free, sustainable chicken feed

[Guest guest]

I think there are a few in this group that have chickens so I thought I would

share some info about duckweed.  Duckweed is that green covering that you see

covering so many small, fertile ponds and lakes this time of year through the

fall.  It is not an algae but tiny green plants in a kidney bean type shape.  It

is said to be the fastest growing plant on earth, able to double its mass every

24 hrs. 

It is also incredibly nutrient dense.  In addition to a wide variety of

vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants, it is 1% calcium and 30-50% protein (dry

weight) and it has a amino acid profile that rivals beef.   It is a primary

protein source in many parts of the world for all manner of livestock and even

people groups.  I am lucky enough to have a pond on my property in fertile peat

ground.  I free feed the duckweed that grows on it to my chickens throughout the

growing season and dry it as a supplement for winter.  I collect it with a long

handled net with a fine mesh bag designed to clean pools.  My chickens love it

and use it for about a third of their diet.  Egg production remains steady and

the quality of eggs in terms of membrane strength, yolk color and shell

thickness.  As an added bonus, a variety of little critters and bugs are found

living in the duckweed.  The girls really love that.

To give you an idea how productive just a small pond can be (my pond is only

about 1,000 square feet), I harvest about a heaping wheelbarrow every day and

don't even put a dent in it.

Most people consider duckweed a nuisance and would be glad to let someone

harvest it.  Just be careful since those small ponds tend to collect run off. 

You would not want to feed duckweed from a pond contaminated with chemicals from

run off.

Gene

[Guest guest]

Gene, you're pretty awesome, we're going to have to sit down for a cup of your

coffee and chat, if you're so inclined, my treat lol!

_______________________________________

We rely on foraging for most of our chicken's needs, with a very small organic

grain supplement. But we're looking at putting in a few ponds around the farm,

so we'll have to get some duckweed in there when the time comes, thanks for the

info!

[Guest guest]

Gene, you're pretty awesome, we're going to have to sit down for a cup of your

coffee and chat, if you're so inclined, my treat lol!

_______________________________________

We rely on foraging for most of our chicken's needs, with a very small organic

grain supplement. But we're looking at putting in a few ponds around the farm,

so we'll have to get some duckweed in there when the time comes, thanks for the

info!