Fodder Pro-Feed System

[plantoneonme]

Anyone ever heard of this system? It is really made for cattle, horses and other large livestock but my chickens love to eat grass and other vegetation. I would like a system smaller and geared toward feeding chickens the greens they BAWK! for everytime I go outside. I also wonder if anyone knows much about hydroponics and could figure out a way to make a home based system much cheaper. These systems go for almost $3000

I did look up some you tubes on growing wheat grass and may try that it. I am only spoiling 3 full size birds and 4 bantams and think I could grow enough for a nice treat every day in the winter months.

 

[Livinzoo]

I was checking this out too. Along with poultry I have pigs, goats and a cow. If you look at the assembly directions you can get an idea of how to build one. I've been looking into Aquaponics with a 250 gallon IBC tote. I could really see incorporating this into it. The hard part for me will be finding a grain that would work well in my area. Barley would be fine for spring and fall here in the SouthEast but without one of the real expensive temperature controlled units it would not work for the summer. Look up fodder on youtube to get some ideas of the other systems out there and look up Aquaponics. you could have fish for you or your animals and naturally fertilized plants.

 

[plantoneonme]

Quote:
Never thought to look at the assembly directions

 

[perchie.girl]

I have considered this as well. I live in the desert and it would justify me setting up a tank for raising Tilapia and subsequently raising up some treats for the horse and goats and chickens.... Even myself I love wheat grass juice. I also love Tilapia tacos.... Yummy..... And little fishy bits for the Chickies.... Win win win.

 

[Dunappy]

Sorry I know this is an "old" thread but I found it today while doing some research on the fodder systems. I was wondering if any of you tried to either purchase the system or make one on your own. I'm in the process of starting a small scale fodder system to test out the basics of it before I go out and buy or build a large scale one. I'll be working towards feeding 10 muscovy ducks, 5 assorted geese, 3-4 turkeys and about 20 chickens at least a portion of their feeding with the fodder, If that works out, I'll want to go grand scale so I can also feed my 4 horses and one mule a portion of their feed as fodder. I've read about an alpaca farm in California that has been producing 600 Lbs per day to help feed their 22 alpacas and 18 horses. According to the alpaca forum that I read that on, the lady has been using the system for almost a year now. I'd like to hear if any one has tried to come up with a home fodder production solution. Thanks

 

[TrystInn]

We're setting up a fodder system here, though we're making our own system - why pay a corporation to do something we can do better, cheaper? I'm currently researching seed and the nutritional levels for different grains. I've ordered the racking, it will be here Monday and I'll be looking into trays and bins this weekend. Hubby is making a wrap-around enclosure, sewing it together from a few plastic tarps (I taught him the pattern using old jeans!)

So we're psyched! I may write up an article for the site on it! Anyone else game??

 

[timbuck2mom]

I've just recently heard about barley fodder for livestock. I've ordered some trays to experiment with it myself. But what I'm wondering is what grains should I sprout and do you still free feed your regular chicken feed along with your fodder?

 

[SproutGuy]

We have made and tested a few fodder designs. With the price of grains rising and fodder being 1/8th the cost of feed...and it being better for the animals - we picked up on it right away!

The trays are the expensive part unless you go with a shelving system and the wire racks cost a bundle!


As for what seeds to sprout for fodder for chickens -
I'd go with what you can find locally and is available in a high protein. Beans, peas, alfalfa and I add chia seeds to mine. Corn, oats, barley and rye add bulk and nutrients.
For my chickens - I add azomite minerals, calcium and some grit a couple times a week to their fodder to get them the highest nutrients for the best health.

Hogs should have a different mix with rock dust to add to their iron but all animals benefit from azomite, kelp or rock dust.

 

[grannyg]

For my 1 to 2 dozen chickens and 1 cows buckets do the trick. Soak in one, rinse. Add a bucket each day up to 6 as I read the highest protein is on the 6th day. Each bucket gets about a quart of barley or wheat or whatever. Each day once or twice depending on the weather I rinse them and cycle through adding a new bucket to soak. This provides most of my chicken feed but I still have layer pellets and oyster shell. The fodder goes on the ground, so they get sand, etc. that way. The 2steers get about a quart of this and a quart of livestock feed in addition to grazing and a small amount of hay. These treats train the steers to come when you show up.