Foraging And Feed Effeciency Comparing Breeds

[mymilliefleur]

When I raised black soldier fly's, I didn't have to get starts, they came on there own to some compost we had put out. I think the chicks are fine with the larvae. Keep in mind chicks need calcium for bone growth, etc, and the bsf are not so high in calcium that it will hurt them. in fact wild birds often catch the larvae and feed them to their baby's. I chop mine and feed them to my chicks while they're in the brooder. I give them about a cup and the chicks love them.

 

[RedRidge]

When I raised black soldier fly's, I didn't have to get starts, they came on there own to some compost we had put out. I think the chicks are fine with the larvae. Keep in mind chicks need calcium for bone growth, etc, and the bsf are not so high in calcium that it will hurt them. in fact wild birds often catch the larvae and feed them to their baby's. I chop mine and feed them to my chicks while they're in the brooder. I give them about a cup and the chicks love them.

Yes chicks need a little calcium. And this need increase from chick to pullet to layer. But too much calcium as a chick can create a lot of bone and joint problems. BSF is 5-8% calcium. Much higher at the crawl off stage due to how they store calcium to pupate. The research recommendation is to avoid bsf larvae all together until at least 12 weeks of age with a gradual increase after that to pol.

 

[southernmomma]

@Arielle ....darn quotes isn't working.

This is our first year on the land so while it's not intentional plantings by us we do have several acres of what has proven to be forage for chickens; hard woods (leaf litter), bahia, white clover, pecan trees (fallen pods attract bugs), blackberries, French mulberry, persimmon, wildflowers. I too am thinking ahead to the spring and what I want to see growing. I'd like to have fruit trees started for future years but am thinking of oats, buckwheat and red clover right now.

I liked Johnny's seeds this year. plus another small company that was specific to the south, cant recall the name right now.

M

 

[Arielle]

@Arielle ....darn quotes isn't working.

This is our first year on the land so while it's not intentional plantings by us we do have several acres of what has proven to be forage for chickens; hard woods (leaf litter), bahia, white clover, pecan trees (fallen pods attract bugs), blackberries, French mulberry, persimmon, wildflowers. I too am thinking ahead to the spring and what I want to see growing. I'd like to have fruit trees started for future years but am thinking of oats, buckwheat and red clover right now.

I liked Johnny's seeds this year. plus another small company that was specific to the south, cant recall the name right now.

M

I read up on a method that combined forages with timeber, Silva_______. I liked the idea, then went out to the woods and looked at the treees. Would need a very thoughtful system as it is now a closed canopy and when opened up the trees grow quickly to fill in again. THe forages are just ferns and wild blueberries ( tall bush and short bush) and a trees that grow like a sparse bush in the understory.

I tried over seeding with white clover in a few areas that already had grass established( mostly in bare spots) but the summer drought was no help. lol Not sure if it is too late in the season to start white clover. But I'll try again in the spring.

 

[maranfarmer563]

I had geese one summer,they pulled the grass out by roots. Got rid of them and the hill all filled in with white clover. The goats love it and so do the chickens.

 

[Arielle]

I had geese one summer,they pulled the grass out by roots. Got rid of them and the hill all filled in with white clover. The goats love it and so do the chickens.

lol are u suggesting geese????

 

[maranfarmer563]

Geese do clear land,goats too

 

[islandgirl82]

Geese do clear land,goats too

Not all goats! I had a couple who spent more time trying to figure out how to get into the house and lazing about on the deck than they ever did foraging!

 

[maranfarmer563]

Mine eat briar's,thistles,poison ivy,rambling roses and any other bushes they can reach

 

[Arielle]

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