Anisah David

A couple years ago I learned that the Bosnian community have long raised goldfish as "Ramadan" fish, due to their golden color -- they would serve that form of carp during Ramadan holiday meals. I'm in zone 4 and the Bosian elder I visited had set up a pond outside & a massive double filtration system in an indoor tank, for winter periods. He said the goal was to raise the goldfish to frying pan size, then harvest. He was able thus to buy simple comet goldfish from pet stores at only a few cents.

Having raised goldfish as aquarium pets, I knew the growth rate if they are given adequate space. So I can see how this would be a great choice as a meat fish. He spoke about his bafflement that Americans are so unwilling to eat goldfish, pointing out they are "merely gold colored carp". I explained that in many parts of this country carp and catfish of any kind are assumed to be "trash fish". Stupid on the part of the Americans really. We eat Pork and it eats pretty nasty things if given the opportunity & so do chickens... so why the attitude toward carp?

My husband was raised along the Mississippi and there catfish is eaten. I was raised in Colorado where catfish are seen as a "trash fish". So clearly each region has created its own taboos. I for one am working toward developing myself a Ramadan Pond in my garden. Instead of bringing the fish into the house in winter, I plan on using an old ranching technique & have a water-tank heater keep my 100 gallon livestock tank ice free.

Wondering if anyone in my zone has been raising carp, other than for the European export market?

Guy De Pompignac wrote:My chickens and duck eat whole grain corn, have you some link about digestibility of whole/cracked corn by poultry, since it seems well accepted that you can feed whole corn to chicken ?

I can off hand recommend this article Poultry science, Volumes 1-2 By Poultry Science Association, American Association of Instructors and Investigators in Poultry Husbandry

But just to clarify, I'm not saying you can't feed it. I'm saying its hard for them to digest unless fully. That is true of many animals fed whole kernel corn. The amount of energy spent trying to digest the kernels has to also be considered, in my opinion.

permaguy Hatfield wrote:Hi,

i'm designing my poultry feed system, and i want to include corn as a storable carb for winter

Is someone here growing corn for his poultry ? If so, is there a good cultivar for this purpose, and how one manages the problem of cross pollination with commercial/GM corn grown nearby ?

Does someone have some number of corn consumed by poultry by day/month in a system feed in which corn is served alone free choice (for energy), with some commercial feed served also alone free choice (for protein) ?

I'm trying to find some energy requirement for winter maintenance and number about metabolized energy for corn, but it is maybe simpler to ask for some real experience

The only problem I see with feeding corn is if you try buying it in "bulk" from a farmer. His/her corn is likely whole and its almost impossible for most animals (including humans) to digest the whole kernel corn. I live in South Dakota and corn is all around me, and I've stepped in a few cow-pies to know that it runs thru cows too with little change! So if you are going to use corn, I'd recommend getting it cracked at least. I'd recommend other grain instead, such as wheat and other small grains. I've also read that its good to rake up and bag your leaves or ask your neighbors for their bagged up leaves in the fall, then use them as bedding for the birds. Well there is a side benefit to doing this! I discovered my chickens head for any raked piles and feed on the hiding bugs who are trying to find shelter. Additionally they consume some of the leaves in the process. Since winter snow is the big problem for me, my birds have to be indoors most of the winter, so spreading leaves is done in their shed. But I also spread out my excess red worms that have over-populated themselves in my worm-casting tub. So that also adds to the chicken food supply. I also feed them scraps from the kitchen, just like my grandmother did when I was a little girl.

I haven't tried growing my own meal worms for my poultry but some say that is plausible. I rather try to use the shot gun approach for feed. Giving them a variety of grains to choose from. The one grain I find in many bird seed bags and one I find few wildlife seem to want to eat is millet. Don't know if chickens are just as picky as wild birds and wild rabbits, but its also something to consider if its available.