I have been working with a poultry rancher in Nigeria to develop an economical, nutritious feed for his "all natural" flocks of broilers. Everything I had studied in the past and everything I post here and in the YOUTUBE videos is based on traditional grains in a feed. I have done this because so very many that find my "stuff" are backyard poultry people and not moderate to large growers. Therefore many just want something easy that is nutritious. Lately though, I get a lot of interest about alternatives!
While I cannot find any real problems with GM feeds in the mainstream, there are still a large number who do not want to use them due to fringe media and reports. Also, there is the monopoly factor with 2-3 multi-national agribusinesses controlling 95% of our feed supply........ so.....
I am going to share my research and new education about potential, alternative feeds with all of you, as well as create a new video about the possibilities. In these, I will cover growing insects, sustainable fodders where you will NOT have to keep buying seed to grow and alternative vegetable protein sources.
What I will NOT cover is fodder systems, because they require ongoing purchases of seed, sprouted seed, as it is more labor intensive than insect farming and more apt to spoil and fermented feed, which while nutritious, I consider a passing fad.
But what will be in my information will help us all and those interested in fodder, sprouting & fermenting can find really good articles about these in many other places. So it will be about a week before I get all this together.... watch for the post!
I am all over alternate feeds! I have been experimenting with feeds without soy or corn. I am just not ok with them (political opinion). Anyway, I have had good results with a wheat, oat, pea base feed but I will admit I think there is room for improvement with layers. My current mix is 1 part wheat, 1 part oats, .5 part peas, premix as instructed salt (notice is difference with feathers without) and during the rainy nasty months I add oregano and other herbs as a natural parasite protection. I live in South Louisiana so there is always parasite pressure. The good thing is my birds can roam all year 'round. This mix works great on my chicks and so far for my mail ordered hybrid meat birds (Freedom Rangers). I know you are a soy based feeder but any insight or thoughts would be appreciated!
ReplyDeleteJessi, I did not see this until now! Being in Louisiana, you do have options besides soy, which I only use because it was the only high vegetable protein grain available and I don't have any aversions to it, until the entire country boycotts Monsanto, etc.
ReplyDeleteYou can add shelled peanuts, or "low grade" peanuts that you crush. Plant Moringa trees and feed the leaves to them and yourself. Shrimp and crayfish heads are great as well. Finally, fish guts are good, so long as you remove them daily. Day old fish guts, shrimp & crayfish heads can then be put in maggot traps to attract the flies in the area to lay their eggs and thus maggots in your traps. Your birds will hang out under the traps, waiting for maggots to drop!
However, your mix seems to be fine as is!
I have been toying with the idea of raising fish for my girls. I keep koi and goldfish in my waterers as mosquito control and read that they are an edible fish for humans and in fact are eaten in Asian countries. I am worried about the long term affects though because I haven't seen any reason by others on this and fish isn't a natural food. But then corn and most things we feed them aren't their natural food. Also toying with the idea of raising mice for them after seeing how nuts they go over a field mouse. Any thoughts?
ReplyDeleteOh and yes chickens love crawfish!!! after very heavy rains we have babies come out on the mud and it is so funny. The races will go on and on until they are just to pooped to run and one of the smarter ones will come and take the spoils
ReplyDeleteFish, crustaceans, frogs and yes, mice ARE all natural foods for chickens. The wild chickens, or semi-wild Aseel chickens all forage for anything they can eat. Lower protein in the diet for them and anything, will result in less body mass, but if they get enough protein, they thrive.
ReplyDeleteIn my travels in SE Asia, I have eaten many tiny fish. Without them, the people would not have a decent diet. The only worry I would have about marine animals, would be if they were raised in water that carried pollutants that their meat could absorb. From a clean water source, I have been highly recommending using fish offal and fish as a protein alternative.
Thanks. I am going to one day add a pond in the back but I wouldn't count on that being clean. Run off from surrounding lawns and cane fields flows much further than people realize. Plus birds and outside animals pollute the heck out of water. I am thinking about turning my waterers into a aqua filtering system with plants and good algae because there are a lot of these things that can survive as perennials here. It would be nice to get it big enough to keep the ladies in fish during winter. As always I love picking your brain! Thanks. I am on limited funds and limited local experience with these 'crazy hippy ideas' so this blog and some others are a God sent.
ReplyDeleteI would worry more about heavy metals than ag runoff. My ducks just LOVE to crap in fresh water, but no one has died from it so far! Use care when getting involved in aquaponics, it is more time and money consuming than you think!
DeleteWe know about "limited funds"! On my YOUTUBE channel (http://youtube.com/ecoranchusa), I have a donate button and am about to post a video asking for donations to help finish this project. Social Security isn't covering it all!
Maybe look into pond Iris. I don't know if they grown well in your area put I would think so as long as you keep them wet. They are used to pull heavy metals out of water. I have heard the best for this are Yellow Flag.
ReplyDeleteYou are very right about the aquaponics costing money. sometimes cheap oversees pretty around here!
Also you should do a video, it seems you have a pretty good following. If you request small amounts I think you would get a good response! Merry Christmas