This video explores historical and modern methods for cost-effectively feeding livestock, particularly rabbits, by utilizing natural forage like "leaf hay." The presenter details three main approaches: collecting and drying fallen leaves, harvesting and drying entire plants, and cultivating fodder crops in a greenhouse. A significant focus is placed on the challenges and solutions for processing collected leaves, including proper drying to prevent spoilage and a crucial sanitization technique to eliminate pathogens for animal safety. The video concludes with discussions on storage, future plans like pollarding trees for continuous fodder, and an invitation for viewer input on alternative feeding strategies.
Exploring Sustainable Livestock Feeding: The Ancient Practice of Leaf Hay and Modern Fodder Solutions
0:00 The video introduces the economic challenge of livestock care, emphasizing the importance of cost-effective feeding methods to differentiate between keeping livestock and keeping pets.
0:41 The presenter introduces "leaf hay," an ancient practice of feeding livestock (including sheep, goats, and cows) with dried leaves during winter, now regaining popularity as a supplement to commercial feed.
1:45Method 1: Utilizing Fallen Leaves from the Lawn.
Initial mistake: Using a mower made the leaf hay too fine and crumbly for animals to enjoy.
Solution: Raking leaves was more effective.
Key Detail: Proper drying of leaf hay is crucial to prevent fermentation, mold, or fungus, which can be harmful to livestock.
Bundling: Small, round bundles were created using mosquito netting within a 5-gallon bucket, secured with zip ties.
Storage: Bundles are stored on a narrow rack in the basement, placed above a running dehumidifier for continuous drying.
Important Detail: Rabbits are highly susceptible to bacteria and viruses from wild animal defecation on lawns.
Sanitization Method: Small bundles are placed in a lidded metal bucket and heated to 150-160Β°F for several hours using a heating pad to kill potential pathogens. (A previous attempt with a plastic bucket failed due to heat).
Example: Forsythia plants, which rabbits consume readily (both leaves and branches).
This method presents a lower risk of pathogen introduction compared to collecting leaves directly from the ground.
7:01Method 3: Growing Fodder Crops in a Greenhouse.
Crops cultivated include oatgrass, kale, parsley, clover, and lettuce.
Oatgrass is trimmed at 6 inches tall and then dried on racks in the basement.
Kale, parsley, clover, and lettuce are fed fresh to the rabbits.
8:39Future Plans: The presenter plans to experiment with "pollarding" (referred to as coppicing) maple trees by cutting trunks 4-5 feet high to encourage tender branch growth, providing a continuous source of fresh fodder.
9:14 The presenter invites viewers to share any other cost-effective livestock feeding methods they might know.