Topic of the Week - "Off-grid" Feeding - Homemade feeds, etc.

[PirateGirl]

@lazy gardener

This is much on the lines of "victory gardens" in the US. US citizens were encouraged to plant gardens to help feed the population during WW1 and WW2. This was on public and private land.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victory_garden

The government went so far as to publish plans for the public outlining how to layout their garden and what plants to grow. They are designed to maximize food output from a small plot. I found this example online.

https://thehomesteadsurvival.com/victory-garden-family/

If you are running a small homestead or have an urban garden, researching victory gardens would be a great step in figuring out how to best plant a varied small plot. Most plans are designed to feed a small family on less than an acre of land.

 

[lazy gardener]

Victory style gardening is a perfect subject for this thread. The original premise is how to feed your flock "when you can't get to the feed store". But, in the back of almost every person's mind, is the what happens if a TSHTF scenario should happen. What then? How do I feed my flock, so they can continue to feed my family, and how do I feed my family??? Every one who can, should: keep a small flock, and keep a garden of what ever size suits their space, energy, and time. Learn to process your own food. Become debt free so you WILL have more resources available long term. Learn to use, reuse, and recycle.

 

[PirateGirl]

Victory style gardening is a perfect subject for this thread. The original premise is how to feed your flock "when you can't get to the feed store". But, in the back of almost every person's mind, is the what happens if a TSHTF scenario should happen. What then? How do I feed my flock, so they can continue to feed my family, and how do I feed my family??? Every one who can, should: keep a small flock, and keep a garden of what ever size suits their space, energy, and time. Learn to process your own food. Become debt free so you WILL have more resources available long term. Learn to use, reuse, and recycle.

I have had to change my mindset about gardening (which is taking research). I live in a harsh environment, and a lot of things I want to grow (like tomatoes and cucumbers) just can't be grown here. Now I am looking into what I can grow and making my picks from that list. Also, my short life as a backyard chicken keeper has been more successful than my life as a gardener. I am also looking at my upcoming garden as a way to feed the chickens who in turn feed me, instead of the garden as a way to feed me. The chickens are far less picky when it comes to vegetation they will eat than I am. I'm still doing my homework, but there may be more things I can easily grow for the chickens than grow for me to eat directly. We'll see. I'm hoping this thread continues to spark ideas. It's been great so far. People are quite resourceful.

 

[Dr.Dale]

There are no known prion diseases in poultry. So far.

Agreed, and it seems that prion diseases are hard to spot until they become very bad and widespread in a population. So it is reasonable to avoid.

We don’t feed chicken to our chickens simply because our daughter thinks it is gross. But in a SHTF scenario I would do it if needed. I don’t think I would feed them any dead zombies though!

 

[Dr.Dale]

I am also looking at my upcoming garden as a way to feed the chickens who in turn feed me, instead of the garden as a way to feed me.

I was probably going to start that way this year too. My current plan is to companion plant sunflower and field peas.

 

[AllenK RGV]

There is also the risk of prion diseases. But according to my reasearch there is no known chicken prion disease.

Yet I would see as it is observed in cows and deer, and they aren't known to cannibalize.

 

[PirateGirl]

I was probably going to start that way this year too. My current plan is to companion plant sunflower and field peas.

I have seen sunflowers growing in my area, so I should be able to grow these as well. The chickens would love them, and the ducks would love the peas. I like the way you think!

 

[Dr.Dale]

I have seen sunflowers growing in my area, so I should be able to grow these as well. The chickens would love them, and the ducks would love the peas. I like the way you think!

They are supposed to be good companions too. The sunflowers should provide vertical structure for the peas and the peas should provide nitrogen for the sunflowers.

It is all theoretical for me now. The ag extension service says to plant sunflowers in April

 

[Dr.Dale]

Yet I would see as it is observed in cows and deer, and they aren't known to cannibalize.

I will have to do some research into that

 

[AllenK RGV]

I will have to do some research into that

wasting disease in deer, and jacobs-Kreutzfiled for the cows. I'm just expecting we will find that all chordates can succumb to prion related illnesses.

edit---granted the two examples I am aware of are mammals.