(Photograph = Duroc show pig)
Introduction
Opuntia is sometimes fed to livestock as a forage substitute. Prickly pear cactus has been utilized as a forage substitute for cattle and other grazing livestock in South Texas and Northern Mexico for centuries. The pads are singed with fire to remove spines; or spineless varieties are employed. The pads are shredded or chopped and added to regular feeds. Cattle, goats, and sheep have been reported to consume Opuntia in this way. One study reported on pigs fed prickly pear and the resultant effect on their behavior.
The Details
Sixty pigs were studied. They were variously fed a regular diet or one supplemented with increasing amounts of Opuntia (O. robusta). The shredded prickly pear pads were mixed with their feed (5% to 15%) for over 100 days. The behavior of the pigs was recorded by video from days 100 to 106. The pigs fed Opuntia spent more time feeding, and they spent more time lying. Most interestingly, the pigs fed Opuntia fought less with each other. Fighting less can be a useful trait when pigs are in confined spaces because fighting can reduce weight and subsequent market value.
There were problems with the study. For one thing, the number of pigs studied seems unlikely to have provided statistically useful data. Also, the study employed castrated, male Duroc pigs in pens, and it is unclear if the results can be extended to other breeds or situations.
Additional Reading: Pigs Fed Opuntia
Additional Reading: Opuntia As Fodder
Duroc Pigs (YouTube)