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GREENS GRAINS LEGUMES SQUASH ROOT CROPS SEED FRUIT NUTS ANIMALS Self-sufficiency Crops
Self-sufficiency crops need to be the most nutritious. The foods listed here encourage maximum health because they are high in nutrients while being low in toxins and anti-nutrients.
For a more in depth discussion of nutrition and why so many crops were excluded, please refer to Nutrition Overview and Remaining Crops.
****************************************************GREENS:
Collards (Brassica oleracea L. (Acephala group): (Point of origin: Eastern Mediterranean / Asia Minor) Nutrition: High in calcium, lutein, zeaxanthin , sulforaphane. Eatin raw is a good source of B1 and B6. Eat raw only if thyroid is healthy. Cook to de-activate goitrogenic compounds. Harvest after light frost for improved flavor. Advantages: Parboil and dry for late winter use. Disadvantage: Members of this Brassica family will cross Stager by years to save seed Insect susceptible. Varieties: Champion, Vates, Georgia Southern, F1 Hi-Crop, F1 Bull Dog Sources: Johnny's, Territorial, Seeds of Change, Sakata, Takii ************** Turnips (Brassica rapa): (Point of origin: Siberia) Nutrition: High in calcium, folate , lutein, zeaxanthin, B6, sulforaphane. Eatin raw is a good source of B1 and B6. Eat raw if thyroid is healthy. Cook to de-activate goitrogenic compounds. Preparation: Harvest when the leaves are young and not too spicy. Eat greens raw, cook root. Advantages: natural biofumigant very insect resistant Will suppress weeds when planted as a bed. Ectomycorrhizal fungi relationship Disadvantage: Members of this Brassica family will cross Stager by years to save seed Varieties: Seven Top (Brassica septiceps) - for greens only, root is small and cold hardy. F1 Topper, F1 All Top Sources: Territorial, Siegers, Seeds of Change, Bountiful Gardens ****** Kale (Brassica oleracea Acephala group): (Point of origin: Eastern Mediterranean / Asia Minor) Nutrition: High in calcium, lutein, zeaxanthin, B6 , sulforaphane. Eatin raw is a good source of B1 nd B6. Eat raw if thyroid is healthy. Cook to de-activate goitrogenic compounds. Advantages: Parboil and dry for late winter use. Will tolerate hard freeze Disadvantage: Members of this Brassica family will cross Stager by years to save seed Varieties: Dwarf Blue Vates - cold hardy Dwarf Blue Scotch - cold hardy Dwarf Blue Curled Scotch - cold hardy Winterbor F1 - very cold hardy Ripbor F1 - very cold hardy, dark green, hybrid Russian or Siberian types (Brassica napus): not a true kale, actually a rape, astoundingly cold hardy up to 3 feet tall. Will not cross with other Brassica except other napus varieties. Propagation: Plant in summer and harvest until heavy freeze Sources: Hume, Seed Savers Exchange, Veseys, Bountiful Gardens, Seeds of Change, Territorial, Burpee Seed Ambassadors ******* Malvaceae family: Okra (Abelmoshcus esculentus): (Point of origin: North Africa) Nutrition: high in calcium, magnesium, folate, lutein, zeaxanthin Eatin raw is a good source of B1 and B6. The cooking water of okra is very soothing to the throat and digestive system since it is mucilaginous. The seed and pod is good to eat raw. The more red, the greater chance of lycopene. Animal Feed: save the seed from overmature pods for animal feed Extremely large amounts can be toxic Preparation: eat raw when in season Young pods can be deseeded, parboiled, and dried for winter greens. Mature seeds are high in quality protein with a slightly off taste, but good in small amounts as curd to supplement other foods during famines. Extremely large amounts of seed can be toxic. Lost Crops of Africa Varieties: Red Burgundy - red pods 1988 AAS winner Emerald - developed by Cambell Soup Co. early producer Clemson Spineless - 1939 AAS winner heat tolerant Propagation: Soil must be >70 F consistently or the plants will be stunted. Once stunted, it never recovers. Direct seed because of tap root. Cultivation: Rhizobium meliloti, Rhizobium sp., and Bradyrhizobium sp. will inhibit harmfull fungi on okra Sources: Bountiful Gardens, Seeds of Change Lycopene Sources ************* Daisy (Compositae) family: Chicory (Cichorium intybus): (Point of origin: Europe) Nutrition: High in calcium / magnesium, folate. Eat raw for a good source of B1 and B6. High in tannin like bitter compounds. Preparation: Eat raw or boil lightly and drain water to remove bitters. Varieties: Giant Catalogna, wild Propagation: Will cross with endives and wild chicory. Sources: Siegers, Italian Seed and Tool, Seeds of Change, Bountiful Gardens *********************************************** Greens not listed due to a lack of advantages: Nettle is not listed, even though it is high in calcium, because it is perennial. It is worth harvesting from pasture fields. Dandelion was not listed because it is so invasive. It is extremely nutritious, and is worth harvesting from pasture fields. Tendergreens (mustard spinach cross) were not included, even though they are very high in calcium, because they are also in the Brassica family and they do not dry well. They are also a hybrid, so seed saving will not work. But they are very cold hardy (-12 C) and might be ideal for cold climates. Mustard greens were not included, because the other members of the same family have more calcium, magnesium, and other nutrients. It is very nutritious, but there are only so many greens in the same family that can be grown in rotation. Broccoli was not listed because it is too inefficient. It is moderately nutritious, but it requires a large plant to produce a small head. Pak choi was not listed because it is not especially high in magnesium. Cabbage was not listed, because the other members of the same family have so much more calcium, magnesium, and other nutrients. The only exception might be Pak Choi, which does not store well as a dry green. Red cabbage does have some lycopene. Lettuce was not listed because it contains very little nutrition: No fiber, no calcium, and no magnesium. Only a few varieties have vitamin K, zeaxanthin, or lutein. ****************************************************Seed:
Sunflower (Compositae Helianthus annuus):
(Point of origin: North America) Nutrition: astoundingly high in minerals, vitamin E, and B1 Eat raw sprouts for a great source of B1. High in copper, manganese, magnesium, selenium See Safe Sprouting Technique Advantages: heat and drought resistant shells are phytotoxic when used as mulch Sprouts are an ideal winter source of B1. Disadvantage: Shelling is difficult and expensive Cultivation: Rhizobium meliloti, Rhizobium sp., and Bradyrhizobium sp. will inhibit harmfull fungi on sunflower Varieties: Mammoth, Sunspot Sources: Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Local Harvest ************************************************Grains:
Rice (Oryza sativa):
(Point of origin: Southeast Asia) Preparation: Soak for 24 hrs, then cook with moderate heat to reduce anti-nutrients. Cultivation: Use Kekulam and/or SRI method to grow with reduced water requirements. Do not mulch with grass family or diseases may be transferred. Rice must be mulched or seriously cultivated to control weeds. Flooding is not required. Adequate excess moisture is required only during grain formation to maximize yield. Advantages: Commercial organic rice is 1/3 as productive as conventional rice, so it is one of the few grains that still makes sense to grow manually for personal consumption. Manually mulched upland rice can be even more productive than commercial flooded rice. A small patch of rice would keep the knowledge and ability alive for times when limited rice availabilty could be overcome. Rice may be the only grain that the elderly can easily digest. Disadvantages: Development and broad adoption of upland rice varieties which can be grown organically and efficiently would eliminate any advantage to grow this manually. Varieties: Japonica for temperate climates Processing: Requires de hulling, but it can be done with a rubber roll paddy husker, or manually with an Engleberg steel huller. Soaking the seed first makes it easier. Sources and references: Internation Rice Research Institute UPLAND RICE RESEARCH SYSTEM OF RICE INTENSIFICATION KEKULAM RICE METHOD Rice Diet Program *****************************************************Legumes:
Soak all legumes for 8-24 hours depending on seed hardness and temperature. If desired, sprout for 2 more days to further neutralize anti-nutrients. Unfortunately, this will breakdown the more desirable complex proteins. See Safe Sprouting Technique Cook with low heat. Making tempeh will also reduce the anti-nutrients. Most legumes contain incomplete proteins and are best when consumed as a complement to grains. Source for all legumes: USDA Legumes Indeterminate varieties tend to recover more quickly from hail damage. North Dakota State University - hail damage.Pea (Pisum sativum)
(Point of origin: eastern Mediteranean) Preparation: Enzyme inhibitors have not formed yet while still green. Will sprout while still green. Sugars will start to convert to starch about 2 hours after picking. Advantage: Good crop for cold wet weather. Can regrow after being frozen to the ground. The only legume that will sprout without drying. Green never dried peas are the easiest legume to digest. But some people are too sensitive even for green peas. Nutrition: High in folate. Only the most sensitive cannot tolerate green peas, since they have no enzyme inhibitors until they start drying. Dried peas are extremely high in enzyme inhibitors. Planting: Use pea inoculant. (Rhizobium leguminosarum var. Viceae) The earlier you plant peas and the quicker they mature, the better chance you have of harvesting before spring hail and warm weather diseases set in. Varieties: These indeterminate varieties tend to recover more quickly from hail or severe late frost than the determinate bush varieties. Cold tolerant, quick maturing, tall vine peas that freeze well are ideal, such as Mr. Big, Freezonian, Ice Breaker, etc. Sources: Veseys Rohrer Seeds Siegers Gallatin Valley Seeds Debruyn Seed Thompson Morgan Reimers Seeds Victory SeedLentil (Lens culinaris):
(Point of origin: Near East) Advantages: Easier to digest than most other legumes. Brown or red are slightly easier to digest than green. Prefers cool semi-arid weather. Requires some drought stress to set seed properly. Can regrow if frozen to the ground. Disadvantages: Small plant and seed - difficult to cultivate and harvest. Some people are too sensitive to tolerate even after sprouting and fermenting. Sources: Territorial, Bountiful Gardens Cook's Thesaurus - lentils *************Green Beans (Fabaceae Phaseolus vulgaris):
(Point of origin: Central America) Nutrition: Moderate in lutein and zeaxanthin. Properties: Fast early varieties are the most reliable. Golden has better flavor Sources: Territorial, Stokes, Vermont Bean, Burpee Varieties: Blue Lake, Kentucky Wonder, Kentucky Blue, Romano typesScarlet Runner Beans (Phaseolus coccineus):
(Point of origin: Central America) Nutrition: Extremely high in lycopene. Lycopene Sources Properties: Requires a trellis. Contains phytohaemagglutinin - must be thoroughly cooked before eating Sources: Territorial, Stokes ***********************************************Squash:
Squash family (Cucurbitaceae): (Point of origin: the Americas) Nutrition: Converts to sugar quickly so do not eat too much. Good source of B6. Insect control: Grow up on a wire fence to control the squash bug and reduce mold. Keep away from night lights to avoid squash vine borer. Mold control: Grow on a trellis. Animal Feed: save the seed for animal feed Seed Saving: Species will not cross, but varieties within species will cross. Grow only one of each species if you save your own seed. Properties: Deer resistant. Winter Squash: Butternut (Cucurbita moschata): Nutrition: Tan skin. Orange flesh. , high in calcium and carbohydrates. Preparation: Eat with the skin. Properties: Immune to vine borer. Varieties: Waltham, F1 Early Sources: Territorial, Seeds of Change Turks Cap, Rouge Vif d' Etampes, Red Kuri, Mini Red Turban, Golden Delicious, or Victor, etc. (C. maxima): properties: these are all red pumpkin squash the more red, the greater the possibility of lycopene Sources: Rare Seeds Catalog ***********************************************Root Crops:
Root crops are very important because they are one of the best sources of potassium that can be grown in a temperate climate.Leeks (Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum (L.)):
(Point of origin: Disputed) Nutrition: Root bulb and lower stalk are extremely high in folates slice very thin and only cook lightly to preserve folates Properties: Plant a winter variety that will continue to feed the mycorrhizal fungus all winter. Varieties: Giant Musselburgh Leek Sources: Territorial LEEK VARIETIESCarrot(Umbelliferae Daucus carota var. Sativus):
(point of origin: Afghanistan) varieties: Atomic red - open pollinated red carrot contains some lycopene Nutri red - open pollinated red carrot contains some lycopene Samurai - deep red carrot, hybrid contains some lycopene Thumbalina - stores in soil well Autumn King - stores well in the ground James Scarlet Intermediate - stores well in the ground Saint Valery - stores well in the ground F1 Merida - plant in fall and harvest in spring in warm climates propagation: bienniel, will cross with queen ann's lace , white root indicates wild cross sources: Reimers, Jung, Territorial, Hume, Bountiful Gardens Goosefoot or Chenopodiaceae family:Beet (Beta vulgaris):
(Point of origin: Germany) Nutrition: High in folate, so eat raw. uridine monophosphate Never eat the leaves. Root is high in bitters, so peel the skin and do not eat too much. Soak in water to reduce bitterness. Very medicinally rich; eat small amounts at each meal since the body can process only so much pigment and geosmin. Properties: Pollinates by wind up to 5 miles away. Soak in water to sweeten. Variety: Detroit dark red - low geosmin Source: Stokes, Burpee, Seeds of Change BEETS Geosmin ********Sweet Potato (Convolvulaceae ipomoea batatas):
(Point of origin: the Americas) Nutrition: Converts to sugar at a moderate pace, so a good source of carbohydrates. High in magnesium and potassium. High in vitamin E. Skin is high in B6. Contains a moderate amount of oxalate, so do not eat too much. Preparation: Cook and eat root with the skin. Properties: Very drought and disease resistant. Requires warm weather. Varieties: Centennial from Miller's Georgia Jet from Territorial ******************************************************** Amaryllidaceae family - from Asia, will cross with wild onionGarlic (Allium sativum):
(Point of origin: Asia) Nutrition: Allicin helps keep arteries healthy. In animal tests at SWRI, garlic defended against radiation poisoning in mice. Some people cannot tolerate garlic. Properties: Deer resistant. Sources: Territorial, Seeds of Change Preparation: Press garlic and expose to the air for at least 10 minutes and serve garlic without cooking. Garlic, Radiation, and DNA repair links: Indian Journal of Medical Sciences Life Extension Live Strong British Journal of Cancer Gaia Research National Cancer Institute Rattlesnake Hill FarmOnion (Allium cepa):
(Point of origin: Asia) Nutrition: Good source of B6 and quercetin (red onion). Some people cannot tolerate onions. Properties: For bulbs, in the north, plant long day varieties in the fall and transplant in the spring. For bulbs, in the south, plant short day varieties in the spring. Sources: Seeds of Change, Bountiful Gardens ****************************************************Fruit:
American Grape (Vitis labrusca, riparia, aestivalis, lincecumii, and rotundifolia): (Point of origin: the Americas) Nutrition: Resveratrol has many beneficial effects on the circulatory system and also activates the SIRT1 longevity gene. Anthocyanins and quercitin are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Catechins are beneficial to the brain. Maximizing Nutrition: Until skin, seed, and pulp of every variety is tested for every combination of climate, soil, and management techniques, we can only make general statements about which varieties are highest in resveratrol, anthocyanins, catechins, quercitin, etc. While white / green grapes contain some of these compounds, most red grapes appear to contain all of them. Seeded grapes tend to contain more of these compounds than seedless. Resveratrol is a natural fungicide and tends to be produced more in grapes matured in a wet climate. Resveratrol and other flavinoid production is also increased due to exposure to UV radiation and other stressors. Resveratrol across grape varieties Resveratrol in riparia and vinifera High resveratrol wines Selection Criteria: European grapes tend to have the best flavor (Vitis vinifera), but are more vulnerable to disease. American grapes tend to have the best disease resistance. Hybrids come close to providing the best of both worlds. Some of the few hybrid varieties that can be grown organically with little or no spraying are listed below. Most other hybrid varieties must be grown in an extremely dry desert environment and/or sprayed intensively. (Such as Alwood, Frontenac, Sunbelt, Concord, Glenora, King of the North, Valiant, Worden, Buffalo, Sheridan, etc. ) Cultivation: Labrusca type grapes may have a hard time ripening evenly in warmer climates. ******************************************************************* High rainfall grapes: Beta (Vitis labrusca X Vitis riparia X Vitis vinifera) - zone 4 blue slipskin, small, tart, acidic very strong disease resistance Ripens early Source: St. Lawrence Oberlin Noir (Vitis riparia X Vitis vinifera) - zone 5 blue, black, tannic flavor, wine very strong disease resistance Ripens early Source: Double A Vineyards Medium rainfall grapes: Marquette (Vitis vinifera X Vitis riparia X Vitis labrusca) - zone 3 deep red hybrid wine grape, acidic has a low susceptibility to most grape diseases. Ripens early. Source: Double A Vineyards Bluebell (Vitis labrusca X Vitis vinifera) - zone 4 blue concord type, moderate flavor. has a low susceptibility to most grape diseases. Ripens early. Source: St. Lawrence Trollhaugen (Vitis labrusca X Vitis riparia) - zone 4 blue, seedless, berries susceptible to cracking very strong disease resistance mild concord flavor Ripens early. Source: High Country Gardens Source: Dominion Seed House Source: The Plant Scapers Mars (Vitis Labrusca X Vitis vinifera) - zone 5 purple/blue concord type seedless, moderate flavor has a low susceptibility to most grape diseases. Ripens midseason. Source: Raintree America (Vitis lincecumii X Vitis riparia) - zone 5 dark blue, pleasant flavor better in warmer regions, Pierce's Disease resistant has a low susceptibility to most grape diseases. black rot resistant. requires a second variety for pollination. Ripens midseason. Source: Double A Vineyards Source: Bunch Grapes.com Shuyler (Vitis labrusca X Vitis vinifera) - zone 6 dark blue, fresh eating only slightly susceptible to most grape diseases black rot resistant uneven ripening so better for fresh eating Ripens late midseason. Source: Double A Vineyards Source: Bunch Grapes.com Isabella (Vitis labrusca X Vitis vinifera) - zone 6 dark purple, labrusca flavor. only slightly susceptible to most grape diseases. Sometimes ripens unevenly. Used in tropical and subtropical environments. Ripens late season. Source: Daley's Fruit Source: Double A Vineyards Norton (Vitis aestivalis X Vitis vinifera) - zone 6 blue red hybrid wine grape very flavorful, low yield good disease resistance except moderate susceptibility to mildew. Woody cuttings with Vitis aestivali parentage tend to be difficult to root. Ripens late season. Source: Ripley County Farms ********************************************** Muscadine Grape (Vitis rotundifolia): (Point of origin: the Americas) Nutrition: red carlos type Very high in resveratrol Not self fertile zone 6 Noble (Vitis rotundifolia) - North Carolina State - Muscadine Grapes Bass Pecan Company Willis Orchard Red Summit and Red Scarlet (Vitis rotundifolia) - Willis Orchard ********************************************* Even the American varieties can eventually succomb to the phylloxera insect. Test Results Historical Results For the average home gardener, they will last plenty long enough. But, for the best long term results when growing these high resveratrol grapes in cool climates, graft the hybrid varieties onto a riparia, rupestris, or hybrid rootstock. Oklahoma State - grape rootstocks Northwest Berry and Grape - rootstocks Ohio State - rootstocks *************************************************** A 6 foot high cordon trellis will work for most of the varieties listed above. This will allow sheep to be used to maintain grass between the rows without electrification. University of Missouri - Training Systems Iowa State - Training Systems University of Wisconsin - Training Systems Michigan State - Training Systems University of California - Training Systems *************************************************** Variety links: Iowa State - cold climate grapes Ohio State University - grape production University of Illinois University of Minnesota Minnesota Grape Growers University of Utah - American Grapes Double A Vineyards Sweet Water Cellars Bunch Grapes *************************************************** Disease links: ATTRA - Grape Management Phylloxera Predators Grape IPM University of Nebraska - grape production *************************************************** Pollination links: Bee culture Oklahoma State ******************************************************** Apples (Malus pumila) - (Point of origin: Asia and Europe) Nutrition: Quercetin (red apple skin, exposed to sun) Properties: plant within 100 ft of different variety for pollinator Varieties: Liberty - zone 4b, mcintosh type dessert apple. , early to medium season bloom Freedom - zone 4, slightly tart , early to medium season bloom Enterprise - zone 4, deep red , medium to late season bloom , susceptible to mildew , better in dry environments Source: Miller's, St. Lawrence ******** Cherry (Prunus cerasus): (Point of origin: Europe and Asia) Nutrition: anthocyanidins quercetin Properties: needs good drainage, deep tap root sour cherries are the most disease resistant early bloom is the biggest problem in cherries Late Bloom Varieties: Evans / Bali - zone 3, semi dwarf, late bloom, late ripen sour Surefire - zone 4, late bloom, late ripen, sour Early Bloom Varieties (occasional crop loss): Montmorency - zone 4, early bloom, sweet and sour the premier sour cherry Balaton - zone 4B, mid season bloom dark red skin and flesh, sweet and tart Sources: Raintree, DNA Gardens, St. Lawrence, Miller's ******** Mulberry: (Point of origin: Asia) Nutrition: Purple or red varieties are high in resveratrol and rutin Red Mulberry (Morus rubra) - native American Properties: zone 4A, to -30 f, tart shade tolerant Varieties: native collections Weaping Mulberry Illinois Everbearing Sources: Raintree Nursery Reeseville Ridge Nursery Angelgrove Tree Seed Nursery Purple Mulberry (Morus alba) - silkworm tree Properties: zone 5, to -25 f Source: Raintree Nursery *************Sea berry (Hippophae rhamnoides):
Advantages: very high in vitamin C fruit contains omega 3 oil winter and drought hardy Disadvantages: requires freezing to remove astringency very thorny does not bear every year performs poorly in hot climates Varieties: Hergo: high vitamin C Leikora: large berries. German origin. Source: Raintree, St. Lawrence Nursery Millers ************Rose hips (Rosa spp.):
Nutrition: Vitamin C, hull only - not the seed. Vitamin C highest in cool climates. Seeds are high in vitamin E, good for animals. Hairs around the seeds are irritating. Harvest: Harvest as soon as the hips are ripe. Do not allow to remain on the plant exposed to the elements, as this greatly reduces vitamin C. Preparation: The outer shell is where all the vitamin C is. dry, vacuum pack, refrigerate, keep in darkness, do not grind until use. keep from oxygen!!!!!!! Cooking destroys vitamin C. Chew raw for best results.Rosa canina L.:
Properties: highest in vitamin C perrennial, zone 3 not drought tolerant Source: Richters *****************************************************Nuts:
Nuts: Do not freeze or cook nuts as this destroys vitamin E. The nuts listed below are among the easiest to digest. Since these are high in enzyme inhibitors, do not eat too much of them. Some people are intolerant. But even if you are intolerant, some people can still tolerate the oils, which can provide the essential oils.Hazelbert (Corylus sp.):
Nutrition: high in vitamin E and biotin. Properties: cross between hazelnut and filbert. larger nut than hazelnut. Greater disease resistance than filberts. Zone 4 Sources: St. Lawrence Nurseries, Badgersett Nursery Information: Information on Hazelnuts, Filberts, and HazelbertsHazelnut (Corylus americana):
(Point of origin: North America) Nutrition: high in vitamin E and biotin. Properties: Very small nut, Zone 3 Deep tap root so drought resistant. More disease resistance than hazelbert. Sources: Greenwood Nursery English or Persian Walnut (Juglans regia): (Point of origin: Asia) Nutrition: Moderate levels of omega 3. High in omega-6 and omega-9 oil. High in magnesium , delicious taste , high in B6 Properties: Shells are phytotoxic , leaves are insecticidal Variety: Carpathian Walnut from Carpathian Mountains of Poland , hardy to -25 F, zone 5. Source: Miller Pecan (Carya pecan): (Point of origin: North America) Nutrition: High in gamma and alpha tocopheral (vitamin E) High in magnesium Properties: Easy to grow except in high wind areas since the wood is soft and breaks easily Varieties: Northern Hardy Pecan, -30 F, zone 5 Source: Miller Nuts not listed: Almond is very nutritious, but requires extremely dry desert conditions to grow. ****************************************************Animals:
Animals are a source of essential B12 and an important source of B6 and biotin. Grass fed animals are the most environmentally friendly to produce, the most energy efficient, and they have a moderate level of DHA. Bison and wild animals have twice the level of DHA / EPA as beef cattle. All mature mammals and fish contain calcitonin. Only feed grains to animals with high feed conversion ratios (FCR), such as poultry or fish. Feed Conversion Ratio If you are trying to become self-sufficient with limited resources, it is important to start with the animals that have the most efficient FCR ratings as listed below. ********************************************************** Chicken egg: Nutrition: fairly even balance of ldl and hdl cholesterol. selenium, phosphatidylserine, biotin, choline. egg shell as a calcium supplement is problematic and is not recommended. Allergic reactions can occur to egg protein. Advantages: FCR around 2:1 low levels of purines. high in lutein and zeaxanthin. Moderate DHA if chickens are fed flax or forage. Chickens convert the ALA to DHA better than humans. Disadvantages: Requires high labor input. Need heated winter protection. Feed: oats, soy, buckwheat, hazelbert, forage, marigold, flax, sunflower, Chinese Wolfberry Chicken feed sites: Flaxseed Effect of DHA in Eggs Chicken Feed Free Range Poultry Breed Comparison: Henderson's Chicken Breed Chart Small Farm Chickens Breeds: Good free range layers Plymouth Rock - cold hardy, year round layers Sussex - cold hardy, year round layer Wyandotte - cold hardy, year round layer Rhode Island Red - aggressive cocks ********************************************************** Goat: nutrition: moderate purine levels nutrient rich red meat Advantage: capable of browsing on shrubs, forbes, etc. low labor input FCR slightly over 1:1 High in B vitamins. Often raised with sheep (shared diseases). Disadvantage: not very docile, best kept far from human habitation. requires a very good fence. General Information: Oklahoma State Goat Breeds Goats in the World North Carolina State University Fias Co Farm Cold Climate Meat Breeds: Kiko - low maintenance, parasite resistant Warm Climate Meat Breeds: Spanish Goat - low maintenance Boer Goat - large commercial kids *************************************************** Rabbit: Nutrition: extremely lean meat not a good source of fatty essential acids Advantages: Feed conversion ratio around 2:1 Excellant B vitamin source. Ideal if you have limited space Disadvantages: Requires high labor input Feed: Hay Breeds: New Zealand White Californian Chinchillass Vein Library Rabbit Links The Rabbit - Husbandry, Health, and Production DebMark Rabbit Education Resource *************************************************** Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus): Nutrition: very tasty meat. small bones are a great source of calcium / magnesium. Advantages: Best if you have limited space and access to mostly hay. Disadvantages: Requires high labor input Feed: Hay Links: Wikipedia Food Security Info ******************************************************** Turkey: nutrition: moderately high levels of purines selenium Advantage: Up to 80% grass diet Omnivorous winter hardy animal FCR of slightly over 2:1 Disadvantges: Heritage turkeys are not easily marketed. Do not mix with other poultry due to disease. Heritage Breeds: Nature's Harmony Farm Porter Turkeys Cackle Hatchery Back to Garden for Nutrition Index