DailyLunatic
New Member
My Wife's friend has heard of my desire for floating water plants to keep my pond clear, and to be used as animal feed. She has several ponds and raises fish and frogs for sale. Her ponds are covered with a water plant that here in Thailand is referred to as 'Bee Flower' or 'Dok Jok'. I call it Water Lettuce and it looks like some variety of 'Pistia'.
She has been growing in full sun so I should have:
1] limited issues with sun damage as they are already acclimated, so no need for the shade cloth.
2] limited issue with fish predation as the plant is larger than either the Duckweed or Azolla I had tried previously, so, no need for the rafts.
However, other than keeping a clear pond, I was intending to use the plants to augment my animal feed as well. (goat and chicken)
I am finding conflicting information on the use of Water Lettuce as animal feed. Some say 8% crude proteins, others 20%. Some that the plant is toxic and contain Calcium Oxalate crystals in the leaves which will cause mouth sores and kidney damage. Others say that is commonly used in feed in many countries around the world. Culturally, it is commonly used here in Thailand.
Long story short (too late), both statements are true. It seems to depend on the animal you intend to feed the plant, and how often.
Chickens and pigs appear to be unaffected by the Calcium Oxalate
Goats on the other hand, are affected. They will willingly take it, just that it causes them issues. One article suggested keeping augmentation to less than 30%. Which was my intent. I don't think my small pond could produce more than an armload once a week or so.
So, has anyone here used Water Lettuce as feed? If so, what animal were you feeding, how often, and did you see issues?
-sterling
She has been growing in full sun so I should have:
1] limited issues with sun damage as they are already acclimated, so no need for the shade cloth.
2] limited issue with fish predation as the plant is larger than either the Duckweed or Azolla I had tried previously, so, no need for the rafts.
However, other than keeping a clear pond, I was intending to use the plants to augment my animal feed as well. (goat and chicken)
I am finding conflicting information on the use of Water Lettuce as animal feed. Some say 8% crude proteins, others 20%. Some that the plant is toxic and contain Calcium Oxalate crystals in the leaves which will cause mouth sores and kidney damage. Others say that is commonly used in feed in many countries around the world. Culturally, it is commonly used here in Thailand.
Long story short (too late), both statements are true. It seems to depend on the animal you intend to feed the plant, and how often.
Chickens and pigs appear to be unaffected by the Calcium Oxalate
Goats on the other hand, are affected. They will willingly take it, just that it causes them issues. One article suggested keeping augmentation to less than 30%. Which was my intent. I don't think my small pond could produce more than an armload once a week or so.
So, has anyone here used Water Lettuce as feed? If so, what animal were you feeding, how often, and did you see issues?
-sterling
