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Critter Food

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JohnyMac:
MrsMac and I were chatting last evening about our preps and where we might have some holes. One of those spots is critter food. Critter food for the cats, dogs, and chickens.

Typically, we keep on hand, at a minimum, 3-months supply of commercial food for each critter. Looking ahead, we are going to up this to 6-months. MrsMac also suggested that we look for a few books at our local used book store to help us identify and make critter food for when/if that commercial food runs out.

Chickens
Our chickens are free range birds. This means that they pretty much feed themselves spring through fall with some treats given to them by us. We have tried feeding them pumpkins and other such food in late fall, early winter but for the most part, they turn their beaks up to it.

Dogs
I am not to worried about feeding W3OOF as there is always scraps, scrambled eggs, freezer burnt protein, and of course venison. Our neighbor makes all of their dogs food and they seem to be pretty happy about it.

Cats
We have outside cats and inside cats. The outside cats do a remarkable job keeping the rodents at bay. Do I still see an occasional mouse nest? Sure, however our resident population is WAY DOWN compared to before we had outside cats.

The inside cats are a different proposition. We will have to research what to feed them as now due to their age, are both on special diets. Even though MrsMac will not like it, it will probably be allowing them to go outside and forage too as well as what ever we give them.

So what are you planning for your critters for when supplies are limited from the local feed store or tractor Supply? Or worse when the SHTF and you will not be able to buy any commercial critter food.

Nemo:
As far as cats, remember, parboil them first with some onion and they fry up nice. 

Dogs, I just could not bring myself to that.

Nemo

Felix:
six moths' supply for cats, dogs and horses.   Now down to feeding only two horses, next hay load will see them through entire winter.    No chickens - used to have 'em (free ranging) but soon-to-be-ex wife didn't want them any more - I will correct this come Spring, God willing and the Creeks don't rise.

Nemo:
Being in Arizona, I suggest you be more concerned with the Chiricahau Apache than the Creek.

Nemo

Felix:
"Being in Arizona, I suggest you be more concerned with the Chiricahau Apache than the Creek."

Oh, and don't we know...    them Apaches, they really are a case.    Whenever I've hunted or had to work around them it's condition yellow at all times at minimum.
Fortunately, the natives around me are more "friendly".  Navajos (and some Hopi) They are long accustomed to dealing with the Apaches.   And we ain't talking Blinken style here.

And yes, I've explored this shallow set of caves myself...
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/apache-death-cave

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