Farming Your Own

[nminusyplusm]

If they can't be traced back to an organic property and verified as such, I lose my certifications. To regain, I would have to remove x inches of top soil from the property and wait 3 years to reapply. (Generally speaking)

Oh wow, I had no idea! Do you have to find organic straw too? That is a concern for me as there's no way I could find it. I'm just hoping that by the time my chickens are done with it, it's ok *enough* for my garden.

 

[CorvusFarm]

It turns out you CAN'T find organic straw. So you can just get straw from the feed store. Just get the higher quality bales for bedding.

The chickens do a good job of picking out the bindweed seeds from the straw. But be careful adding it to your garden. It gets everywhere. Better to compost first and break it down further.

 

[nminusyplusm]

It turns out you CAN'T find organic straw. So you can just get straw from the feed store. Just get the higher quality bales for bedding.

The chickens do a good job of picking out the bindweed seeds from the straw. But be careful adding it to your garden. It gets everywhere. Better to compost first and break it down further.

No doubt! I had to mulch with oat straw for this winter, couldn't find anything else. Now my beds have oats growing. Of course the chooks will get the oat greens and the wild birds have been enjoying what they've found in the mulch.

 

[hillbillyreefer]

Kale and Japanese Millet provide vigorous growth and regrow after being cut, they should provide a good supply of summer feed.

Non organic certified bedding shouldn’t cause much problem with your certifier as long as it’s not spread on or near areas you use to grow certified crops. Or if you plan on certifying the bird flock. Every year at inspection time my inspector asks why I don’t add the birds. My answer is always the same “too much added paperwork, for very little gain”.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

FWIW, milo is reported to be high in anti nutrients, and can actually be toxic if harvested during drought, and possibly very cold weather. Do a little research on that. That being said, I grew some: It was red broom corn, and the birds loved it. It didn't kill them! I would grow some of the same veggies you enjoy, and give the surplus to them. In the fall, birds love to eat slushy pumpkins and squash. Zucchini are an other hit.

Deep litter in the run will also cut your feed bill b/c it will attract lots of beneficial insects and worms. It will also keep pathogens in check, and give the birds healthier gut flora, thus improving your feed conversion rate.

An other diet benefit is fermented feed. That will also improve feed conversion. The fermentation process actually produces Lysine, Methionine, and B vitamins.

I would love to try wheat and barley. But, have not done so yet.

Can you dedicate some land to edible ornamentals, fruit trees and the like?

If you have not yet viewed it, do a google search for the "Back to Eden" video.

Black Soldier Fly Larvae might be a winner for you as well.

How odd that I never considered insects would be attracted to deep litter. Good to know!

 

[Sunshine Flock]

For deep litter in a large run, with the intention of creating compost, section off part of the run with a wood frame and open on one side for easy chicken access.

And there's a homesteader guy I've come across a couple of times who is growing grains and possibly corn for his flock. He wants to be able to provide all their food himself. If I find him again I'll post a link here.