2.04.2014

In Our Fridge: Chicory Greens


Chicory, also known as curly endive, has been turning up at our local market as of late. I had given the pigs a sample a year or two ago but most of them weren't impressed. On the lookout for fresh additions to their usual diet, I figured I'd pick up a batch and give it another try.

Seasonal availability: Peak season is late fall through winter but can be found year round.

How to pick: Look for sprouts with firm, crispy, brightly colored leaves. Avoid those with yellowed, wilted leaves.

Preparation: Remove from stem and wash thoroughly before feeding to your guinea pig.

Always up for trying new foods (and getting into mischief), Belka and Revy were immediate fans. Peaches and Poof also dug right in, chewing up the curly leaves with gusto. I was surprised by finicky Truffle and Abby-Roo, both of whom had apparently decided that the "new" greens were in fact quite tasty. Guess the second time's the charm!

Have your pigs tried chicory before?

9 comments:

  1. Always fun to watch. Sometimes I think they enjoy the sport of veggie thieving more than the actual food itself!

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  2. Goes down a treat here in Scotland too.

    You gotta love a piggy nose for finding fresh food, and the tug of war and stealing from another piggy!

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  3. Chickory is always a big hit here.

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  4. Hi Mandy, here you go:
    http://www.calicavycollective.com/2014/03/am-i-overfeeding-guinea-pig.html

    Hope that answers your question!

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  5. MandyChameleonStampedeApril 1, 2014 at 10:57 AM

    Thanks Alice ;)

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  6. Hi Mandy, that's a good question! Let me get back to you on that - I'll be writing a post about it soon so check back :)

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  7. MandyChameleonStampedeApril 1, 2014 at 10:57 AM

    Hi Alice! I have a food related question. We have ample food in our piggy cage at all times. But, I find that our two piggies tend to "pig out" every chance they get and we're refilling bowls and hay numerous times throughout the day. I'm not overdoing it, am I? I don't want them to get sick or something from over eating.

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  8. Alice, in your opinion, which fruits and veggies/greens are good for guinea pigs, and which ones should we stay away from?

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  9. Hi Rebecca,

    There's a handy list on GuineaLynx, complete with nutritional info here:
    http://www.guinealynx.info/chart.html

    Foods that are harmful to feed your guinea pig include:
    Meat
    Dairy products: yogurt, milk, cheese, etc.
    Allium family plants: onion, scallions, shallots, leeks, etc.
    Potatoes
    Eggplant
    Tomato stems or leaves
    Baked goods: bread, cookies, cake, etc.
    Cereal
    Avocado
    Coconut
    Hot peppers
    Mushrooms
    Peanut butter
    Nuts
    Pickled vegetables
    Coffee
    Soda
    Tea
    Houseplants (many are poisonous to guinea pigs)

    This is by no means a comprehensive list - as a general rule, when in doubt then don't feed! You can find more plants to avoid here:
    http://www.guinealynx.info/forages_poisonous.html

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