You are a homesteader on a bit of acreage, or even a small lot in town. Ideally, you'd like to be self-contained, so you tend a vegetable garden, fruit trees and raise various livestock animals. With the rising costs of grain and fuel, soon enough the cost to feed those few animals is more than you spend on your groceries! But, growing your own livestock feed seems impossible, impractical at best. An image of vast acres under cultivation and monstrous machinery milling about fills your mind.
With the changing demographic of homesteaders, field crops aren't an option. Most, however, are already quite familiar with vegetable gardening. With just your existing garden almost anyone can grow something to at least supplement the feed of a few healthy, productive animals. You're even that much farther ahead if you organically grow open-pollinated varieties.
Getting Started You're probably already garden for animals, to some extent, without even realizing it. When you pull weeds or thin vegetables, you toss them to the chickens or rabbits. While preparing meals, you save the fresh scraps for the hens. When canning or freezing the harvest, the waste goes to the pigs. The stripped sweet corn stalks are given to the cows. After the harvest, you let the chickens or pigs finish cleaning up the beds, tilling as they go. And, what gardener/animal raiser hasn't snatched a few carrots or snap peas for the goats? It really is that easy- simply plant extra of what you already grow in order to feed practically any animal on your homestead!
If you're just laying out your garden and space is limited, try Permaculture, "Square Foot Gardening" by Mel Bartholomew, French intensive, or even a combination. Whatever works for you. Raised beds are easiest to maintain. Beds about 4' x 4' mean not having to reach any more than 2' from any side. Many different materials, salvaged or new, can be used to build the beds. Or create a berm with organic materials, think curves and waves. Lay out paths using a minimum of space, like the veins in a leaf. If your established garden is laid out in rows, space them closer together. There's no need to waste space wide enough to drive a horse or tractor through; this wastes water and compost and you'll have to weed more empty area. These methods will allow you to grow five-ten times as much in the same space!
Heavy mulching will reduce watering and tending needs. Remember to use simple compost and manure teas periodically to give the plants a burst of vital nutrients. Know your weeds, too. Don't waste time and energy pulling useful weeds that can be harvested for food or medicine, welcome them into your garden! Use collected rainwater and grey-water from washing dishes with mild, biodegradable soap, hand water or water with soaker hoses laid beneath the mulch. Encourage beneficial insects. For unwanted pests, chickens, ducks and wild birds are great!
What to Grow Keep in mind the idea of duel-purpose crops to grow. If you have enough land, field corn is as easy to grow as sweet corn. Leave the ears on the stalks to dry, and then pick. Husk the ears. Store the ears in a dry, well-ventilated, rodent-proof area. Old time farmers say that corn stored on the cob is better quality. Dry corn is easy enough to shell, done little by little makes the job manageable. Tall corn can create a micro climate for other plants needing partial shade or protection from winds.
There are root crops. At one time mangles, or stock beets, were a staple feed for dairy cattle. Potatoes were once common feed for rabbits, especially in winter. Turnips and carrots are favorites among shepherds. Jerusalem artichokes, also known as sun choke or sun root, have long been touted as livestock feed. Most animals, including humans, like the tuberous roots; cows, sheep and goats enjoy the stalks and leaves.
Sunflower seeds are relished by rabbits and chickens just as readily as wild birds. Goats benefit from the stalks. Even the flower petals are a nice treat for rabbits! Simple sunflower sprouts are packed with nutrients. Grown anytime in an inexpensive plastic container, they can be fed once they have their true set of leaves. Sunflowers and Jerusalem artichokes provide wind protection, block unwanted views and create micro climates. Kale, celery, pumpkins and their seeds, the outer leaves of cabbage, cauliflower and brussel sprouts, and fallen fruit are all wholesome food for many animals.
Alternative Crops Common cereal grains, such as oats, wheat, and barley are rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, as well as high in moisture content. These can easily be grown in standard-size garden beds: scatter the seeds by hand, cover with a light layer of compost or tamp with a rake as with lettuce and radish seed. If you only have a few animals, plastic tubs can again be utilized to grow a luscious crop of grains year-round. Why not have a few tubs, in various stages of growth, growing at once! Harvest when the grasses are 4" high, continuing until it begins to look scraggly. Our hens love Red Clover sprouts!
Another 'crop' as old as the hills, but hardly thought of today except by herbalists, is hedgerow herbs. Imagine livestock moving through the hilly countryside whilst peacefully grazing on the wild plants in the fields and hedgerows. Herdsmen of centuries ago and nomadic peoples today, rely heavily upon this widely, and freely, available means of feeding their stock. This category includes: comfrey, dandelion, plantain, nettles, raspberry leaf, borage, chickweed, red clover and yarrow, to name only a few. Many are winter-hardy perennials, high in protein, vital nutrients and medicinal properties, cut-and-come-again wild plants requiring minimal care. These are not only excellent food, but can be fed as supplements to the regular diet to correct illness or imbalance. They can be fed fresh or dried, if stored correctly so as not to develop mold. Edible flowers like cornflower, lavender, red rose petals and marshmallow have their place in the diet, too! Utilize the space under trees and along hedges. Many of these wild hedgerow plants can be of benefit to our beloved pets, also- dogs, cats, pet birds (like our little Lovebird).
As you can see, we have barely scratched the surface of this subject. From here, the sky is the limit! It is up to you to learn about animal nutrition before you begin. Make changes gradually; use common sense; and watch your animals carefully for any changes in condition. Health to you and your entire homestead!
