160 lbs of fodder per day

[bjjohns]

Awesome system, thank you for sharing. I don't suppose you have more pics? I'd love to see some close up shots of your trays, sprayers, lights and gutter. Also, which trays did you get from the greenhouse mega store? I see generic trays with holes for sale all over, but I'm worried that I'll get some where the holes are too big and the seeds will fall out.

Somehow I missed this, and it is old. Sorry, hope you get this. We used the un-drilled trays from greenhouse megastore, and drilled them with a 1/16" drill bit to match our gutter system.

I'll try and get a few more pics up soon. We are getting ready to restart the system after a summer off (turns out high temps and humidity make it grow mold quickly, bad idea).

 

[bjjohns]

This is great information and very encouraging! For the last year I've been growing wheat fodder for my chickens. They LOVE it. We are planning to get sheep next year and I'd like to increase my production (lots) to supply them, too. With my little system, I soak the wheat seeds in a bleach/water mixture for 24 hours to start. I also use bleach in the drainage bin so the water doesn't have to be changed out as often because of smelliness (the system is in my kitchen). The soak in bleach prevents mold that was a problem for me at first. I just use my kitchen sink sprayer to water. Obviously my little system is going to have to go through some major changes to accommodate a flock of ruminants!
I'm looking for a system that does not stink or grow mold, that has an auto-watering system and easy drainage and cleaning, and that does not have to be rotated. Basically I want more for less work! It sounds like you have that--right?

In high temps and humidity it does grow mold. Even adding a dehumidifier did not help much. We are discussing making the system non-recycling. It only runs 4 minutes 4 times a day. When you try and use the catchment system, that tends to need cleaned often (of course added work), and really does not add much cost benefit compared to letting the system run, and then having the effluent run off to a garden or compost pile, where it could be useful. Our hold-up is that we can't quite figure out how to keep the drain line running outside to keep from freezing in the winter.

In the cold days (and nights) of the winter, mold and slime are not that big of a deal. In the spring and fall, they can be a lot of work to deal with.

Hope that helps.

 

[grover]

Thank you bjjohns! Let us know how the developments go

 

[madcow]

I am very interested in doing a fodder system for my goats and chickens. Do you have updates on how it's working for you, as I would love to know. Also, what type of seed are you using for your goats' fodder? I'm a little torn in deciding whether this system is cost effective and whether your goats are getting everything they need from the fodder and supplementing with hay. As I understand it, most goats will do ok with just browse if there are sufficient amounts available year round, which is difficult in the winter and I would think that the fodder would provide that as the main component in their diets. Any information would be appreciated! Thanks!