Fodder is a hydroponic grown feed that is rich in nutrients and proteins. It is a barley, oat or wheat seed germinated, grown and harvested in 7 to 8 days. It grows in tubs on a shelf and when harvested can be rolled up, cut and given to the chickens, goats and rabbits.
The system I am designing will have a large tub of feed ready to harvest every day.
For a this system the initial set up cost is a little high, but the finished product is worth it. Estimated cost to feed my animals is 0.17 cents a day.
Go figure, I learn something new every day.
If you had some slope in your ground you could dig a shallow trench maybe 4 feet wide or whatever works and how ever long you can make it. Line the trench with plastic and put the water source at the top and rotate your plantings down the trench so that there would be a continuous supply. It can even be hooped and cover with clear plastic for a green house type of deal over the sprouting seed. The water would work it's way down hill of course and you may even need to put a movable water source for the more mature stands of fodder.
ReplyDeleteThanks SBF,
DeleteThe system I am building will be in the barn on one long shelf. The tubs will be rotated for that continuous supply. The water will be reused and recirculated. This way the initial cost of the set up is just that and the only reoccurring cost is the seed.
I can't wait for the details. I've been researching how to feed my chickens in the event I can no longer buy feed (shtf). You may have solved my problem. Can't wait to see what you come up with.
ReplyDeleteThanks Izzy,
DeleteThey only thing to buy after this system is set up is the seed. I guess if you had a healthy supply it could last awhile. 1 pound of seed makes 6 pounds of feed so a 50 pound bad of seed will potentially yield 300 pounds of good food for the animals.
I will keep you updated.
This is fantastic! Hope you post details and pictures as you learn more.
DeleteThanks LindaG, when I get into it I will show more detail.
DeleteMDR - have you looked into sprouting? you can sprout just about any kind of seed (except kidney bean seeds) and it is fit for human consumption and definitely fit for animal consumption. we sprout radish, beet, corn, lentil, pea, and a whole pile of other seeds - you could grow those things during the summer and then sprout them for you animal feed over the winter. a variety of sprouts is good for any diet, man or animal.
ReplyDeletewoops - hit the publish button before i signed off...
Deleteyour friend,
kymber
Kymber,
DeleteIn a nut shell this is what this is. The shoots get up to about 7 inches in this mass planting creating a think root mass on the bottom. At the ten day mark is when the second set of leaves start and you loose some of the nutrients and proteins. That is why you harvest them on day 7 or 8.
As far as what you are talking about, I sprout Alfalfa and put it on my salads and sandwiches.
Thanks
MDR - that's what i thought but wasn's sure - i am glad that you have this new way of feeding the animals - i bet they will thrive!
DeleteYou might be interested in this video on a lady that did it on the cheap in Canada: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGLEsPrPsVQ
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link LH,
DeleteThe system I am going to build is not the trickle down like hers. Mine will be all automated and rotated plus it will be a little bigger system.
She had some good ideas though.
You are having to work on a large scale production and, yes, it is "sprouting" but on a major scale. Not in a Ball jar like I sprout alfalfa. This, while being costly in the beginning, will be cost effective down the road.
ReplyDeleteWhat about your larger stock? Are these ravines threatening a broken leg where they are concerned? The foundation of your home?
Here's hoping a giant monsoon doesn't hit, then erode what's left. It's always something, isn't it.
LJ, I will have to get the system started for the chickens and rabbits first then double it for the goats. There is no way for me to grow enough to feed cows or anything much larger than a goat.
DeleteYes they are. The cracks are all out in the pasture and huge holes are starting to open up. I don't even want to drive out there anymore.
Bring on the rains, I can always haul in more dirt.
Speaking as an EMS instructor--make sure you always have your cell phone with you when walking outdoors--in case you go down in a crack.
ReplyDeleteWhat do they call these seeds?? Any special names for it? Is it a blend or ??
Hope your critters don't start demanding ranch dressing on the side now...LOL
Also, have you checked beet pulp?? It is cheap up here, and we use it often during the winter--we first soak it overnight in a bucket before giving.
Thanks April,
DeleteThat's a good idea.
The seeds mainly used are Barley with the husk. You can also use Oats or Wheat but the Barley is the best in the nutrition and protein.
If serving them ranch will make them taste better then I would do it.
Can't say that I have ever heard of beet pulp. I don't even know where I would get it down here.
Thanks for the comment.
I can't wait to see your system! I've been doing this for about a year, but we only use it for treats so my system is much smaller....I did post about it on my MuranoChickenFarm blog if you want to see. The critters love it!
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
~L
How did I miss that post LisaM?
DeleteThanks for letting me know.
You know by now I can't do anything small. Mine will have the automatic watering system, the self draining and the whole nine yards. It's not that I have the money to do it that way, it's that I have most of the stuff laying around from other projects.
I wished I knew about this sooner though. I guess I needed to spend more time reading the blogs hu.
By using stuff you have, you are a man after my own heart. I am considering sprouting for my 2 hens this winter when I do keep them in a pen all day. They are ravenous for green stuff in the winter. I am growing turnip greens in my 4x4 raised bed. But, I want to sprout indoors. However, I was not going to keep them sprouting for 7 days, but maybe that is what I need to do. Hurry and explain so I can see what to do.
ReplyDeleteI never pay for chicken feed, so I need this. I share my old-fashioned oats with them, but we only eat one large canister each month.
Thank PP,
DeleteI have junk piles everywhere just for that reason.
The 7 to 8 day harvest gives you 7" shoots like grass and right before it starts to leaf out and loose it's protein. It's more food to eat that way.
I will keep you updated.
Thanks for stopping by.