Our Fodder System - Version 2
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ย. 2015
- We've updated our fodder system since our last major post about it. New trays, more shelving, automatic draining, and now we're doing sunflowers as well as barley.
Rubbermade Bus/Utility Box
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
Bulkhead fitting for drain pan:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00... - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
I love that you added the drill bit size!
Great video bud. Extremely informative, appreciate you taking the time to make these videos so informative. Looks like these will help many to save from making the same mistakes. Thanks again
Your process seems simple. Thanks for the information.
I like the improvements you made!
Thanks for the fast response and info!
Cool I was hopping you would show the system again and how it was coming along.
Very cool! New chicks coming soon. I have to try this!
just a quick note about feeding it to the goats. I tear/cut mine up in very small chunks (1"x 1") and there's less waste that way. Also, because my chickens free range, they clean up what the goats drop. I tried feeding a whole mat and they wouldn't eat it. your older does may start eating it if they see the young ones eating. they get rather possessive about the food LOL.
Thanks for posting this video about fodder! Since most people have not heard of it, we appreciate anyone that is spreading the word. For those looking for larger systems, feel free to check out www.fodderworks.net. We have turn-key systems that produce anywhere from 110lbs, to many tons per day. We don't sell any smaller systems like this, but we do offer components and consulting to make systems easier to operate, or more efficient.
What is a good place to buy organic non GMO seeds by the pound
I have done this too. But I did mine like you started out just put holes in one end of each tub and the water went down to the catch tub . But I just rinsed once a day. 1n7 days the barely was 6 to 7 inches tall . And I only run maybe 1 gallon on each rinse . By feeding the chickens this thru winter I was getting almost 100% egg production plus I was giving them 14 hrs of light every day. I had 25 layers I I would get 24 eggs a day. All thru winter. I do like the way that you are doing it in this video.
Love the simplicity of this system! You might try spraying sunflower seeds with hydrogen peroxide for any mold/fungus problem. Also I have had problems with gnats. Gonna try diamotcious earth sprinkled over top. Love the cleanliness of the white tubs.
Dont use diatomaceous earth, it's a great idea but it doesn't work when it's wet.
Great video. Thanks for sharing.
Have you worked out how much barley you would have to allow to go to seed to harvest a year's worth of seed?
You could stick an aquarium powerhead($10 used) on a hose and spare yourself from having to lift the buckets that high. Just a quick thought for my fellow short people or folks with bad shoulders. You could even stick one on a timer and get some automation out of it.
Yeo, no question it is a lot of lifting in this system...and the outout is rabbit meat?
Good idea
Thanks for the video. you only water twice a day ? do the seed not dry out in between each rinse?
Good stuff, I need to add fodder to my chickens and pigs diet.
Great ideas here and the only thing I could think to add would be another foot of height...maybe an upper shelf added and using the bottom tank to hold a little extra water with a small (fish tank style) pump that will flow the water UP to the top, a little piping to spread the water across the top and then a continuous flow system (add a timer if you wish - 15min each two hours) This will save water and allows adding things like worm compost tea or seaweed concentrate into the water for added growth if desired. Just water alone would be fine too. Just a thought. Hope you find it useful. I use the idea and have the rack fitted into an aquaponics system that also feeds my other grow beds. The fodder us used to feed chickens, (wheat and barley and triticale), rats (snake food for the local pet stores get the sunflowers) and sheep who get chick peas, barley, sunflower and triticale at different times. Any waste goes to the worm farm or the compost. This is a sub tropical area so all this gets done outdoors or undercover. The fodder rack is in an old shipping container.
+Franklin Anders Solid ideas. I would at least put some drip nipples in the bottom of the bucket and hang it over the trays. It could be left there and filled with a hose. Time lapsed watering, labor savings, and water savings. Not as good as your idea, but less involved, and a little more affordable.
+Levi Hulsey What I want to do is add another shelf and attach some plumbed piping to it, maybe to some lightweight sprinklers to drip the water on timers to the bins. That's going to require some plumbing work to make sure I can still utilize my sink independently. So far the work I do (about 3 minutes in the morning, 10 minutes in the evening) hasn't been troublesome enough to want to go to that expense yet.
I was under the impression that you had more time in your daily chores that than. However, if a couple hours work on a Saturday afternoon saves you a hundred hours over the life of the project, I would say it would be a worthy investment. BTW, thanks for sharing what you've learned with us.
Hiya, Really enjoy your channel, well done. Just a question on temperature. I'm on the east coast (Sunshine Coast) Australia average. 32-36dg in a shaded shed area. I'm really having a spot of trouble with my fodder growing. Drys or ferments to often. What temperature do you fine most desirable to growing? To address the fermentation I'm going to change to your tray suggestion here on this video. So hopefully that improves. Is there a calculation of water volume to fodder growing to ensure they are watered enough? Thanks matey.
I'm going to buy the exact totes and wire shelf and set up a system exactly like this. I don't have a drain in my floor so I'm thinking I can take an in-drilled tote and put it on the bottom, then dump it into a 5 gallon bucket before I flush again. I'm also thinking you don't need to use three gallons, seems like just one gallon would work? I'm also thinking of putting a large pan on the top, similar to your drain pan on the bottom, but drilling holes over each section. That way you can just dump three gallons into one big reservoir on top and it can water all three stacks at once. I'll be using this to feed my cows and chickens, I'm going to try to start with oats since the feed store sells it for about $14 for 50 pounds, but I found a guy on Craig's List that sells barley by the ton for $200. That's only ten cents per pound, so $5 for 50 pounds! I'm planning on storing it in metal trash cans in my garage. I also sell hay out of my barn on the weekends, I'm thinking I may be able to sell some of this and make a nice profit in addition to feeding it to my animals.
Do you add any thing to the overnight soaking water to prevent molding later on? I’ve read some use a slash of bleach. Thoughts?
Don't know what You are doing about how feeding the goats out of trays worked out but I was thinking about the mortar mixing totes from HD or Lowe's they much more sturdy than storage totes
Fodder newbie here, I am wondering if the lights stay on 24-7? Would growing near a window be enough light? What temperature do you keep the room at?
do roots grow into the drain holes?
Since there are lot of holes on the trays. During harvest time was there an instance that some roots stuck on the holes which make the fodder hard to pullout of the tray?
Just a thought. Instead of soaking day one seeds in a bucket, just add another row to your shelf and put one of the trays with holes into one without holes. Add your seed and fill with water to soak. Day two, just pick up the top tray, let water drain, and move it to the day two spot. That way no separate bucket.
Also, just curious why you do not put the seeds on the bottom and move the growing trays up? This way the trays on the top two shelves...that seem to get the most light...would grow better.
Should all the water totally drain out of every pan or does some stay for the seeds to soak up? We have a system like yours but with Sterilite storage trays (13x23x6"). Drilled 1/8th in holes in the bottom (probably over 200 holes) but noticed today that even 1 hour after pouring the water through there is still maybe 1/2-1 cup of water in the tray. Should we add more holes? Make the holes bigger? or is that water ok?
How much seed do you soak the night before to get enough to fill a tub? How much were you using to fill out the seed trays that you were using before? We are wanting to grow Barley fodder for our rabbits and pigs, especially the pigs since they eat so so so much. I likely will have to start with the seed trays because of expenses right now.
I would use a solid tray under my drained seed tray to go from the sink to rack.
Would it be easier to put the barley or sunflower seeds in cheese cloth when you soak?
Great videos again man!
Question: Is barley fodder the only thing you feed you rabbits during the winter or is that all the time? And do you feed them anything else ever?
We started raising meat rabbits earlier this spring and ave been feeding pellets. But the fodder is cheaper. Do ya us e any health issues with the rabbits and can the babies eat the fodder when their weaned off of momma?
Thanks man!
hello tactical homesteader..have you tried with corn seeds?I have tried with corn seeds..and the result is pretty good..
Thank You Great video. Question I'm starting to raise chickens. At what age do you start feeding your chic's the fodder? Also is that all you feed the full-grown chickens and chic's.
I am not sure if you are still doing this. But one small thing you could do is add an empty tote at the top and just run a hose to it. Turn on the hose and it will water through the holes. That will keep that top tote with seeds from being swirled and you having to re-spread the seeds around, and save the effort of hauling water up a ladder twice a day.
You must not have to pay for water? Or generally don't care about water waste?
Where do you get bulk seed for this? Maybe it's just my area, but I'm having a difficult time finding inexpensive bulk seed locally.
first drill size you mention is an inch..I do believe that may be a bit large for the seeds..lol
Thank you for your detailed info. Are you raising layers or broilers.And if they are broilers, does the sunflower sprouts fulfill their nutrient needs. Thanks
I do not raise broilers, just layers, but no, the sprouts do not fill their needs. They still need a diverse diet with pasture and some time of grain mix.
are those grow lights on the wall behind the shelving unit?
did you use some sort of template for the drilling? nice and even stuff!
+John Paul SMajda No, just eyeballed it. I did the first one, and tried to put each hole about an inch apart from the next one. Then I counted the number of holes and just duplicated that count on the rest of them so I'd get the same water flow rate from every tray. I think I came out with 11x15 as far as the pattern goes.
So during the winter you strictly use the black oil sunflower seeds and nothing else?Is that there only feed during that time? And where do ya get that seed from? Also I've been doing the fodder for my chickens and for the first few weeks it was great but all of a sudden it seems like after the 7 days growth it dosent grow as thick or as tall. Kinda sparce. Im doing everything like you do and it fine for a while but now not so good. No mold and plenty of light and about 70 in the house. Any suggestions? Thanks.
not enough nutrients
do we need sunlight to grow those? if does, how long a day?
Guns! Chickens! America!
Great Video! I like the new and improved system. Just curious...You used to have the fully grown fodder on top and new seed at the bottom. Why the reversal? Does it make difference? Thanks...JJ
I don't think it matters. For my workflow, it just seems easier putting them in at the top and pouring the water flush through the newest seeds first.
Thank you for the response. I was just curious if you found new seeds on top to be a better system. Glad to hear either way works...JJ
Also,and pardon all the queations here. Im just trying to get this down and im almost there but I couldnt figure out your measurements on the seed you are using. The amount of ounces on the cup your using didint add up right on the amount of seed you were using. Or at least it sounded that way to me. Could ya clear that up for me. I just figured the amount of ounces in the cup would be the same as the amount of seed you were using times the amount of cups you used. Mabe im using to much seed and thats why mine is not all sprouting or getting as tall or thick. Thanks again.
For the sunflower fodder, do you use shell or shelled seeds?
Looks like they are in the shell to me. I would be interested in which specific variety and where he sourced them for the best price, personally.
Nice setup! Where did you get the rack of 7 shelves? I've only been able to find 6 tiers of shelves. Thx
+Jada Myers Never mind...I got it. :)
lol yeah listen to the video...
What's the intro tune? It sounds really familiar
Ok. So 1st of all Love all your videos on this and your other stuff. You really know your stuff. And I'm in the process of setting up my fodder exactly like yous. Your's makes perfect sense compared to to the others I've seen.
2nd. I understand the soaking the barley seeds over night and then rinsing them in the morning and putting them in the tubs and running fresh water over them and letting it run down through all the other trays and rotating the tubs everyday.
But my dumb question is (cause I guess I'm not getting it lol) what are the 6 buckets for. I assumed by the video you just scooped up how ever much seed ya needed and dumped it in a bucket and filled it with water and let it sit over night and then so on. Guess I was getting lost on the whole buckets? Sorry gonna have to explain it in lay man terms. lol Thanks man.
+Rich The six buckets was my first try at fodder. I overlayed that video as part of the explanation with me changing techniques to expand size and correct issues that I had. With the six buckets, I was essentially soaking overnight in a 7th bucket, and then rinse/draining for 6 days in the ones with holes.
After moving away from that, now that I'm using the Rubbermaid bins, I'm using 3 buckets for soaking, one for each column. Two columns of barley and one column of sunflowers. 7 shelves gives me 7 days of grow-out after the soak for the barley, but I only do 5 days for the sunflowers for the chickens.
Basically, if you set up the shelving like I did here, you just need one bucket for soaking per column of trays.
+Rich Ok, i have my fodder system up and running. Iv'e bought those rubber made tubs and they work great. I''ve been following your example and doing great so far. Lights up and running and flushing in the morning when i get home,( I work nights) And putting out a new batch of fodder then flush before I go to work in the evening. I was wondering what the humidity should be. Since its still winter here and I'm doing this inside the house where its 69 most of the time. Just didnt know what the humidity should be. And is 69 to cold? Thanks!
69 is fine. The room I have mine in fluctuates between 67-73 depending on the day. As long as you don't have mold, the humidity is fine. If you start seeing mold, you might see about dropping it down with a de-humidifier.
What temp. do you keep your room? What is the coolest temp. you can use to grow the Fodder?
+Beverly Hughes I believe most people try to keep the temp between 60-75. In the dead of winter, my heater struggles to keep it above 66-67.
For someone who lacks the space for this system in the house/garage. Would maybe a greenhouse be suitable for growing the fodder in the winter months.
Zachary Harms yes it would work fine
Can you tell me how many square inches would yield a pound of fodder
Seven years later...do you still do fodder? If not why? If yes, have you had any problems with mold?
Not fond of the gun thing in the beginning, can't relate that to the video. The video was sorta quick, I didn't understand what a couple comments were but it was still pretty good. Use all the waste water in your garden.
How many rabbits are you feeding? how many servings come from a tray?
So if I understand this correctly. Your simply, soaking the sunflower seeds over night. They get rinsed, and then the seeds are simply poured into the plastic tote. There's no grow medium or anchor to hold the seeds. Then your simply pouring water into the totes twice a day, and allowing the sunflower seeds to sprout for five days. So the purpose of this is to double the volume, which reduces the feed cost, and some would say, has a higher nutritional value since the grains are sprouted.
Be nice if all those healthy oils and Omega 3's in Sunflower Seeds could make Crispy Chicken Skin healthy....
+P McAuley That's it. No growth medium. Just flush & drain water a couple of times per day.
+The Tactical Homesteader I'll have to remember and give it a try when I get my birds. Thank You, it's a great idea.
+P McAuley I've heard that skin and fat from "organically" raised animals is actually quite healthy (aside from the caloric considerations). Chemicals/steroids in commercial applications are stored in the animals' fat and that's why fat from commercially grown critters should be avoided. We are after all better suited to use fat as energy, so if you have access to clean animal skin/fat, I say go for it. Just dial your food intake back if you introduce a lot of fat into your diet as to keep from adding extra pounds since fat is very calorie dense.
Patrick - Good editing. Some would say has higher NV. What do you say?
Be careful there's a weight limit on those ladder
How much would 1 tray feed rabbits, and chickens. Could you break it down that way?
I love this design and want to build one myself when I move to my farm. One question though. Could you not just take that first tote and drop it into another undrilled tote and soak the seeds overnight and then lift them out the next morning?
+faylow105 Probably could if you have the space to do that.
where did you get the trays or how did you make them
+brantley tinnin Check the video description for the Amazon link to the trays and the bulkhead fitting that I used in the catchment bin to adapt the hose.
Thanks man I am trying to get into it but haven't found trays like that before
Wut is better for chicken barley or wheat
What is better for humans? Sprouted or unsprouted? Fresh greens or dead meat?
where do u get your grain,,is it feed store grain?thanks
+jeanne miller No, most feed store grain is not sproutable. I buy the barley online from a couple of sources (groworganic.com, and hancockseed.com). The sunflowers you can find at Walmart, Lowe's, Tractor Supply etc, in their bird seed sections. It is sproutable.
ok,,,thank u
jeanne miller I have chickens only so I will try sunflower seeds
Ok one more question. (You hope) lol. For right now I only have 12 chickens.Would one of those size tubs you use be enough fodder for them a day? I'm trying to be rid of store bought feed totaly. Or should they have more?I don't want to make more tjan I need a day but wamt to make sure they have enough. Thanks again.
+Rich I have been giving two tubs of the barley to the rabbits (about 30 rabbits) and handful of that to the chickens. We have about 55 chickens right now that are getting a single tub of sunflowers. I will probably keep doing it this way for a while longer, and then look at starting some outside when the weather is warmer to add a few more sunflowers in the mix.
Just sayin... dilute bleach soak before hand and a fresh water run each and every time can save the headache of mold growth
Still doing this?
Seems like you could cut your water waste in half.
How much does an adult rabbit need daily ?
+SilvercreekQRC It's going to depend on the breed & size - A good rule of thumb that we go by is 5% of bodyweight - so a 10 lb rabbit would get a half-pound of fodder. Pregnant & nursing mothers also get more, as well as the growers. Last, I would just pay attention to what they eat. If they are eating every bit of it, you might give them more. Mostly, what we see is a little bit left in their cage that we cleanout the next day and give to the chickens when we give them their fresh fodder.
@@tacticalhomesteader I know this video is older, and I apologize for that, but in the video I saw a spray bottle that looked like it said "bleach" on it. In some other videos, I know that ppl use bleach in their original soak of the seeds, and I'm wondering if you do, or is the spray what you use to mist them with as they are growing, or is it just for sanitizing trays. Thank you so much!!
Too much water wasted
it's more like to pounds of actual feed per tray, around 80% of each tray is water weight, no real nutrition in water, can't call it feed, sorry brother