Re: Re[2]: [Killietalk] Rabbit Dookie?

["Catherine Carney" <schmidtcarney at ecr_net>]

Hi Maran and all--

Well, I can tell you a bit about goats and sheep (and that the manure from
either species makes a great addition to a daphnia pond), since I have both
( I'm a handspinner, too). Both are 4 stomached ruminants (rumen, omasum,
abomasum, and reticulum), which is different from camelids (llamas and such)
that are 3 stomached ruminants.

Anyway, I have found that goat manure in particular is not "hot" (will not
burn plants when used umcomposted in the garden) which means that the
nitrogen level is relatively low. Also, virtually no weed seeds survive the
digestion process. Goats possess extremely efficient digestive
systems....The sheep (Shetlands) are almost as efficient.

As far as methane production goes, all ruminants (and most of us single
stomached animals although to a much lesser extent) produce methane and
other gases as part of the fermentation process that, among other things,
breaks the indigestible cellulose present in plants into more digestible
starches and sugars. Before somebody shrieks about animals contributing to
global warming, animals produce far fewer greenhouse gases than even the
smallest gasoline or diesel powered engine.

When using manure to enrich a daphnia culture, remember that a little goes a
LONG way. It is very easy, in my experience, to overdo it and end up with a
rancid reeking mess. Better to add a little and add it more often, IMO.

All for now.

Catherine


> Of course, rabbits aren't cavies... that's guinea
> pigs.
>
> Rabbits, hares and picas are Lagomorphs. And contrary
> to popular misconception, they are NOT rodents. (In
> fact, genetically speaking, rabbits are closer to
> humans than to rats!)
>
> Here's a fun rabbit fact: Domestic rabbits are related
> to European wild rabbits, but are so far removed from
> the wild rabbits of North America that they can't even
> interbreed.
>
> I don't know anything about goats except that that's
> where cashmere comes from. (I'm also a hand-spinner.)
>
> -Maran
>
> --- Mark & Peta <mbethke at socal_rr.com> wrote:
> > So true, the cows have a rumen and that makes for
> > some pretty nasty Gaseous
> > disturbances, plus the manure must be composted. But
> > the Cavies and goats
> > (forgot the family name) do have less digested
>
>
> =====
> Maran Fulvi
> Rabbit Ears TV
> "Even with cable, TV is better with Rabbit Ears!"
>
>
>
>
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