @PigglePuggle

 

[Deleted member 149630]

Thank you so much @PigglePuddle! I will do just that! My coriander and bell pepper supply is running low (Thanks, Daisy) so as soon as I restock I will wean them off. I like the idea of using the supplements as a once a week treat, I think I will do that. We bought it in a package of several bags, so I think I will do that after weaning until I get down to the last bag, which I will save for an illness. Thank you for your very knowledgeable and prompt response!