Would expired formula hurt pigs?

[rideaway]

I have access to expired powdered baby formula for free and am thinking about mixing it w/ pig grower when we get the pigs in March. *The pigs eat their food better when it is moistened, and I thought I'd just mix the powder in, then add water. *Probably not much calorie wise, but might add flavor, since they tend to not eat as well when we first bring them home.

What do you all think? *It shouldn't cause any problems, should it?

[Deberosa]

How old is it?

[WileyCoyote]

Expiration dates are relative. Many have a lot to do with governmental regulations, not common sense.

Most products that have vitamin or mineral supplements in them carry expiration dates that take into account that the product may have sat in a hot or moist or well-lighted atmosphere over a period of time that causes them to break down and become useless.

All of the drugs that expired on our ambulance used to be donated to veterinarians who would use them for up to two years past their expiration date with no ill effects on the animals.

Depending on the condition of storage, etc as well as the length of storage past the expiration date will determine if the product is still edible. The only thing I will not use past two years is flour - because I live in a moist area, and flour develops mold that results in a heavily-concentrated form of LSD that kills.

[Deberosa]

It makes me nuts when Kurt throws stuff out when it's only expired by a few days, weeks or even a month! You are right those dates are arbritrary. Now if it's a couple of years.... :o

[AlchemyAcres]

They're hogs, they'll relish the stuff!!!
Expiration, Schmexpiration!!!!! LOL
We used to feed 'em old sour colostrum...the older and stinkier , the better...they love the stuff!!!

~Martin
;)

[rideaway]

It's only a month old...it's good for babies, still. I guess I just meant is there any reason that the formula would harm the pigs? Additives and such?
Thanks!

[lsg]

I don't think that the formula will hurt the pigs, if you just sprinkle it over the feed. If a baby can use it, how can it harm a pig. Pigs eat a lot of rotten and nasty stuff if given the chance, so I don't think a little out of date formula is going to hurt them. I just wouldn't overdo it and give them too much at once. Sprinkle it over each feeding. I think that would give your pigs more nutrients. :)

[AlchemyAcres]

I just meant is there any reason that the formula would harm the pigs? Additives and such?

No!

~Martin

[gardenfay]

The only thing i have heard of that supposedly will hurt pigs at all is molasses.
when we lived in mn. we were having feed ground at a land o lakes feed mill.
my husband gave the man the formula we wanted to use and he asked what it was for? pigs and chickens
he said we need to clean such-n=such then because we just ground horse feed with molasses in it and it will kill pigs.
have you guys ever heard that?

but i agree; can't imagine anything in baby formula that would hurt pigs; ive fed it in liquid form to laying hens and they loved it .
the main reason i wet stuff like this is cuz of the wind - and also to prevent any dust pneumonia

[annabella1]

I have never heard of molasses being bad for pigs, so I did a google search on it and the only restriction I found was for pot bellied pigs kept as pets, and it was a restriction of all sweet feeds. They actually use molasses to prevent anemia in baby pigs so I don't know where this information came from. I don't think expired baby formula would be harmful unless it was the only source of food. Then it might be a problem.

[_MPillow]

I used some mixed half(as directed on can)formula and half with goat milk for bottle piglets last Fall....2 years past expiration(Enfamil)....those 2 pigs did fine...we just butchered one and bred the other...and still have a can of formula left in case I have a runt or someone gives us a runt.

I think the iron and vits are good for piggies as their digestion is quite similar to humans.

[BrendaSue]

I am no expert, but my pig loves milk, so I would think formula would be great, less expensive than milk( specially if free) lol....I even throw in some sweet feed when low on leftovers and so far the only thing it seems to have done is make her bigger....

I have asked a couple of places about getting their leftovers, turns out I had to get in line, we have a lot of pig growers around....so I am mostly on my own...I would love to get some free stuff to throw in her pail....she is certainly easy to please, if all my animals was like that I would be ok..