I have experimenting with our layer ration (and meat a little) and want to be soy free. We only have peas, wheat, corn and barley to work with but can`t seem to maintain a high percentage of lay. If you are using a successful soy free grain ration, what are the percentages?
We add some skim milk and a larvae bin but we are farmscale production so can`t keep up with too many side things.
Alfalfa is not predominantly GM as is corn, soy, canola and cottonseed although it is still a large percentage (I believe 30%ish). It should be fairly easy to avoid, just check the varieties.
I have not had success broadcasting into open pasture. Very little of what I spread came up. Last year I spread in front of the cows and sheep. I will see this year if it was successful. I have also heard of people adding seeds to cow feed (ex pellets or grain at milking time). It should pass through the rumen undigested and be fertilized with the cow pie. Seems brilliant! Has anyone had success with this method?
For sure Roberto, the hot air will always rise and I can't stop that other than putting a ceiling fan in but my home isn't designed around heating air but rather heating mass. I have a masonry heater with huge thermal mass, thick thermal floor and log walls. I think it will be comfortable even with a lower air temperature on the floor level. I just want a way to exhaust warm, potentially moist air from the peaks.
I can't find much info on venting indoor air when there is no forced draft heating used. We will have a central masonry heater as our heat source and most of the house is vaulted so no attic. My concern is that there will a lot of stagnant air at the peaks of the ceiling if no vents are put in. Yet I can only find attic vents such as solar or rotary turbine.
Will these types let out too much air or look ugly from the interior? Are there any good low tech venting options for cathedral ceilings?
Roxul makes an Insulated Sheathing insulation that I used on the exterior of my foundation wall. It is made of natural basalt rock and will retain its insulative value once dried out.
As I look for a finish for my log home, I find many natural options: linseed, tung, pine rosin etc but what concerns me is maintaining a breathable finish. Does an oil finish like linseed reduce vapor permeability to a significant degree?
On an interior wood finish, I would also assume an oil like linseed would reduce hygroscopicity.
Any suggestions from experienced biological builders here on how to maintain vapor permeability and hygroscopicity of a log home?
We have a source for $12 and being autosexing we can get all hens and only as many roosters as we need. It still is quite a larger investement vs more common breeds but like you say, our breeding program will provide all future birds and possible high value chick sales.
Breeding/genetics is the most exciting part of farming for me so looking forward to it!
Hope these Bielefelders turn out as good as they are hyped up to be.
Will start with 150-200. Going to try Bielefelders (the German Uber chicken). They sound like great dual purpose giving large eggs in high numbers and a large carcass.
Would definitely be some figuring for feed etc. for layers vs. meat.
