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Barnyard Buddies:  Root crops for feed  |
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Megan
True Blue Farmgirl
155 Posts
Megan
Hudson
South Dakota
USA
155 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 29 2011 : 09:37:10 AM
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Does anyone use root crops like beets for feed? How do you prepare it/ feed it? what kind of animals can it be feed to?
I was looking in the Bakers Creek seed catalog and seen beets and carrots that used to be used for livestock feed.
www.rockriverexoticsandkennel.net |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Dec 29 2011 : 4:56:39 PM
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hi megan, we use a LOT of produce here on our place. so i have exp. with root crops. we milk jerseys raise pigs chickens turkeys rabbits beef. we receive 4 to 6 bins of produce every other day here. every one eats sorted produce. we go through the cans. no one eats onion few eat egg plant no one eats garlic on purpose but are fed full clumps hidden in bananas. so with our goats and cows with 4 stomachs we are very careful. they do get more than they really should. but it is potato, beet, turnip, oranges bananas melons carrots tomatoes. we try to feed all apples smashed for choking reasons. i do have one calf who chokes on plum tomatoes. go figure. i have seen her do it 4 times too many. so what the food looks like matters. we are forced to feed more than might be best.because there is so much and hay is so expensive. we also get sprouted barley from a brewer. we are not sure how long this will last. the barley i mean. they are slowing down. the produce will keep coming. papa is off work. we have all this free from a food chain. we pick up 3 to 4 times a week. it is insane the amount of food. our friend down the road rescues goats. she has over 50 that will get to live there till they die. she comes and helps separate food. it is a lot of work BUT FREE FOOD. we feed hungry families too. so chopping is good. i do not peel any thing. so they eat skin and all. right now this pick up there was over 75 pounds of bananas. banana bread anyone. happy days to you. i think it is a great idea to grow beets etc. for your stock. you could also ask stores if they have any extra produce they would share. we feed each animal according to what is ok for there diet. i hope this is not to long a reply but i think thinking out side the box to feed your stock is commendable. maybe check some beer places too. sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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batznthebelfry
True Blue Farmgirl
1257 Posts
Michele
Athol
Ma
USA
1257 Posts |
Posted - Dec 30 2011 : 08:41:08 AM
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Beets are great for chickens raw, cut up in their feed with the tops even if the tops look horrible...you can also throw a pile of them in a pot on the stove with water or in the oven to cook..I like this cause you can divide it up for them to have on the really nasty days in their feed...just remember to never dump the water...its good for them as well......if you ever do potatoes remember to peel them for the chickens...toxic to them......pigs love beets raw or cooked.......Most animals will eat any veg you put out for them whether its cooked or raw.......mainly horses/mules like greens & sweet vegs like carrots/beets/cut up sweet potatoes...goats love cabbages, lettuces, carrots, tomatoes,beets, green beans..........sheep like the greens best but like things mixed with their feed like chopped up carrots, green beans, peas & pea pods...pigs will eat everything if its cooked it seems...lol...guess thats why they are called pigs...........chickens,ducks, turkeys & geese love corn meal mush, greens, carrot/beet tops...just remember with geese & ducks they really need their food really wet so they can swallow it.....I am sure this is more than you needed to know..but if you know me I will go beyond to be helpful...:)....Michele'
Chickens rule!
The Old Batz Farm
Hen #2622 |
Edited by - batznthebelfry on Jan 01 2012 8:03:12 PM |
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Megan
True Blue Farmgirl
155 Posts
Megan
Hudson
South Dakota
USA
155 Posts |
Posted - Dec 31 2011 : 09:01:59 AM
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thanks that helps i wasnt sure. trying to find ways to get rid of gm crops that i feed to animals that i will be using for milk eggs and meat, or st least most of them.
www.rockriverexoticsandkennel.net |
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Barnyard Buddies: Root crops for feed |
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Root crops for feed
