Greens for chickens
I have been wondering/worrying about getting more greens for my chicken for the winter. In the past, you mentioned putting alfalfa in hot water to soften. So, I was thinking of buying a bale and trying that. Then I had alfalfa pellets misdelivered to my car at the farm store and was wondering if my chickens could eat those. Then you mentioned,”even alfalfa meal soaked in boiling water” as a way to get greens all winter long. My farm store doesn’t stock meal, only pellets. Do you think I could soak the pellets for my chickens? I am also intrigued by the growing of fodder in the latest issue. What I don’t know is how much for a flock of 30 chickens, in pellets or fodder, per day or in a week? Can you give me a ballpark?
Erica Kardelis
Helper, Utah
Yes, you can use alfalfa pellets in place of meal. My grandfather used to use the fines off of the barn floor to soak. (Fines are the pieces of alfalfa leaves left over when you open a bale.) Growing fodder is fine as long as you make your own rack, as shown, and have a warm place to grow it. It does take a certain amount of floor space that many of us in colder climates don’t have — heated floor space at that. If you give your chickens 3# of soaked alfalfa leaves, meal, or pellets per day or about ¼ of a tray of fodder, they should do great. Some chickens eat more, some less so you’ll have to judge for yourself. — Jackie
Pitted pressure canner
I have an old pressure canner that was very dirty and had liquid left in it for who knows how long. I washed it up. The mirror polish is gone on the lid and the canner itself has some gray spots and maybe pitting. Is it safe to use?
Betty
Dothan, Alabama
Your canner should be fine provided that the pitting is not deep. My old huge canner sure looks terrible inside due to discoloration and pitting from decades of use but is certainly usable and I’m sure yours is too. — Jackie
Hopi Pale Grey squash seeds
Since reading your rave review on the Hopi Grey squash I have been searching for seed. None of the seed catalogs, including Baker Creek have the seeds available. Do you have any other ideas where I might be able to get a few, or do you have some you might be willing to share? I would be really appreciative if you would. Also, having been raised partially in the south and by southern parents and grand parents, I have some very interesting home remedies for everything from bugbites to intestinal worms, that I would share with you.
Billie Willis
Kooskia, Idaho
Keep watching the blog. Very soon, our mini seed business will be announced and we’re going to have a great supply of Hopi Pale Grey squash seeds as well as some others that are our favorites on the homestead. And the prices will be very fair.
I’m always interested in home remedies and I’m sure others are too. Why don’t you write in about them and share with us? — Jackie
We just started growing fodder. Set it up with 8 trays in our bathroom. Took a bit of trial and error but our homemade system is working great and the chickens, ducks, and pigs love it. We are getting a bit over 200# of fodder for 50# of wheat. It comes out to under 8 cents per pound of feed.
Jackie….sending my order today. Who-hoo!!!! I still have quarts and quarts of green beans to eat but I can’t wait to plant more. I must have the “canning crazies” heehee
I’m also looking forward to your seed business. :)
Jackie, I can’t wait until your seed business is up and running! I will definitely be a customer. I want to try the Hopi squash, and will send as much business as I can your way. I can’t wait to grow things from your seeds!
Baker Creek has Hopi Grey Squash seed available again. I got their email January 3 saying it was available again. I ordered and should receive tomorrow.
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