Goldfish in the Livestock Water Trough / Diary of a Permaculture Homesteader

I started keeping goldfish in my water trough about four years ago. I currently have the same four fish who started out as quite small 9¢ in my 100-gallon stock tank, and another two goldfish in my 35-gallon sheep stock tank. The fish overwinter well in the troughs, especially because they have the added comfort of a submerged trough heater in the winter time. The fish require no supplemental feed; they eat the mosquito larvae on the top of the water, and also eat the bits of hay and forage that fall from the horses' mouths when they drink.

Because my Clydesales are so large and require 35 gallons of water each per day, and I also have five sheep to one 35-gallon tank, I'm refilling water troughs constantly. The continuous refilling generates clean water full of bubbles--and the animals only add more as they play with their water before they drink. The fish get the aeration they need, the food they require, and a large tank for swimming all while keeping our mosquito population down.

Do the horses ever eat the fish? No--they swim to the bottom when the horses approach. Do any other animals or birds of prey hunt the fish? Nope--not once here on our farm. How do I know they're healthy and thriving? My vet friend says as long as they're eating, creating manure, growing, and swimming they're doing great.

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My Books:
The Sustainable Homestead: https://a.co/d/aJiktEc
The Little Homesteader, Spring: https://a.co/d/81clkYB
The Little Homesteader, Summer: https://a.co/d/81clkYB
The Little Homesteader, Fall: https://a.co/d/4NVXWcO
The Little Homesteader, Winter: https://a.co/d/hpQ8x7s
The Harvest Table Cookbook: https://a.co/d/00rW3uq

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Welcome to Axe & Root Homestead! I'm a first generation, self-taught permaculture farmer in Central New Jersey. If you're looking for information on gardening, homesteading, canning, animal care, working with your land, or regenerative farming practices, I have lots of info to share:
Instagram:   / axeandroothomestead  
Blog: https://www.axeandroothomestead.com/blog
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

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ONLINE CLASSES
Beginner Beekeeping:
https://axeandroothomestead.thinkific...

All Natural Soapmaking for Beginners:
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Learn to Grow Food in Less Than an Hour:
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Make Your Own Maple Syrup:
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FREE RESOURCES:

Chickens vs Ducks Free Printable:
https://www.axeandroothomestead.com/s...

Sheep vs Goats Free Printable:
https://www.axeandroothomestead.com/s...

Plant Profile Gardening Record:
https://www.axeandroothomestead.com/s...

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