How to Feed Pigs Acorns

The food that a pig eats greatly affects the subsequent taste of its fat and meat. Some of the most expensive pork and ham come from pigs fed on acorns. The high tannin levels in the acorns are believed to lead to the unique taste of Iberico ham, said to be as complex as a mature wine. Acorns are also a good source of fiber, complex carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Pigs love acorns, which have the added bonus of being free and environmentally sustainable.

Things You'll Need

  • Tree identification book
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Find local oak trees and identify them using a tree identification book. This is easier in the spring when the leaves are not too dense. Some trees produce acorns with more tannin than others. The Emory oak found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico is low in tannin, as is the swamp oak, the burr oak and the Oregon white oak.

    • 2

      Collect acorns between late September and October. The exact number will depend on how many pigs are being fed and the percentage of acorns in their diet. The pigs owned by the La Quercia Company are fed a diet containing 60 percent acorns from September through to their slaughter in December. Bear in mind that high percentages of acorns in a pig's diet may outstrip the amount of free acorns available. Organic store-bought acorns can be expensive.

    • 3

      Feed the acorns to the pigs twice a day. Ensure that the pig's diet is supplemented with a balanced compound feed so that it gets all the nutrients it requires. If a pig consistently rejects the acorns, try collecting from a different type of oak tree.