HUIJIE LIU

Honestly, for me, there is no way to stay productive when it's hot.

I get my most intense work done in the early morning or late evening. During the day, I focus on lighter tasks that don't require as much concentration.

I'm a fluent Mandarin speaker and I'd be happy to help you with it.

When I was in elementary school, there was this purple plant we used to eat all the time, and it would turn our saliva bright red! It was so much fun, but I can't for the life of me remember what it was called now.

I've been using big-name feeds too, but I'm always curious about what else is out there, especially something I can control myself.

My base feed is a pellet mix that I make. It's got a bunch of grains, some bean meal for protein, and a few minerals mixed in. The key is to make sure it's a complete meal.

https://www.kawise.com/blog/how-to-make-your-own-chicken-feed-pellets

And yes, I definitely supplement! I'll toss them some greens from my garden like kale and chicory. Veggies like pumpkin or squash are also awesome additions. It just feels good to give them something fresh and homemade.

I'm a big fan of composting too. I mix their bedding and droppings with other scraps. It works out great because it helps me manage waste, and I get amazing soil for my garden in return.


My routine is simple: pellets in the morning, let them free-range, and then give them some of the fresh stuff in the afternoon. I'm really curious about that local farm feed you found. What's in it? I'd love to know!

Yes, I definitely make treats for my pets! I have two pet mice, and I love making "hamster mash" for them. I found a great recipe online and it's super satisfying to know exactly what they're eating.

I got my recipe from this site, it's pretty simple to follow:
https://www.hamstersociety.sg/hamster-care-blog/2020/7/13/the-hamazing-hamster-porridge-recipe

My advice: don't let them out unsupervised until they've been spayed or neutered. Kittens are just too vulnerable.

The best approach is to keep them in a secure space inside the barn for now. A large dog crate works well. Once they're old enough for surgery, get them fixed through a local TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) program if you have one. These are often low-cost or free, and are key for barn cat management.

Once they've recovered from the surgery, you can slowly acclimate them to the barn life. The main goal is for them to see the barn as home, that's how they'll become great mousers.

Good luck with your new cat family!

I've also grown sweet potatoes and moringa, though more for my own consumption than for my flock. Sweet potato vines are incredibly easy to grow, they just get out of hand quickly and need a lot of pruning. As for moringa, I've heard it's a nutritional powerhouse, and it should thrive in your climate. I've seen some people use the leaves as a feed supplement to boost egg production, but I haven't tried it myself.

Regarding Azolla, I'm quite intrigued by it too. I've looked into it a bit, and its high protein content makes it a fantastic feed supplement. It also fixes nitrogen, which is great for the soil. Just as you mentioned, finding the right local variety can be a challenge, and large-scale cultivation requires a good amount of space and water, so that's something to plan out carefully.

If you're looking for other options, I'd personally recommend some easy-to-manage herbs and greens like Chicory and Kale. They're both hardy, and chickens absolutely love them, making them a great daily green supplement. You could also look into Alfalfa or Clover; they are excellent forage crops, rich in protein, and quite simple to grow.

One thing to watch out for with chickens is their love for scratching! So whatever you decide to plant, it's best to protect the young seedlings until they're big and strong enough to withstand some pecking and scratching.