Feeding Fodder

GoatJunkie · #1 01/14/13, 12:05 AM

There's an ad in The Dairy Goat Journal for fodder, as a fresh type of feed that is supposed to be cost effective.

Do you feed fodder you grow yourself? If so, how time consuming is it? What benefits have you noticed in your animals? If you had it to do over, would you chose to switch to fodder again?

If you haven't considered fodder, I would like to hear your reasons. What are your hesitations about it?

CaliannG · #2 01/14/13, 01:12 AM

My only hesitation is that I have to get motivated to build the dang set-up! I have everything I need to get started in materials....just need to get some OTHER projects done first.

There are a few fodder threads both here in the goat forum, and in the "Homesteading Questions" forum if you do a search for them. Several folks here have been using it.

ani's ark · #3 01/14/13, 01:57 AM

I pull branches of leaves off our poplar trees for my goats. They are getting too tall and might blow down, so we plan to cut them down and coppice them in the future for fodder feed and firewood. I cant say I have noticed any major benefits to feeding fodder trees, other than that I trust my goats to know what is good for them and the LOOOOOVVE poplar leaves. I also figure that the trees bring minerals and vitamins up from deep in the ground and my goats can benefit from that for free!

harvestmoonfarm · #4 01/14/13, 06:30 AM

This is an excellent one created by a member of another group I belong to.

Barley Fodder System

Alice In TX/MO · #5 01/14/13, 06:50 AM

I've tried growing different grains into fodder sprouts twice. My goats won't touch it. Did wheat first, then a mix of rye and other deer fodder type grains. I don't know how you get goats to eat it.

April · #6 01/14/13, 08:08 AM

Put it in a beautiful pot and pretend like you're using it for landscaping. They'll totally eat it then!

CaliannG · #7 01/14/13, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by April

Put it in a beautiful pot and pretend like you're using it for landscaping. They'll totally eat it then!

colemangirly · #8 01/14/13, 10:59 AM

Okay, i am going to chime in here, though i rarely do. I feed fodder to my goats, chickens, and ponies. First, how did I get my goats to eat it. Well, for starters my goats will eat almost anything as they are used to getting stuff thrown into their pen all the time. But if you are not that lucky, then what you can do is slowly get them used to it. You can start by feeding them a little of the grain that you intend to sprout. Then feed them some day one sprouted grain. Next day feed them some day two sprouted grain, and so on. At first the feed will look like the grain they are used to eating. They will slowly work up to eating it as it gets longer and more grassy. Another way that will work is to put a little molasses on it for the first couple days. It seems that what the goats are not used to is eating the root mat that is a little slimy and they are not used to. It only took my goats 2 days. however, I also started them on it when it is winter with very little browse so they were happy to see it. My older does ate it first with the little ones catching on. So that covered, I don't have a big comercial unit. I am feeding 2 ponies, 12 chickens, and 10 mid sized goats (Kinders). I have a 12 tray system that I use to feed 2 trays a day and it is PLENTY for the goats and chickens. Another 6 tray unit for the ponies that get 1 tray a day will be added soon. So my unit is pvc that makes it easy to make, move, store, and waterproof!! The 12 tray unit only takes up about 2x3 foot of floor space in my basement. I put about 1.5 lbs of seed in and get about 10 lbs of feedable fodder. How much do I feed? Well, for maintenance most animals only need 1% body weight a day, and heavily working or lactating animals (milkers) need 3% body weight. So just for example a 100lb dry doe or buck would only need 1lb a day. Same animal heavily milking would need 3lb a day. Why so little you ask? That can't be enough to keep the animals healthy!! Actually it is. You cannot compare it to grain or hay as it is neither. Grain is only 30% digestable. Fodder is 80% digestable. Plus it is just plain different nutrition, so again not really compareable. So animals are getting nutrition from the fodder. Do I still feed hay? Yes, for now I do. There are differing oppinions on this. Some say that ruminants still need the longer fibers of hay for their rumens. Well, the fodder grows about 6-8 inches, that is pretty good length of fibers. Some people still feed hay but will feed lower quality as it is not needed for nutrition. Others have cut out the hay entirely. I still feed hay, because i have it to feed and also, it gives them something to do. I do not feed hay except in the winter as they have plenty of browse then. They gobble up the fodder and they since they have nothing to do they holler at me all day. I feed them free choice grass has as I have it and it gives them something to do in the winter. I have also completely stopped feeding grain, except the grains they get that didn't completely sprout. The animals are very healthy and have even upped milk production. It is a very complete feed.
Did I build my own? Well, I was going to, but I just didn't have the time, even for a small one. I kept meaning to, but something always came up. So I bought one from a lady that makes small pvc ones for homesteaders like me.
Her info is www.half-pinthomestead.com I do not get a commission or anything, I just think it is an amazing thing to do. Also, with the drought we had last summer, it is nice to only need 1/4 the hay or none at all that you might usually use. Also, I can control the type of feed that they eat even more. I use non GMO seed. It dosen't take me very long to set up each days trays and for me it just seems right when the whole point of having a few animals for my own food was to control what I ate. Them eating who knows what defeats some of the purpose.
If you have any questions I don't mind answering what I can.

Rosina
tadpole acres

KrisD · #9 01/14/13, 11:15 AM

Ok I'm doing a trial run with fodder. I am using a clear Rubbermaid tote and using Alfalfa seed since I can get it easily and locally.
I soaked the seeds over night in a big jar then drained rinsed and re soaked. I repeated every day until I saw germination which was slow about 3 days. I then spread them in my tote with just enough water to cover. Seemed that things were going slow but we keep our house at 65 degrees so it was to be expected. I then put a heating pad on low under the tote and things took right off and I have greens! I do water them everyday usually just once a day. Other then that I have zero work. I am going to put up a plastic utility shelf system and use more of the under bed storage totes that really worked well and are cheap. I found I don't need to drain the totes because at that stage hey are absorbing all the water every day.
For soaking I am using a big mason jar or big pickle jar because it's easier for me to handle and to drain I just put a handkerchief over the top hold it and pour. Easy peasy. A bucket was too cumbersome and it is hard to hold the bucket, hold something over the end so you don't dump out all your seed etc.

I am now trying other seed as well to see what germinates well. So far oats don't germinate well but alfalfa seed does great.

Frosted Mini's · #10 01/14/13, 09:23 PM

Fodder is an interesting concept to me, especially because I can get barley from a farmer pretty cheap.

I haven't tried it yet, because of space issues. I live in a basement that is pressed for space as it is.

Awnry Abe · #11 01/14/13, 09:29 PM

CaliannG, I remembered the blog where DW learned about fodder systems:

Grannysbest.blogspot.com

Her current series is about her fodder system. It is an excellent all-around blog, too.

GoatJunkie · #12 01/14/13, 09:33 PM

Thank you for the informative responses. I probably could sprout alphalfa..... I like that 80% of fodder is digested..... does this mean less goat berries Im wondering? (That would be another benefit for me as my girls live in a pen that needs mucking from time to time.....)

Thanks too for letting me know there are other conversations about this that are worth looking for....

colemangirly · #13 01/15/13, 06:21 AM

The grannys best blog is a great place to find info. This is another goat friend of mine that has taken the plunge to feed her goats this way. Her system is bigger as she is trying to feed around 100 goats, but same concept. We are currently sprouting wheat as barley is hard to get here.

Rosina

aart · #14 01/15/13, 06:55 AM

Rosina....Do you need to furnish grow lights?

KrisD · #15 01/15/13, 08:35 AM

You don't need grow lights. Any normal daylight room is enough.