Heritage Feeds for Heritage Breeds

[ChooksChick]

Again, there are organic nutrient supplements to be had (non-petroleum based), and perhaps your mill would be willing to get a bag if they haven't any already. Fertrell is the kind we use around here, but I know there are other companies.

We have talked about doing the meal-worm farm in our basement in cold season as a supplement, but I think the soldier flies will have to suffice and we'll freeze the excess for next winter.

In nature, they'd also eat frogs, lizards, mice, snakes, etc...so they'd get some of their vitamins and minerals from other animals having already gathered them.

 

[Jake Levi]

I considered meal worms but no room indoors and just too long of a cold season for outdoors, if I have to I will go with feeding some kinds of meat scraps. I used to get it from a small slaughter house. It did have a bit too much fat in it although they were slick, glossy and shiny.

 

[nanncee]

I forgot to mention, I also am expirementing with red wriggler worms. There is a guy locally who sells them by the lb. He claims if you get a good container going they can double in a months time. I have 2lbs going right now, have been for about 2 months. They have almost out grown the container. It's a win win because you should get some excellent worm castings when needed. I am not sure about supporting larger scale birds with wrigglers, they may not grow fast enough. But I am going to give it a shot anyways.

 

[Jake Levi]

Good luck on that Nanncee, let us know how it goes for you. I am looking for something that will work for several good sized flocks, I might have to go with local butchers scraps, if I can arrange it.

With the prices climbing like they are we all need some such help.

 

[nanncee]

I will keep you posted.

I have been doing quite a bit of research on heated beds which may increase production rates. Using cheap PID controllers and cheap heating mats for seedlings.

 

[Farmerboy16]

I have grown a few gmo-free Indian Corn in my garden, and liked how well they grew and produced. I would like to grow a lot more of them, and am wondering if I could use the Indian corn for the chicken feed instead regular corn. Is there a different nutritional and protein value between the two?

 

[nanncee]

Quote:
From my internet research, indian or heirloom corn varieties have much, much more nutrition than GMO or hybrid varieties most grown today. Especially those of darker colors. Protein included. Most modern corn has been bread to be extremely sweet, which increases sugar levels(carbs).

 

[Farmerboy16]

Quote:
From my internet research, indian or heirloom corn varieties have much, much more nutrition than GMO or hybrid varieties most grown today. Especially those of darker colors. Protein included. Most modern corn has been bread to be extremely sweet, which increases sugar levels(carbs).

Thank you so much!

From 9 corn plants, I had gotten about half a gallon of seeds.

I will plant them all in the spring. We just got a bull calf, and plan to raise it as a steer, and will feed it indian corn too, I know that soybean is not good for poultry, but are they good for cattle?

 

[ChooksChick]

Quote:
From my internet research, indian or heirloom corn varieties have much, much more nutrition than GMO or hybrid varieties most grown today. Especially those of darker colors. Protein included. Most modern corn has been bread to be extremely sweet, which increases sugar levels(carbs).

Thank you so much!

From 9 corn plants, I had gotten about half a gallon of seeds.

I will plant them all in the spring. We just got a bull calf, and plan to raise it as a steer, and will feed it indian corn too, I know that soybean is not good for poultry, but are they good for cattle?

In general, cattle aren't natural consumers of grains. The industry uses it because of the inexpense and the density of cattle on a piece of land when they aren't having to graze. Ultimately, cattle should be grazing-only.

 

[Jake Levi]

I have been using my extra Indian Corn for a long time for the chickens, they love it.

I agree, grass fed beef is the best beef. Corn fed is just fat beef, I dont want or need the fat.