Massive incoming grain and food shortages

[AGeese]

I suppose it's not different than composting or setting up for worms, at least the flies haven't been as bad this year with the cool nights.

 

[Cluckingtime]

This is an important topic.. working full time hinders me quite a bit but I have got some good ideas from you all. Thank you. I won't be buying Purina chix feed again and will look to see if Maine has a local mill. Will also start growing stuff they can eat

 

[affacat]

I certainly don't need to add to the flies out here. We have plenty of grubs and I just saw the spawn of the devil himself ...a Gigantic Black Horse Fly. I hope that thing left before it laid eggs.

Which is why I've gotten set up for red wigglers, just have been too busy to start.

That's why I recommended black soldier flies.

For those who don't know what those are, they are long and thin and almost look like a wasp. As an adult, they have no mouth (they don't eatnl, bite, or sting) and only live long enough to mate and lay eggs.

They spend most of their lives as voracious maggots. When they get old enough, the maggot darkens and seeks up and light - this means if you're farming then you can literally have them climb up a ramp and fall into a bucket.

They eat almost anything, and eat a lot, and will eat house fly eggs. As such, flies tend to stay away from areas with black soldier flies So it may reduce your fly issue.

For those interested, it's worth researching now to set up a system where you basically get a selve serve maggot delivery service.

Now, If you're doing regular flies its a lot easier since you don't need to do anything special and it's nice being able to turn some rotting leftovers into 1000 maggots.

 

[Regina Larsen]

That's why I recommended black soldier flies.

For those who don't know what those are, they are long and thin and almost look like a wasp. As an adult, they have no mouth (they don't eatnl, bite, or sting) and only live long enough to mate and lay eggs.

They spend most of their lives as voracious maggots. When they get old enough, the maggot darkens and seeks up and light - this means if you're farming then you can literally have them climb up a ramp and fall into a bucket.

They eat almost anything, and eat a lot, and will eat house fly eggs. As such, flies tend to stay away from areas with black soldier flies So it may reduce your fly issue.

For those interested, it's worth researching now to set up a system where you basically get a selve serve maggot delivery service.

Now, If you're doing regular flies its a lot easier since you don't need to do anything special and it's nice being able to turn some rotting leftovers into 1000 maggots.

How do fly maggots compare to soldier fly larva nutritionally?

 

[affacat]

How do fly maggots compare to soldier fly larva nutritionally?

I don't know? My gut says it's quantity verses quality - you can generate a ton of housefly maggots quickly, and you can just give them to chickens wholesale without a concern in the world. If they eat every single maggot, that's a win.

When im getting a black soldier fly colony going I'm always making sure I don't accidently destroy the circle of life - I want to make sure enough larva/pupa are surviving to adult... I've also read some people eat them and they're nutrient rich, but personally I'd rather convert them into eggs/chicken.

I know people have massive farms going and that they are serious composters - some people actually grab restaurant compost just to keep their backyard bsfs well fed. I'm guessing given the amount of food they eat they're much more nutrient dense than housefly maggots, but my chickens go wild for anything that wiggles. My daughter is queen of the chickens because she feeds them handfuls of maggots a day.

 

[Opiumbrella]

That's the thing. I'm sure the flies that are already here would find out.

Once they get established they DRASTICALLY cut down on housefly gnat and fruit fly populations.
https://www.dipterra.com/blog/got-bsf-say-goodbye-to-houseflies-gnats-fruit-flies

 

[Opiumbrella]

How do fly maggots compare to soldier fly larva nutritionally?

BSFL are Much better, more calcium more protein, and less infectious bacteria

 

[Regina Larsen]

BSFL are Much better, more calcium more protein, and less infectious bacteria

Ty! The infective issues are my biggest worry with maggots

 

[AGeese]

Once they get established they DRASTICALLY cut down on housefly gnat and fruit fly populations.
https://www.dipterra.com/blog/got-bsf-say-goodbye-to-houseflies-gnats-fruit-flies

I can dig that, just not flies. I have sticky traps at present in the house and just released the Mantids.

 

[luckycluk]

So we’re globally in a bad way in terms of grain and food supplies and it is only getting worse.
Been preparing for not being able to buy feed and thought some people may like to know what that looks like.
First I have set up several bsfl breeding tubs, as those are a great source of food.
Planting things like nasturtium, and cucumbers and other grazing foods for the summer, like love lies bleeding, and other major seed producers.
I’m planting millet, and will harvest that too use during the winter, as well as drying fruits and veggies to rehydrate, for them also. I’ve set up an area I can grow spinach and kale type plants all year round as well for calcium. I’m growing peanuts and black oil sunflowers for the cold months as well.
I’ve stocked up on oyster shell so that I have some calcium supplementation to offer as well. And have been stocking up on things like antibiotics/anti fungal/anti parasitic and first aid supplies for the livestock just in case. And am growing and harvesting medicinal herbs like oregano, yarrow, devils claw, calendula, marigold, etc.
Is there anyone else worrying/watching what is happening, and do you have any suggestions On keeping a healthy flock in times of crisis?

I’ve been saving up seeds from squash’s melons and a variety of veggies that I get from what I buy. I clean them and dry then label n bag. I’ve been thinking like you have. I’m not familiar with grains though. I know a old farmer that will let me get plenty of corn to save. I will have to find out how to process it. He grows feed corn, and corn humans eat. He also grows Indian corn, can chickens eat this?
Ive also been saving non perishable can goods for us along with rice, oatmeal just so we have something’s to fall back on. Better safe than sorry. I’m going to try to scrape up some cash to buy up some feed to store away in my sealable metal barrels.