Soybeans?

[6riversfarms]

I have an abundance of Envy soybeans that are close to being harvested. What parts of the plant if any would be safe to feed the rabbits? I have been slowly introducing greens, mainly carrot tops, to my herd and was thinking the soybean could provide a high protien green in their diet?

 

[MaggieJ]

I don't know about soybean greens. If you use any pesticides on the soybeans, I recommend that you do not feed them to rabbits. I do know you must steam or roast the actual soybean before feeding it to livestock and that for rabbits is should make up only a small percentage of their feed.

I did a Google search for "soybean foliage as forage" and turned up a lot of information that you may want to sort through.
https://www.google.ca/#hl=en&gs_nf=1&pq ... 72&bih=421

 

[Miss M]

Soybeans are known for high estrogen content. I don't know what effect, if any, that might have on the rabbits (fertility issues especially in bucks, cancer, etc.), or whether it ends up in the meat of the rabbit.

 

[6riversfarms]

Thanks ladies. I appreciate the link Maggie. I will sort through the info tonite.

The beans havent been sprayed at all. Not even with water lol. I am actually growing them as an experiment to see if and how many generations it will take me to end up with a more drought, disease, and pest resitant variety. I am saving seed from only the healthiest of specimens which leaves a whole bunch of culls. This particular variety is different from a standard commercially produced soybean in that the beans are fit for human consumption straight from the pod. Anyway...enough abouty silly beans lol.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

So, does that mean they are a GMO?

 

[6riversfarms]

So, does that mean they are a GMO?

Nope. I would never ever grow GMO. They are used to make edamame. A japanese yummy snack. This particular variety is considered an heirloom variety. It was first developed in the 1920's if I remember correctly.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

So, does that mean they are a GMO?

Nope. I would never ever grow GMO. They are used to make edamame. A japanese yummy snack. This particular variety is considered an heirloom variety. It was first developed in the 1920's if I remember correctly.

Cool! I LOVE edamame, and so do my kids!

 

[6riversfarms]

So, does that mean they are a GMO?

Nope. I would never ever grow GMO. They are used to make edamame. A japanese yummy snack. This particular variety is considered an heirloom variety. It was first developed in the 1920's if I remember correctly.

Cool! I LOVE edamame, and so do my kids!

Yup it is scrumptous.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I am actually growing them as an experiment to see if and how many generations it will take me to end up with a more drought, disease, and pest resitant variety.

How neat! Maybe someday you will be known as "The Gregor Mendel of Soybeans"!

http://anthro.palomar.edu/mendel/mendel_1.htm

Cool! I LOVE edamame, and so do my kids!

and the saga continues... Sometimes we buy the pack at Costco, and eat the entire thing on the drive home!