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Fodder system for small farm

 
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I have 2 calves and 29 chickens I want to feed them fodder... What are your ideas... I'm height challenged (short female) I have a 10 x12 feed room.. That will have good roof, water and electric by spring.. I want to use water responsible and thrifty... What opinions on types of seeds best, worse, best flavor and so on... Should I buy the trays or have you found a better way... Thanks I don't want to waste time and money reinventing the wheel..
 
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I am also looking into building a fodder system for my 3 cows, numerous chickens, and 2 pigs. I have been doing a lot of research and planning for how I want to set it up. So keep in mind this is coming from my own research, not coming from a point of experience.
I have determined that for large scale fodder systems (like for cows), instead of trays, look at using a roofing panel (like in this system here:  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dJVkhns1rhs)

All I have seen in regards to thrifty use of water is that reusing water often causes mold after one or two uses.

As for seed type, I plan to use barley and wheat due to availability and a lot of people say those are quite palatable.


Anyways, hope that helps!
 
Sheri Rasko
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Thanks I watched the video.. I like the system... I guess the water could flow to outside for animals to drink then flow to ground..
 
Sheri Rasko
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Instead of using bleach could I use vinegar?
 
Jt Glickman
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I'm not sure if vinegar would work, you will probably have to do some trial and error....I know bleach is not a good product when we are all trying to grow organic animals.
But definitely using the waste water for animals would work great! I will keep that in mind when I build my fodder system.
 
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I'm not going to be much help to you because I just grew fodder for my chickens, so it was a small amount.  I did mine outside on a rack.  It was one of those craft racks with lots of shallow drawers.  I got it at the thrift store for a couple of dollars because it didn't have any drawers.  I put hard cloth in and used plastic rectangle trays that had a fine basket weave on the bottom, so water went through, but the seeds staid in the tray. I got them at the dollar tree. I would soak the seeds, then put them in the trays.  I only watered once a day.  I never used bleach, I would turn on the hose (I have well water so I don't have to worry about chlorine) with a sprinkler wand and water the top tray and that would water all the trays. I would move it around so the runoff water would water my walnut tree.  I used wheat and barley.  For me the wheat did better in the cooler seasons and the barley did better in the heat.  The chickens liked the wheat better, but loved it all. The only trouble I had was keeping the seeds dark.  They sprouted better when I would first put them in the tray if they were dark.  I tried cotton towels, and dark screen, cardboard, probably other stuff.  The cardboard was the worst because it didn't let the water through.  The others worked great, but the sprouts would stick to what ever was in there.  It wasn't a deal breaker, just a bit of an inconvenience.  I think this problem could be solved by attaching a frame to the screen so it would sit on top instead of resting on the seeds. (don't know why I didn't think of that then, oh well) It was very easy.  I didn't need nearly as much water as I saw on the internet.  I watered once a day most of the time, and two time when it was very hot or windy. I live in N. California, so the summer months get very hot.
Most of this wont be that helpful to you because you need to go much larger scale.  I just shared it with you so you understand how easy it is.  It can be super simple and cheap, or it can be very complex, and quite pricey.  You just need to do what you are comfortable with, and go for it.  I don't actually grow fodder any more. I read fermenting grains is just as healthy for chickens, and even easier then growing fodder.  You will need fodder for your cows of course, but you may consider fermenting grains for you chickens instead, or in addition to the fodder.  It is super easy, very healthy, and they love it.  What ever you do good luck, and have fun.
 
Sheri Rasko
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Thanks Jen
Personal experience helps a lot... I was hoping to get a fodder system this winter but probably not gonna happen. Growing season is just around the corner.. I will be busy with the gardens.. The cows and chickens will have lots of yard to eat..
Thanks again for responding
Sheri
 
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My personal experience is... Fodder molds. I've done sprouts just fine but fodder has NEVER not molded for me. I got encouragement from several people bragging about their mold free high value fodder from last year.... This year they're getting mold too! A few drops of bleach helps but I haven't found a system that works for me yet... Which sucks! Because I want to!

I'm seriously considering cut-and-come-again type trays instead, where you grow fodder grass in limited soil on a windowsill and just cut the grass and leave the seeds and roots behind to grow again later. That way I'm still getting the greens I want for the animals but less mold issues. Problem there is less nutrition - you just went from a sprouted improved whole grain product where they eat the seed and roots and greens together to essentially wheat hay. *sigh*
 
Jt Glickman
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Sheri Rasko wrote:Instead of using bleach could I use vinegar?



I've recently heard that hydrogen peroxide is another alternative
 
Seriously? That's what you're going with? I prefer this tiny ad:
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