Growing fodder for chickens

[KenzHenz Hatch]

Actually, by my calculations, that would be about 1/4 - 1/8 lb of fodder per bird per day.

 

[ocap]

Actually, by my calculations, that would be about 1/4 - 1/8 lb of fodder per bird per day.

ok, i was working the problem with lbs of seeds not lbs of fodder

 

[Lacy Blues]

I would like to thank everyone on this site. I reviewed it from front to back and decided to build a fodder system for my 325 girls and 20 boys. The absolutely love the fodder, however they have not quite conjured up to eating the greens and roots as well as the seeds. I am currently experimenting with Wheat seed and BOSS along with a bird seed mix and putting in a cup or two of whole corn and oats. A little different mix daily (keep it interesting). Here is a picture of my final product. I only go five days, but thinking about adding a top shelf so the grass will grow a little higher and thicker.

I've been off for a couple of days and so haven't finished catching up on this thread. I, for one, would really like you to explain the whole set up, including the watering I think I see.

I don't have 325 birds but I do have over 100 and several rooster pens.

 

[KenzHenz Hatch]

Basically, I purchased two 36 wide metal racks with 5 shelves from Home Depot. I set them up and began to make to fodder system. For trays, I went to Wal Mart and purchased 41 Quart containers and drilled 1/16 holes in the bottoms (alot of holes) and began stacking them one on top of the other, lining them up by making the outsides of the treys touch the post of the metal racks (this way I know the water will drip down without spilling over the sides). For drainage of the water that is circulated, I drilled holes in the wall and slanted the very bottom trays (empty) which have a 3/4 inch pvc pipe attached to them that extends out from the tray to allow water to drain outside in my flowerbeds. For fresh water, I ran a line from my well with 3/4 inch pvc and placed a ball valve on the line to be able to adjust the water flow from the well. I then placed between the watering lines (the tubes you see at the top) a landscaping valve (about $10 at Home Depot) that is attached inline betweem the ball valve and the watering tubes. This valve (normally closed) is attached to a timer that opens it 8 times a day for 5 minutes each time. For the watering tubes, I drilled 1/16 holes in the tubes, enough to allow all the seeds on the top shelf to get wet while it is watering. As the trays thicken up on fodder and roots, the water drains a little slower, but monitoring will allow you to make your final adjustments with the ball valve for the right flow of water.

One thing I am going to do is place a ball valve at the beginning of each watering tube, because the single ball valve does not allow me to adjust each column of trays water as I need to be able to. I hope this helps. I figured this cost me between $300 -$350 to make. But I am hoping to realize it back with the savings in feed over the coming years. I do not foresee myself foddering the birds during the summer. I recently negotiated to place my flocks in egg mobiles and in tractors on a local 40 acre dairy farm that sells raw milk to the public, as I sell my free range eggs for eating/hatching and also I have a small hatchery with several types of birds, Rhode Island Reds, Barred Rocks, Americaunas, Red/Black Sex Links. I am working on the ability to ship at this time.

Thanks for your interest in the fodder system. If ever I can assist anyone here, I will do what I can. Thanks again.

Ken

 

[Lacy Blues]

So you only water from the top trays and it runs through all of them into the bottom empty trays which are connected to a line that leads outside? I guess watering 8 times a day reduces the risk of mold spores building up?

 

[mrsc1951]

I live on the west central coast of Florida so I am able to grow my fodder outdoors. I have a plastic shelf next to our outdoor shower and agree with Ken that rinsing with fresh water each time keeps down the mold problem. Everything here molds/mildews. LOL I rinse twice a day but there is plenty of humidity in the air and I have never had a problem with mold. I have catch trays underneath and empty those onto my potted plants and herbs. They don't seem to mind the recycled water. In fact, since I have been using the water run through the fodder, they seem to be growing better. This thread was a great help and answered all my questions - without even having to ask. Just read. Thanks to everyone who has posted info on here.

 

[KenzHenz Hatch]

That is correct. Top to the bottom trays. The bottom trays don't seem to fill out (or root) as well as the top trays. I will have to work on that. But I do believe rinsing with fresh water for not long with often times does help reduce the mold. I to like the person in florida live in a very high humidity area so mold and mildew are really prevalent here.

 

[Phottoman]

I water twice a day also, and with fresh water. I use an open cardboard milk quart container, but anything that holds water should do well.

Since I am using the quart container, I dump two loads into the top container, and let that trickle all the way to the bottom. I do this twice for each tower of fodder.

Just for grins and giggles, I decided last night to measure what I received at the bottom after filtering through five flats of seeds, and guess what, LESS THAT A QUART of water was all I am getting back.

Those seeds are VERY thirsty. And as a side note, after doing it this way (fresh water) I have had NO MOLD or fuzz growing in my trays.

I have been using mostly Barley seeds, but have also tried BOSS (slow starter, but beautiful to look at after a week or so) and corn (VERY slow and after a week, not much activity).

Today I am building a wood rack to hold my flats, and I am changing from the storage boxes I bought at Walmart to regular garden flats bought on line. These are without holes and I have to drill holes in them today after building my rack.

Skip

 

[mrsc1951]

That is correct. Top to the bottom trays. The bottom trays don't seem to fill out (or root) as well as the top trays. I will have to work on that. But I do believe rinsing with fresh water for not long with often times does help reduce the mold. I to like the person in florida live in a very high humidity area so mold and mildew are really prevalent here.

I had that problem, too but found that rotating the trays takes care of that. My "operation" is at most 4 trays going at a time - at different stages because I only have seven girls so the rotation isn't a problem for me. I just switch the top one to the bottom and switch the middle ones. I have never had a problem with mold but this time the fruit flies are a royal pain. About every three weeks or so my cat gets a little bowl of it in the house. I just continue to rinse it daily and it keeps him from wanting to go outside to eat grass. Besides, the chickens chase him when he goes out.

 

[mrsc1951]

I've been pretty good about keeping up with this thread - as far as reading goes, but don't remember seeing anything about rye. I bought rye at the health food store to make bread. Don't know what I was thinking - bought about 3 lbs. I only needed enough to bake 2 loaves of bread. Anyone on here used it before? I know that there are some concerns about the mold on mature rye that can cause problems but was curious about just sprouting.