What is Fodder?

[chickencoop789]

Ive been seeing a lot of threads about people talking about the fodder that they are growing but I have no idea what it is! Can someone help me out a little here?

 

[Alaskan]

For specifics, ask on the thread you were looking at.

But, generally it would refer to sprouting seeds to feed your flock.

 

[rottnwarrior]

Basically it's what you grow to use as feed. Types of grass, alfalfa, clovers things like that.

 

[chickencoop789]

So does it replace feed entirely?

 

[escape]

It doesn't completely replace feed. My chickens get about 1.5 pounds of fodder a day and they still get layer feed. They eat less feed, but they still get feed.

Fodder is easy to grow in a small space. It takes about 3 or 4 days to get from seed to feed (for chickens - my horse gets fodder that is 7 days growing).

Once you have a system set up, you feed a tray each day and you start a new tray each day.

There is all kinds of information if you google "fodder for chickens". I found a decent ebook in the kindle store on amazon that lays it out step-by-step.

 

[rottnwarrior]

I planted alfalfa, clover, buckwheat, oats, and timothy grass right in my yard. Bought bulk seed and keep it watered and it works great. No trays to mess with. And I still give feed, scraps, corn and other stuff too.

 

[escape]

My chickens free range in the pasture with the horses in the summer, but in the winter, the pasture is covered in snow and ice. No matter what I planted the chickens wouldn't be getting anything green.

Fodder gives them greens in the winter. They will get their last fodder about the end of April when the pasture greens up again.

 

[rottnwarrior]

I didn't think about it that way. Growing it indoors in the winter gives them some greens to have when they can't normally get it. Pretty good idea

 

[escape]

Yup.

And we are still getting as many eggs as we ever did. Temps have dipped below zero on several days, but they are still churning them out for us.

 

[rottnwarrior]

How do you grow it? Right in soil, or an aquaponics type setup? I'm thinking of doing an aquaponics setup for veggies n herbs in winter, a couple trays of fodder wouldn't hurt none I suppose.