Awwww! I've been wanting sheep for a while. Our last attempt at sheep ended badly due to coyotes. But sheep are a great companion animal to poultry and cattle. So far we only have poultry here again ...
Developing the grass in your yard for increasing free ranging nutrition
- Thread starter Beekissed
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #92
LGDs make the difference to keeping livestock safe and I would never have attempted it at all without them. My dog, Jake, loved the sheep and my dog Lucy was protective but not much in love with them. Both dogs alerted us when the sheep went into labor, which was nice if I wanted to get them into a lambing jug.
- Thread starter
- #93
Good articles on improving pasture with seeding of legumes into tall fescue, etc.
http://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/forages/publications/ay251.htm
And another one about the comparative protein percentages of weeds, which should be a comfort for those who have many weeds and not much good grass/legumes pasture:
http://www.caes.uga.edu/commodities/fieldcrops/forages/documents/GC9502.pdf
http://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/forages/publications/ay251.htm
And another one about the comparative protein percentages of weeds, which should be a comfort for those who have many weeds and not much good grass/legumes pasture:
http://www.caes.uga.edu/commodities/fieldcrops/forages/documents/GC9502.pdf
We have a knowledge gap with respect to the forage plants referred to above. We do not know how well they are consumed although chickens do eat a lot of legumes used as hay and forage for ruminants. We also do not know how available the nutrients (protein in particular) are in the legumes and weeds specifically to chickens. Some might be better than others.
- Thread starter
- #95
I've not found any articles or gov't studies done on forage specific to chickens. In the absence of studies or specific knowledge, one has to go on anecdotal results. I've seen the results in my own flocks on planting more legumes among the tall fescues and other pasture grasses I've found at the places I've resided...more grazing on the part of the bird, more fat stored, more available winter grazing opportunities due to the WDC still maintaining green tenderness compared to the other grasses available. I've seen my flock out in the snow, grazing on the WDC in the garden, pics below.
In the end, one can read all the studies they wish but if it doesn't work in your own backyard it's only so much data. I use my flocks and my own yard/pasture as a test lab and though that might not be enough for those wanting hard and fast double blind studies, it will have to do. It works for me and the only way one can tell if it will work for them is to actually try it.
In the end, one can read all the studies they wish but if it doesn't work in your own backyard it's only so much data. I use my flocks and my own yard/pasture as a test lab and though that might not be enough for those wanting hard and fast double blind studies, it will have to do. It works for me and the only way one can tell if it will work for them is to actually try it.
I've not found any articles or gov't studies done on forage specific to chickens. In the absence of studies or specific knowledge, one has to go on anecdotal results. I've seen the results in my own flocks on planting more legumes among the tall fescues and other pasture grasses I've found at the places I've resided...more grazing on the part of the bird, more fat stored, more available winter grazing opportunities due to the WDC still maintaining green tenderness compared to the other grasses available. I've seen my flock out in the snow, grazing on the WDC in the garden, pics below.
In the end, one can read all the studies they wish but if it doesn't work in your own backyard it's only so much data. I use my flocks and my own yard/pasture as a test lab and though that might not be enough for those wanting hard and fast double blind studies, it will have to do. It works for me and the only way one can tell if it will work for them is to actually try it.
I do exactly as you say with respect to observations and it is common knowledge among gamefowl enthusiast that access to green forages is advantages. I would just like to be able to say with more authority based on controlled studies that it works and specifically why. This makes extrapolation between locations more likely to be done properly. Otherwise what works for you and I may not work for someone else making so there is a lack of agreement and mutual understanding.
- Thread starter
- #97
Agreed. But we can wish in one hand and pour peas in the other while we wait for that to happen... or we can start a discussion here on this forum that gets others to explore the possibilities in their own backyards so they can experiment in their own place and time. The fact is, unless free range pasture based poultry becomes efficacious on a commercial level, no agricultural studies are likely to happen on the benefits and gains made by chickens on managed pasture.
Until then, those that have tried it can share with those who would like to and they can choose to take the information as is, or leave it behind...their choice. No one is forcing anyone to plant this or that in their yard. I'm simply showing what is happening in my free range flock when the typical yard grass is augmented by the introduction of intentional planting of legumes and tall fescue. I have no proof that those grasses are providing more and better nutrition for my flock other than my results and, to me, that's all that matters. Those needing more proof will have to look elsewhere to find it.
Until then, those that have tried it can share with those who would like to and they can choose to take the information as is, or leave it behind...their choice. No one is forcing anyone to plant this or that in their yard. I'm simply showing what is happening in my free range flock when the typical yard grass is augmented by the introduction of intentional planting of legumes and tall fescue. I have no proof that those grasses are providing more and better nutrition for my flock other than my results and, to me, that's all that matters. Those needing more proof will have to look elsewhere to find it.
If I ever did get sheep, this is how I'd do it. I didn't even know hair sheep existed. The seem like the perfect lawn ornament.
- Thread starter
- #99
They are...and they leave the lawn looking like an England estate. Clipped to perfection all over, even the trim around the fences and buildings. I've watched them...they bite off everything but only the good parts get eaten. The rest is sorted by the tongue and shoved out the side of the mouth if not found to be to their liking. It's like having mowers that also fertilize. Plus, they are just beautiful and moochy, like big woolly dogs that love to follow you around and nuzzle your ear while you are working on fencing and such. And even more amusement than watching chickens at times...the funny things they do and get up to are priceless!
I never knew they had so much heart and intelligence until I got these hair sheep...I could write for days on what I discovered about these animals and I finally learned why they are referenced so much in the Bible. Definitely worthy of my time and money.
I never knew they had so much heart and intelligence until I got these hair sheep...I could write for days on what I discovered about these animals and I finally learned why they are referenced so much in the Bible. Definitely worthy of my time and money.
You are talking like a preacher.
Similar threads
New posts New threads Active threads
-
Threads with more replies in the last 15 days
-
