Fodder solutions

Sherry in Iowa · #61 10/29/12, 11:55 AM

Thanks CaliannG. That all made sense to me and I could understand that. Now, where the heck am I going to grow enough for 10 Dexters and 10 goats?!

CaliannG · #62 10/29/12, 12:03 PM

~grinz~ Lots and lots of Jiffy Seedling trays?

I have a window, East Facing, in my living room, that I have needed to take out, re-frame and repair, because it leaks. So I have decided I am going to frame in a "greenhouse window" instead of putting a regular window in there, and do my fodder stuff there.

Another option would be a simple, hoop-style, little greenhouse if you don't have a window that needs replacing like I do.

Just run an electrical cord to it for the pump.

siletz · #63 11/01/12, 11:01 AM

I love this thread! I stumbled across DIY fodder systems about 2 weeks ago and have been researching since then. One thing I ran across was the suggestion that you feed this at 1% of their body weight each day. So, my 200 lb pig should be getting 2 lbs of fodder each day. I am just beginning this journey, so am not sure if that will be true or not, but it has given me a starting place. So far, I'm feeding my AGH pigs and chickens and both seem to be enjoying it.

Also, the seed doesn't need to have greenery to be more nutritious. Just being sprouted makes more of it's nutrition available to the animals. So, people have been mixing grains such as wheat, oats, and sunflower seeds together even though they may grow at different rates.

cathleenc · #64 11/01/12, 12:02 PM

Waiting on delivery of a 50# bag of organic wheat next week to start my first tray! Really hoping to be successfull.

Alice In TX/MO · #65 11/01/12, 02:12 PM

Does anyone have goats who actually EAT it?

Sherry in Iowa · #66 11/01/12, 02:28 PM

I'd love to try oats for the goat girls..any suggestions what other sprout the goats might be interested in? I would need something to sprout with the oats..right?

punchiepal · #67 11/01/12, 03:01 PM

Yes, Alice my goats eat it!
So far we have tried oats only 50/50 w/ barley and barley only (labeled pigeon feed). Thinking we may end up with a 75 barley /25 oats mix b/c the barley by itself tries to dry out and the oats hold water. However, the barley seems to sprout more of the seeds than the oats. Mine seem to like the barley a bit better though. To me it smells like shredded cukes. LOL Took most of them 3 tries to get going on it when we started with the oats. Morning seems to work best b/c they are more hungry. We even have some of this years babies eating it. smaller bits of sprigs to start and try to get the biggest "pig" (the one who tries everything LOL) to eat it. Soon after, more will try it.