With the continuing advancement of the exhibition Budgerigar, comes the need for a continued search for better food products to sustain the birds.

Higher protein is invaluable in the diet of the exhibition budgerigar, and so is green feed, so a green feed which is very high in protein that grows naturally on our waterways, maybe an optional alternative to the normal feed groups we use.

Lemna is one of the smallest flowering plants. It grows in small colonies floating on the surfaces of quiet bodies of water, growing vegetatively, its multiplication can be extremely rapid, given the proper conditions, it is almost all leaf, having essentially no stem tissue, and only one or a few, very fine roots.

In nature, Lemna serves as food for many species of fish and aquatic birds. It can tolerate and grow under a wide range of conditions, even on water polluted with high concentrations of bacteria and some agricultural wastes.
Many studies demonstrate the unusually high productivity of this aquatic plant, with growth doubling in 24 hrs, observed on many occasions.

These rates of increase will be affected by diminished rates of fertilization or cold weather in different temperature zones, however, it is clear that the species is capable of a level of productivity closer to that obtained with micro organisms than with other higher plants. Reasonably high levels of fertility are required to obtain this massive growth of Lemna. Average pH levels of the 5-6 range are suitable.

Literature shows that Lemnaceae have a strong potential as primary feedstock’s for production of livestock and fish. These plants grow rapidly and are high in protein and dietary minerals and low in fibre. 
They do not produce toxic alkaloids and are palatable to a wide variety of domestic animals and fish.

 Feeding trials show that they are suitable for animal production, and that the meat is tasty and nutritious for human consumption.

Lemnaceae are adaptable to many climatic zones around the world, and hence are widely suitable for primary food production. Reliable analytic data is available to support the usefulness of the Lemnaceae as valuable food sources.

Most species have protein contents in the range of 15-45%, depending on the nitrogen supply, and the amino acid balance is favourable.
The yearly protein yield is tenfold higher with Lemna than with soybeans, and much better than for alfalfa

Amino acid content compares favourable with that of blood, soybean and cottonseed meals and considerably exceeds that of groundnut meal.

The level of minerals is high. Levels of nitrogen in the plant are comparable to those in commercial fertilizer.

Feeding Trials

Fish (Landolt and Kandeler)

Lemna can be grown separately and then provided to the fish, or produced in the same pond.

Production of Lemna in the same pond is not likely to work efficiently, however. Vigorous aeration of the water, as is practiced in catfish-culture, will disturb the growth of the plant. The photosynthetic activities of the plant do not oxygenate the water; in fact the covering plants reduce gas-exchange with the atmosphere

Grass carp seem particularly adapted to feeding on Lemna, and there is some literature devoted to this application. Channel catfish have also been successfully raised

The growth of hybrid carp was studied to determine feeding preference and feed consumption.

The hybrid was big head carp, 12 to 18 months old. The fish were cultured at high densities

in an experimental recirculating unit for 89 days with Lemna or a combination of Lemna and commercial pellets. They conclude that a combination of pellets and Lemna gave the best performance

When fed on Lemna alone, intake rate was low, feed conversion ratio good (1:1) and relative growth rate poor (0.67% of bodyweight daily). Sixty-five percent of the Lemna consumed was assimilated and 26% converted to fish. When the fish were fed on pellets in addition to Lemna the rate of Lemna consumption decreased and growth rate of the fish doubled with feed conversion ratios between 1.2 and 1.8. Seventy percent of the mixed diet was assimilated but only 21% converted.

Fish grown on the mixed diet performed similarly to fish grown on pellets but had a better feed conversion ratio attempted The Lemna was grown in shallow ponds containing mineral nutrients.

Crayfish are often released in irrigated rice fields in rice- growth areas of the United States to control weeds (often duckweeds).

It is not known if the deliberate growth of Lemnaceae would be an efficient means of production of these crustaceans.

Many waterfowl normally feed upon this plant. Chickens have also been prime candidates for this food source, since their high efficiency of feed conversion would further contribute to its economic viability.

Work with laying hens has been particularly encouraging.

Numerous demonstration projects prove the usefulness of Lemnaceae as the primary food source for production of fish and livestock.

Studies show that Lemnaceae are highly productive and economical to grow, and that the plants provide nutritious and palatable food for meat animals

I am conducting my own trials into the effect Lemna has on Budgerigars, at this stage the birds have taken to it quite well, with no side effects thus far, and growth rates in chicks has been excellent.  

Geoff Lowe ©