A lot of people get really focused on stockpiling food for human consumption during times of crisis or war. But what about all of those other animals that need to eat?
Many preppers already have a pretty good idea of how much meat and chicken they have, but did you know how many grams of feed the livestock eats per kilogram (2,000 lb) of animal?
Nor do most preppers seem to be very aware of the different types of diets their cows, sheep, goats, pigs, and birds are given. This is especially important if you’re trying to limit your stock intake because some breeds require higher protein levels than others.
This article will go into detail about the best ways to stockpile pet and farm-raised animal feeds so that you’re not running out too quickly. It will also discuss why it is important to understand this information before the next big feeding event.
Stock up, but don’t overdo it
Just like with humans, when an animal gets hungry, it starts looking for foods that contain nutrients it doesn’t have yet. If it can’t find these foods, it will start eating less nutritious things like grass or leaves until it does.
This could potentially cause health problems later, such as malnutrition or obesity. Animals who become obese may even die of heart disease at a later date.
Reasons to stockpile pet and livestock feed
It’s always smart to be prepared, especially during an emergency or crisis.
Stocking up is not only helpful in preparing for major disasters, it also helps you stay self-sufficient. By having enough food stored, you show yourself that you are ready to take care of your family even if shops run out or there isn’t enough available for sale.
You will have some level of control over what you eat – it won’t spoil because you didn’t buy it yet – which gives you more choice about how to use the food.
Stockpiling can help you survive a short-term situation, or long-term when resources become limited. During times of war, people often get trained on how to prepare for emergencies by learning how to shop and feed themselves.
Many governments offer guidance on how to do this, too. They may tell people to gather as much food and medicine as they can before a disaster happens, or make recommendations on what to keep a stock of. This information can be gathered from friends and families, word of mouth, media coverage, and so on.
How much food and medicine you need really depends on your personal needs. Some people might feel hungry every day while others don’t, for example.
Do I need to stockpile
As we continue to emphasize, you do not have to be prepping to start stockpiling! This is an excellent way to begin preparing for any sort of crisis or disaster. Starting with food is always a good thing!
Many people start stocking up by buying a few items per week. A great place to get some easily started budget-friendly foods is at your local grocery store.
Some things that are helpful to buy are:
- Paper goods such as paper plates, napkins, and plastic ware
- Canned vegetables and fruits
- Packaged meats like chicken breasts, beef stew, etc.
These foods can all be stored in a pantry or kitchen shelf for use later. Many times these stores will offer discounts if you purchase a certain amount, so it makes sense to stock up!
Another important part of having a stable source of nutrition is keeping a large supply of water.
What should I stockpile?
It’s very important to be able to feed your pets and livestock during an extended survival situation. Even if you have enough food for yourself, there may not be enough food available for your loved ones.
Many people don’t realize how much meat animals eat! A dog or cat can easily consume up to a pound of meat per day! If you are just buying dry pet foods at the store, that is a lot of meat for a few days.
What about chicken or fish pellets? While these aren’t high in nutritional value, they are quite filling and can help out when needed.
You will also need to think about what kind of shelter your pets and farm animals will have while you are gone. Many owners find it difficult to leave their dogs or cats alone outside without any type of enclosure. This could cost money to buy either coverings or cages that someone else has already invested in!
Lastly, remember that even though dogs and cats are domesticated creatures, they still require exercise and attention, especially after being locked up inside all day. Investing in toys and outdoor enclosures is helpful for them.
How much should I stockpile?
It’s always good to have an adequate supply of food stored up, but how much is enough? There are two main reasons why people stock up on too much food.
The first is because they think that it will not be able to satisfy their hunger once there is a shortage. This could cause them to eat more than what their body needs, which would only make things worse when there is no longer enough food available.
The second reason is that they believe that it is best to have plenty of food ready in case something happens and there is a short period before help arrives. While this is a nice thought, it can also put a lot of pressure on yourself and your loved ones if you don’t know anyone else who has similar supplies.
If you do feel overwhelmed by all of your stockpiles, try having smaller increments of foods that you plan to use up within a few months. You can slowly add back into the stash as time goes on.
Where should I store my stockpile?
One of the best places to keep your food stored is in your own home or house. This way, you are not dependent on the supply company that stocks the shelf-life foods – you can easily reorder what you need!
Many people start stockpiling during an emergency by buying a few boxes of each item at one time. While this is a good starting point, it will quickly run out if you do not continue to stock up as these items go down.
Stocking up beyond what you originally bought costs less per unit, which is why it is a better strategy in the long term. The cost difference between buying one month’s worth of supplies and six months’ worth of supplies is extremely significant when you add it all up.
There are several reasons having a large food stash in your house is the ideal place to put it. First, it helps you maintain your normal routine while storing away food. You don’t have to worry about putting away the food because you will get back to it eventually.
Second, many people feel more comfortable knowing they have enough food stored in their homes. It gives them some sense of security.
What happens during a disaster
After a major disaster, there’s usually an initial wave of chaos as people are overwhelmed with grief, fear, and stress.
Next comes what we call the “triage period,” when survivors need to figure out who has food and water and how much they have.
After that, they will need to make sure everyone is taken care of before themselves. People often don’t realize it, but once someone enters into survival mode, they begin spending less and limiting their intake of foods and fluids so that they have enough to last.
This is why it’s important to stock up ahead of time. You should be able to survive for several weeks without outside help or supplies, at least!
There are many ways to stockpile food, and most savvy preppers know which ones are practical in different situations. Some things like dried fruits and vegetables can last years if stored properly.
But unfortunately, not all foods are shelf stable, and some require special preparation or storage conditions that may not exist after a crisis. This could put additional pressure on already stressed-out individuals.
What should I eat
Luckily, you do not need to rely heavily on stores or food supply companies for your daily meals while stockpiling. There are many easy ways to get enough nutrition for your body when preparing for an emergency situation.
Some of these foods can be found at most grocery stores, whereas others may require some research or development to make sure they are safe to use during this time.
We will go over several nutritional categories here so that you have something appropriate for every day in our Emergency Food Preparation Guide!
Drinking liquids is important to keep your body hydrated as well as help fuel your hunger. Water is always advised but we will discuss other beverages later in this article.
Many people start thinking about what they will eat once their mouths are full and stopped eating due to a lack of motivation to cook and/or spend money on groceries.
However, before you even begin cooking, you must determine how much food you have!
There are few things more frustrating than going through all the steps to prepare food only to realize you ran out of everything!!
Luckily, there are ways to know exactly how much food you have left over from your last shopping trip. Here are some tips to learn to identify if your home’s pantry, freezer, and garage are fully stocked!
What should I keep for pets?
Many experts agree that if you are ever in an emergency situation, your pet’s health comes before yours. This is why it is important to be prepared for any life-changing events by having enough food to last for several weeks for your pet.
Some of the things that can make eating more difficult for your dog or cat include changes in weather conditions (icy roads may cause pawing and slipping), power outages (no electricity means no water needed to hydrate them), and people who may not like/trust your animal (potential threats to their safety).
It’s also very important to know how to take care of your pet while they are sick so that they do not get worse!