Growing Fodder

[tigger19687]

I don't get enough sun light in the Winter to do this without a special light. And I just don't have the room
I will have to figure something out come Autumn to see about next year.

I can't afford to use the Electricity as I am hoping to have all Solar when I buy a farm. So trying to find something that will use less water and no plug in electricity.
Hoping to have a Green house by then so that may be able to work out.

 

[WindcoxAZ]

MVIMG_20180221_090508

• WindcoxAZ
• Feb 22, 2018

Fodder system

Here is what I am working with. I have a 2 bucket soaking setup. (One with holes to hold and drain grain set into a bucket without holes). Soak in warm water for 24, stirring a couple times during day. I then drain, rinse, drain the grain and lay into 10x20 tray with holes. I move the trays up one position in a serpentine pattern until they get to the top position. For watering, I have a small submersible pump set in an under bed storage tote 20"x 40". I then run tubing up to spray nozzles that are over the top. These spray into empty trays w/holes to evenly disperse the water before it goes to the trays with barley. I don't have any lights or anything and the room temp ranges from 50-65 degrees depending on outside temps. Soon I will add an automatic timer to the mix so I can leave and not worry about them getting dry

 

[jthornton]

@WindcoxAZ where did you get the trays? Do the roots grow through the holes?

JT

 

[aart]

lay into 10x20 tray with holes.

How deep is that seed?

 

[WindcoxAZ]

The seed was measured out dry enough to cover the bottom. I have since cut back the amount to about 1.5 qts on a feed scoop.

I bought the trays on Amazon. They are heavy duty trays and cost about $5 ea shipped. I drilled 18 holes in the trays. The roots start to try to plug the holes, but water still filters through. I don't remember the exact size bit I used for the holes...maybe 3/16" give or take 1/32 or so ( just grabbed the one that I felt was large enough,but not so big the seed would fall through when put in the tray.

The shelf is just made of scrap lumber I had on my property as well as old chain link fence poles that I cut down. I drilled holes in the risers with a 1 1/4" hole saw and slipped the poles through. I have room to expand one row wider and one shelf higher in the event I feel I need 2 trays per day for animals.