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Floating forages are one of the most misunderstood feed tools on small farms. I spent four months testing five different floating and aquatic forages side-by-side using the same animals, same water, and same containers to find out what actually works — and what’s overhyped.
In this video, I break down the real production numbers, protein content, animal acceptance, and container requirements for azolla, duckweed, spirodela, water spinach, and watercress. One forage tripled my production per square foot, one replaced $340 per month in feed costs, and one my pigs refused to eat entirely.
This is not theory or extension recommendations — this is on-farm testing with chickens, ducks, pigs, and mixed livestock systems.
What you’ll learn:
- Which floating forage produces the most protein per square foot
- Why azolla is overrated for chickens despite fast growth
- The floating forage that outperformed soybeans on protein density Which aquatic forage pigs will eat — and which they absolutely won’t
- How much feed floating forages can realistically replace (20–40%, not 100%) Exact kiddie pool and container sizing for chickens, ducks, and pigs.
- Why harvest time and palatability matter more than growth rate
- How to avoid common mistakes that cause animals to reject floating forage
Tested forages in this video:
- Azolla Duckweed
- Spirodela (giant duckweed)
- Water spinach
- Watercress
Floating forages are supplements, not complete feeds. Used correctly, they can dramatically reduce feed costs, improve yolk color, increase protein intake, and stack nutrient cycling into your system. Used wrong, they waste time and money.
If you’re raising chickens, ducks, pigs, or mixed livestock on a backyard, homestead, or small farm scale — this video shows what actually pencils out.