A few commenters on my Struggles with Chickens livestream reminded me of the value of azolla, duckweed and other aquatic plants as chicken feed sources.

Anna writes:

“I’m considering growing azolla. It seems like a multi use plant for fodder, fertilizer, and compost. Great protein profile as well.”

Homesteading Heathen writes:

“Digging a pond for water hyacinth. Thought about getting a pelletizer to make feed out of it. Super high protein in that stuff and it grows like a weed.”

Ashley writes:

“We successfully replaced half our flocks feed with duckweed and gatorweed off our pond last summer. No reduction in egg production. Our flock at that time was over 200 hens. Our farm is A&A Acres. Both plants did die back in the winter but duckweed can easily be grown in containers indoors. Protein content dry is between 20-35%.”

I used to have a few hot tub ponds I used to grow aquatic plants as feed and as compost. I should do that again, along with the homegrown produce, grains, mealworms and red wigglers.