Homegrown feed

[Dfarago]

I have Muscovy ducks, will be getting a pig in the near future, and am getting ready to start planting crops for them. (We also wanted to get chickens but there is a current poultry quarantine) were intending to grow corn for the pig but what other plants can I grow for my feathered friends? Because Muscovys are bigger then average ducks three need a higher protein intake. Any suggestions?

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

What about Alfalfa?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Lettuce would be a good crop, but Muscovy love bugs so they will also keep the bug population down around any crops you plant. My Muscovy's love corn too I just limit how much I give them don't want females who lay eggs to get over weight. which can cause egg laying problems.

 

[chickens really]

Gourds, lettuce and herbs

 

[Cyprus]

Aren't Muscovy poultry? According to the USDFA regarding the quarantine, poultry refers to all domesticated and semi domesticated fowls. Which includes Muscovy.

So in theory, you shouldn't be bringing them in.

 

[CountryFried]

The Resilient Gardener recommends potatoes and squash (winter squash). I've planted a variety of herbs from Fresh Eggs Daily, some zucchini and yellow squash, corn, and lots of other veggies. Will be doing a couple beds of salad greens/herbs/kale/etc just for the ducks and geese. Think I'm going to try one specific bed with chicken wire over it for them to graze on while it grows, too. (And by planted, I have seeds started in my greenhouse, nothing in the ground yet except fruit trees and berries. Hoping to build my raised beds next week.)

 

[CountryFried]

Oh forgot to say I have duckweed in a kiddie pool, too. Just got it Friday but I think it has multiplied some.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Where did you get your duck weed?

 

[CountryFried]

Where did you get your duck weed?

I got it off eBay from a seller who claims to be organically grown with no snails in a greenhouse. Not sure impressed with his shipping, but maybe that the best way. He shipped it in a wet paper towel so it all kinda stuck and when I tried to put it in the water more kept clinging to the paper towel than went in the water . But it hasn’t died and I do think it’s multiplying so I guess it doesn’t matter that I lost some on the paper towel. He sent a bonus fern looking thing, so I threw it in the pool, too.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks I was looking at it on eBay. Wonder if the paper towel and all went into the pond if the duck weed would eventually get off?