We are constantly looking at different ways we can evolve and improve our homestead to be more sustainable. One of the areas we have focused on is our chickens. We already improved our watering system by attaching it to a rain barrel but were stumped when it came to feed.
Our chickens appear to be perpetually ravenous. This wasn’t a hug problem in the spring and summer when they could forage, and we could feed them out of our garden. But when fall rolled around, we were spending a small fortune on our feed bill.
To help alleviate this problem we took to the internet and did some research. Growing fodder came up repeatedly, so we decided to give it a try.
What is fodder?
Fodder is any sort of food product that is used to feed animals, primarily livestock. In this instance, we are referring to growing fodder. There are many grains available that can be sprouted to increase the amount of bulk you are able to provide for nutrition.
For example, we can take a twenty-five-pound bag of feed and turn it into approximately one hundred pounds of food by sprouting the grains. That means that instead of paying $.32 a pound of feed we were paying almost $.08 a pound. Not only can you cut costs, but it can also help make your homestead more sustainable.
What are the benefits of using fodder?
Grains become more digestible when they are sprouted and turned into fodder. This means that your animals will be able to absorb more nutrients and will receive more nutritional value per capita of product.
By sprouting your grains, you are also increasing the water weight and further hydrating your livestock. This can help their over-all vigor, increase the health of their feathers/coats, and, in the case of chickens, help develop better yolks.
What can I use for fodder?
You have several different options when it comes to grains. You can use:
- Wheat
- Rye
- Barely
- Oats
- Sunflowers
- Alfalfa
- Millet
- Clover
We chose to use barely as it was readily available in our area and a twenty-five-pound bag could be purchased from our local feed store for $8.
How can I set up a system?
During our research, we saw huge, elaborate hydroponic systems set up in greenhouses used to feed entire herds of cattle. While this was outside our realm of possibility, we also discovered small systems created from trays and by using mason jars.
We have a fairly small flock of around twenty chickens. Since we weren’t sure that we would be sticking with a system, we decided to start by using mason jars. Our only initial investment, besides buying grain, was to purchase sprouting lids which we easily found on amazon.
Using mason jars
There were several different reasons that I enjoyed using mason jars for growing fodder. First of all, we already had a few extra lying around and needed that cabinet space. Secondly, we had an additional roommate and our house was quickly running out of room. I was able to place the mason jars in a window. They took up very little real estate and, when we had guests, I just shoved them behind my buffet.
There were also several drawbacks. While it was possible to drain the jars with the sprouting lids, it was difficult to get all of the water out. This led to a mold issue. Our first few batches had to be trashed.
Another problem we ran into was gnats. It is hard to say if it was because the weather was warmer when we started this system, but our house quickly became infested. We had a similar issue with our compost bin and were able to combat it with a mix of dish soap and apple cider vinegar.
Using trays
We saw many people use plastic trays to set up their fodder systems. They then drilled holes in the bottom and placed the trays on shelving units. While we love DIYing, when I priced out the material cost, I discovered we could purchase a brand-new unit for cheaper than it would cost to buy and repurpose.
We bought a four-tray system that was on sale to increase the amount of fodder we could produce. It uses a double hydroponic tray that is divided into two layers; the upper layer uses a grid to hold the seeds and the water can then drain into the bottom tray. Each tray has a rubber plug and you can drain water into a bowl by tilting the tray.
This system worked substantially better than the mason jars. Mold only became an issue when we forgot to drain the trays and we had no problems with gnats. However, the trays we bought where somewhat flimsy and tilting the trays to drain felt like playing Russian roulette. If the grains weren’t rooted well enough, they would spill all over our dining room floor.
How to Start
Growing fodder is extremely easy.:
- Soak your preferred grain in warm water for 12-24 hours. We found 12 hours to be the perfect amount of time and added in a capful of apple cider vinegar when soaking to help combat mold. Using bleach is also an option.
- Drain your trays. Carefully dislodge the rubber plug and tilt each tray. Catch excess water with a bowl and make sure the tray is empty of all water.
- Spray your grain with water once a day, focusing on areas where the grain appears to be dry. Make sure you only spray to keep the grain damp. You don’t want your trays to become water-logged.
- Keep trays in an area where the optimal temperature is between 60 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit. Any warmer and you run the risk of growing mold.
- The grains should begin to sprout on their third or fourth day of consistent spraying. Once they being to sprout, you should move your trays in an area where they receive sunlight. If you don’t have a spot where you get optimal natural light, you can also use grow lights.
- Within 7-8 days your fodder should be ready!
Using a fodder system
We produce enough fodder with a four-tray system to give to our chickens as a feed supplement a few times a week. This will never take the place of grain and shouldn’t; fodder does not provide all of the nutrients your animals need and only provides a limited number of essential amino acids.
Fodder is ideal to use in the winter months when your chickens aren’t able to forage for fresh vegetation. This is especially important if your layers are still producing and will give you a deep, orange yolk that many find difficult to reproduce in only grain-fed chickens.
Have you ever used a fodder system? Which type do you prefer?
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