As a homesteader operating on a limited budget, I’m constantly seeking ways to maintain my animals’ health while minimizing feed expenses. Over the past few years, I’ve experimented with various cost-cutting methods, from fermenting scratch grains and sprouting fodder to collecting leftover scraps from friends. While these techniques are relatively straightforward, they still require some effort on my part.
That’s why I’m particularly fond of cultivating duckweed and water hyacinth as a nutritious feed supplement for my livestock. The best part? These aquatic plants can be grown effortlessly from the comfort of my homestead, with minimal labor required beyond regular harvesting.
Using Duckweed and Water Hyacinth as Cheap Livestock Fodder
Getting Started Growing Duckweed and Water Hyacinth
To begin growing duckweed and water hyacinth at home, you’ll need a few fundamental items: containers filled with water, natural fertilizer sources like animal manure or worm castings, tools for harvesting, and initial plant stocks of duckweed and water hyacinth. I’m intentionally vague about the specific equipment required, as once you’re underway, you can adapt to use any container that suits your needs to increase production.
When selecting containers, keep in mind that these plants thrive on the water’s surface, so a larger surface area is ideal for growing. Additionally, they draw oxygen from the air rather than the water, making circulation and oxygenation unnecessary. In fact, still or stagnant water can actually boost their growth. Wind, however, may slow production.
Shallow and wide containers work best, but feel free to repurpose items like trash cans, buckets, pots, or bulk food containers as they can also support plant growth. The plants’ ability to purify water is another key aspect: they flourish in environments where other aquatic plants struggle due to excessive nitrogen and phosphorous.
Lastly, duckweed and water hyacinth prefer warm temperatures – water hyacinth, for instance, dies below 40°F (4°C), while duckweed can survive colder climates but becomes unproductive until the temperature rises. External warmth significantly impacts their growth.
Setting Up Your Production System
Choose your location
If you have a greenhouse that remains above freezing, it’s an ideal spot for cultivating these plants. Alternatively, you can utilize sunny areas within your home or another warm space. An added benefit is that you can integrate the growing process with the same heat and lighting systems used for sprouted grass fodder or starting seeds.
However, keep in mind that separate containers are necessary, as seed starting and fodder containers are designed to facilitate drainage rather than retain water.
Choose your containers
The versatility of containers is truly remarkable, offering a wide range of creative possibilities for gardeners. In my own greenhouse, I utilize black drums and trash cans filled with water as heat sinks to regulate temperatures during the winter months. This innovative approach works particularly well for cold-season growing. As the weather warms up, I transform $8 kiddie pools into mini-gardens by setting them up in fenced areas to keep my livestock at bay.
After allowing my ducks to enjoy and play in the pool below, I secure the area and add plants, making the most of these shallow and wide containers. These affordable solutions provide a substantial growing space for just a few dollars. I also repurpose juice and cat litter containers by laying them on their sides with the lids in place. A sharp box cutter helps me cut a large opening to create a thriving growing environment. With a little creativity, you’re ready to start growing!
If you don’t have access to containers, consider reaching out to your local recycling center. Many of these organizations are struggling to find outlets for plastic processing and might be eager to provide you with free containers. This not only benefits your gardening endeavors but also supports the community’s efforts. When it comes to specific plants, duckweed thrives in small containers like teacups, while water hyacinth requires larger spaces.
Add water and natural fertilizer
When it comes to feeding these nitrogen and phosphorous-loving plants, livestock manure proves an ideal fertilizer source. For those with duck colonies, a unique opportunity arises: using dirty duck water from ponds or pools to grow duckweed and water hyacinth. Alternatively, simply mix one tablespoon of poultry or worm manure per gallon of water, or two tablespoons of ruminant manure, allowing the concoction to meld for a few days until it reaches a brackish consistency.
Fear not the imprecision – these plants exhibit remarkable tolerance ranges, permitting adjustments to be made as needed. If growth slows, simply dilute with more water or boost fertilization by adding more manure.
Add your duckweed and water hyacinth to your container
When it comes to introducing plants into your brackish water, you’re spoiled for choice. Consider reaching out to local pond owners or online aquatic plant suppliers to source free or low-cost plants. Just be mindful of any regional restrictions on certain species, as some can become invasive if not properly managed.
For water hyacinth, a minimum of three to four parent plants are required for successful reproduction in your container.
For larger setups like kiddie pools, aim for six to eight plants to accelerate the process.
Duckweed, on the other hand, requires about one-fifth of the surface area covered with plants to get started. If you don’t have enough plants to fill all containers at once, start by populating one and gradually transfer new growth to your other containers as they reproduce.
It’s not uncommon for duckweed populations to explode quickly – I recall starting with just a cup of duckweed and ending up covering the surface of a 3500-gallon pond in just a few months! My feathered friends, the chickens and ducks, certainly appreciated the bounty that year.
Harvesting and Feeding of Your Livestock
When it comes to harvesting water hyacinth and duckweed, you’re in luck – almost any sieve or strainer will do. For larger containers, sink colanders can be a big help when speed is important.
Just remember to leave some of these aquatic plants behind to ensure they continue reproducing. A good rule of thumb is to set aside at least 3-6 water hyacinth and around one-fifth of your duckweed harvest.
When it comes time to feed your ducks, simply toss the harvested plants into their pond or pool and watch them enjoy their snack. Chickens, on the other hand, prefer the taste of water hyacinth – they’ll devour those first before moving on to the duckweed. You can dispense the harvested plants to chickens as you would with other fresh greens.
Pigs can be fed the harvested aquatic plants as part of their normal feed mash. Goats, however, require a bit more care.
Be sure to drain off any excess water from your harvest and introduce the plants gradually – some goats may take time to develop a taste for them. To encourage your goats to try these new greens, consider adding molasses to the mix.
For ruminants like cows, goats, and sheep, it’s generally recommended to dry and ferment the harvested aquatic plants before mixing them with molasses for improved palatability and digestibility.
If you want to use these plants as more than 10% of your ruminant’s diet, this step is essential.
While I’m not an expert on rabbits, I’ve heard that they also enjoy both water hyacinth and duckweed – so feel free to add these to their menu as well.
Maintenance and Trouble Shooting
When harvesting your plants, be prepared for the water in your systems to evaporate and decrease. To maintain a healthy environment, periodically top off your containers with a mixture of water and manure, using the same formula you established initially (refer to point 3). This will help sustain the growth of your plants. The reproduction rates of these plants are influenced by three primary factors: fertility, heat, and light.
If your plants lack deep, rich coloring, they may be lacking in fertilizer. To address this, if your plants appear pale, you can add a bit more manure to your next batch of fertile water, as the richness of manure can vary. If your plants are dying, it’s likely due to insufficient water or cold temperatures. In cases where cold is not the primary cause, adding fresh, plain water should help revive them.
On the other hand, if cooler temperatures are indeed the issue, you may need to introduce a heat source to stimulate production. It’s worth noting that these plants don’t require full sun, but increased light exposure can significantly boost production rates. If fertility and heat aren’t the primary concerns, supplementing with more light might also help elevate reproduction rates.
Cautionary Warnings
When introducing aquatic plants like water hyacinth into your animal’s diet, it’s essential to do so gradually and allow them time to adjust. While there may be some toxicity concerns, particularly for horses, cats, and dogs, further research is necessary before using these plants as a feed source. Ensure you comply with local regulations regarding the cultivation of such plants for animal consumption.
Moreover, due to their highly productive nature, refrain from introducing them into uncontrolled environments like public water bodies. If you decide to discontinue cultivating these plants, remove them from your water supply, allow them to fully dry, and dispose of them through composting or controlled burning. Interestingly, these plants are also edible for humans; however, it’s crucial to properly compost manure before using it to grow these plants, just as you would in a vegetable garden.
