U.S. drought fallout . . . might it affect all of our ducks?

[Miss Lydia]

the pellets I found were straight timothy grass. I already give them rolled oats as a treat each night and they love that. I was going to try growing grass in big flower pots and see if I could keep that going through the winter. Grass seed is cheap right now and i already have a house of plants. A few more won't matter. Rotate the pots so they'll have something fresh at least. Maybe some lettuce as well. Hmmm, I've got a bunch of seeds as I never did get my garden in this year.

I like to shop the produce isle at the grocery store early, sometimes you can get some decent marked down produce. I was going to get kale this past week but it was nasty looking. I am deff looking into the timothy pellets for over winter.

 

[Tivona]

Kale is a favorite of my birds. I always have a bunch of plants and its really easy to grow. A few years back I let 3 plants go to seed and I still have over a quart of seed to plant. My goose likes the stems the best and she will eat them just like a stick of celery. Everyone else likes the green leafy part. It grows for most of the winter here but really really low hard frost will still kill it. I can't seem to keep enough for them. The plants grow so slowly in winter.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Kale is a favorite of my birds. I always have a bunch of plants and its really easy to grow. A few years back I let 3 plants go to seed and I still have over a quart of seed to plant. My goose likes the stems the best and she will eat them just like a stick of celery. Everyone else likes the green leafy part. It grows for most of the winter here but really really low hard frost will still kill it. I can't seem to keep enough for them. The plants grow so slowly in winter.

I'll have to plant some next year then, I was wondering how they would like it. I had an apple yesterday to share and was biting off pieces to give to the ducks/chickens/geese well only my chickens would eat it. The only way my gander would try it is straight on the core he didn't want bites he wanted to take his own bite. Good thing they don't carry hoof and mouth since I was sharing with him.

 

[Haunted55]

Kale is a favorite of my birds. I always have a bunch of plants and its really easy to grow. A few years back I let 3 plants go to seed and I still have over a quart of seed to plant. My goose likes the stems the best and she will eat them just like a stick of celery. Everyone else likes the green leafy part. It grows for most of the winter here but really really low hard frost will still kill it. I can't seem to keep enough for them. The plants grow so slowly in winter.

I've never tried growing kale. I was thinking maybe try some corn. I don't know if they would like the young plants or not. At least if I grow it in the greenhouse I'll know it's safe for them.

I'll have to plant some next year then, I was wondering how they would like it. I had an apple yesterday to share and was biting off pieces to give to the ducks/chickens/geese well only my chickens would eat it. The only way my gander would try it is straight on the core he didn't want bites he wanted to take his own bite. Good thing they don't carry hoof and mouth since I was sharing with him.

Funny, My chickens also go nuts for apples, not the geese or ducks. I had a surplus of blueberries this year and gave them some as a treat. Nope not interested in the least. But start pulling weeds.....

 

[Miss Lydia]

I've never tried growing kale. I was thinking maybe try some corn. I don't know if they would like the young plants or not. At least if I grow it in the greenhouse I'll know it's safe for them.
Funny, My chickens also go nuts for apples, not the geese or ducks. I had a surplus of blueberries this year and gave them some as a treat. Nope not interested in the least. But start pulling weeds.....

I don't share my blueberries. I'm a bit stingy when it comes to them. Course i am still waiting on a surplus I might feel different then.

 

[JoyAnna]

Have you asked Scratch and Peck what their acceptable levels of contaminants are? Organic and non-GMO have nothing to do with aflatoxin. Mold will grow on organic corn the same as non-organic... I can get Scratch and Peck locally, too.

I just sent an email to them. Will let you know when I hear. I also asked them how far they distribute the products.

 

[Valntyn]

Thank you to everyone who has done such wonderful research and shared it with the rest of us. I'm overwhelmed with all the information I've read and changes I foresee coming...

I wouldn't have even known where to start without you folks. I look forward to learning more from/with you. Thanks so much.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'm still waiting for the Purina rep to contact me. Very frustrating. I'm glad Celtic was able to get some info from them.

 

[Amiga]

I am also grateful to everyone for pitching in to look at this and think together about how to provide for our ducks. Makes me also think about providing better for myself with what is available closer to home.

I have seen that trouble comes in many different forms to different parts of the country. Some weather forecasters are seeing indications that the northeast U.S. will be in for some extreme weather this winter. May we all be blessed with wisdom and strength, and resilience.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'm still waiting on Purina...

do you think their ignoring me? My dh is stopping by to buy a 50lb bag of FR today, I'm am anxious to hear how high it is this week.