We read in the Salatin books abou feeding icelandic kelp. He suggested mixing it with salt. We tried that for a while and decided that we should offer as free choice .... When we do this, the animals seem to not be able to get enough of it.

Is there any problem with giving the animals all they want of the icelandic kelp?

-- Paul Wheaton (paul@javaranch.com), April 08, 2002

Answers

Paul, if you wouldn't mind me asking...where do you get the kelp, brewer's yeast & probiotic that Salatin talks about? Thank you. Gertie

-- gertie (hirefams@mhtc.net), April 08, 2002.

We got it from "Countryside Natural Products" 888-699-7088

-- Paul Wheaton (paul@javaranch.com), April 08, 2002.

I mix my loose minerals (purina 12 12 loose cattle mineral), kelp and the Diamond V Yeast we use on our milkers, together. If I don't mix the minerals into the Yeast and kelp they will eat it like candy. I can't believe they are so difficient in any of these things that they need that much, I think they just like that taste! We get our Yeast and Kelp from a local coop, the prices of kelp on the internet is outrageous we pay 15$ for 50 pounds. But even at that price I can't afford to feed it free choice! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (Nubians) (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), April 08, 2002.

I can't feed free choice kelp either(mine is local Nova Scotia grown), the goats demolish it!! They love it like candy. I tried to give increasing amounts everyday to see if they would get bored with it but no. So now I just top dress rations.

-- Terri in NS (terri@softkits.ca), April 08, 2002.

Got my kelp from Fedco and also it is advertised in Peaceful Valley, buthave no idea if it is Icelandic. It is granular and has a dark green color. The turkey chicks pick it out of the turkey food and look for more--eating dessert first. The 1st 3 days I had the chicks I had no kelp and they were picking on the chick with a twisted wing until it was bloody. Once the kep was introduced--and diced garlic chives and dandelion leaves and whole leaves of kale, they stopped picking on the little guy.

-- Roma Milner (rmiln@aol.com), April 09, 2002.

Thanks for the phone number, Paul. This is not an answer to your question, but for anyone else who is interested, the people at that number recommend to use 15-20# of kelp to every ton (2000#)of feed. Hope that helps someone, and again thanks.

-- Gertie (hirefams@mhtc.net), April 09, 2002.