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Duckweed for bird fodder
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Duckweed for bird fodder
I, am a self-proclaimed bird brain. I have chickens (of course), quail, and the newest addition of ducks. I have a pond. (Quarter acre, not huge)
While I have heard about comfrey as a livestock feed that is protein-rich (great treat for the birds), I found something else! You know the permaculture phrase, the solution is in the problem? Well, read on and check this out! (I’m so excited!)
IF YOU HAVE QUAIL, you know the task of finding baby food, because the protein content needs to be 25-30%, which is more than any chicken feed. I am told that turkey starter works, but in ANY farm store (that sells turkey poults) I have never ever ever found turkey starter. Someone please answer this…. life’s persistent questions.
So, I have an abundance of duckweed in the pond, which in years past, I have gone to war with. The chemicals to kill duckweed are EXPENSIVE. And you have to get every single teeny tiny duckweed sprayed, which is a physical impossibility, with the cat tail interstices. I don’t have a great way to sieve it out, besides old window screen and a pool skimmer. But I have some time and my labor is worth bags of feed later. I have old feed bags to store it, once it is bone dry. The ducks and quail would use it in the off season.
I am just so happy to go get dirty and smell like frog juice. This is a renewable resource that will save money on the front and back end (herbicide reduction and animal fodder)
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7 Replies
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I love this idea. I too have a large-ish pond. I shall look into doing this. Thanks for the idea!
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Duckweed can completely take over a pond and prevent any sunlight from penetrating the water especially a still water pond without a vigorous spillway. The stuff can get out of hand and while a little duckweed on the water is pretty a lot of duckweed can be a problem.
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It is a wonderful food source. You can also grow Azolla in the same areas. There are many duck weed groups that know how to use this resource. As you mention, it is high in protein. I would think combing this with black soldier flies would be a win / win for your chickens or ducks or compost heap.
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Just about going to get started with some for our chickens, small kind but can not find the big size one in our area.
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I’m a bit envious of duckweed success.
I tried to grow duckweed, for duck feed and mulch, in my stock tank. The ducks loved it! The goldfish, that I used for mosquito control, loved it also. The duckweed couldn’t keep up with the goldfish appetite. LOL!! Fortunately, the duckweed came from a large pond and didn’t cost anything but a little effort to harvest. If you can grow enough of this plant, you have my respect.
Still, hope springs eternal and I will likely try again next time I have a water source in which to grow it. Best wishes to you all. 😊
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Just this weekend I saw a post about duckweed and chickens. I was like you. Been at war with it for over a year.
Do you think it has to be dried to feed it to them? I was under the impression that I scoop it out and go straight to the chicken area and just throw it in.
Do you have any info on smart weed for chickens? Or any animal for that matter. I have several
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