Winter provides a multitude of problems with livestock, and the process of "over-wintering" animals requires the expectation that they will "earn their keep" after the winter season has passed. With egg-laying chickens, this is expected, which is why we chose to over-winter. However, they lose their ability to forage for fresh greens and bugs, which leads them to be totally reliant on what we bring to them in the winter coop.
While we love our feed (locally grown and organic), we like to include variety and offering green options will help to keep the nutritional value of the eggs up in the stratosphere of goodness. Therefore, one has to grow the greens for them. (Editor's Obvious Note: Michigan winters are not a good time to grow greens outside for a variety of reasons. Unless you have a cold frame - FUTURE PROJECT!).
The best way to grow greens quickly is with a sprouting fodder system; however, we are just shy from being able to afford one of these. In case you were wondering, "just shy" means we are nowhere close to be able or willing to buy this.
As usual, just add good ole' fashion ingenuity--and a father who has a bunch of junk lying around.
The main factors for a fodder system are to have something that holds seeds, is slanted to direct water, and has holes to release water, as well as options to have multiple days of growth (5-8 days depending on what quality of fodder you desire).
The best way to grow greens quickly is with a sprouting fodder system; however, we are just shy from being able to afford one of these. In case you were wondering, "just shy" means we are nowhere close to be able or willing to buy this.
As usual, just add good ole' fashion ingenuity--and a father who has a bunch of junk lying around.
The main factors for a fodder system are to have something that holds seeds, is slanted to direct water, and has holes to release water, as well as options to have multiple days of growth (5-8 days depending on what quality of fodder you desire).
My materials included the following: salvaged Christmas tree bowls (don't ask), a permanent marker, an awl, and an old shelf that was originally used to hold merchandise in a store and was provided by the distributor--so we didn't directly pay for it! Other materials included my stove, tin snips, and 1" x 1" pieces of wood and pine strapping (about 1/2" in thickness).
I heated the awl and used that to put in three holes in one side of the bowl. I marked this area with the marker to keep track of the drip zone. I then added the strips of wood in order to have a "Rube Goldberg" type of water path system. Side view below.
I heated the awl and used that to put in three holes in one side of the bowl. I marked this area with the marker to keep track of the drip zone. I then added the strips of wood in order to have a "Rube Goldberg" type of water path system. Side view below.
It's more visible in the pic below, but I used the tin snips to cut out part of the metal shelf to help encourage pure dripping to the bowl below.
Then I just alternated the flow down the shelf for a total of six days worth of growth. There were five days on the shelf as the bottom bowls are catchment bowls for the system water. The sixth day is actually the first day of the process--soaking the dry seeds to help induce germination. The last picture shows the current status of this project. I put the shelf up on cinder blocks to get a seventh day of growth (one day soak, six days growing) and have added a fluorescent light in front to get the sprouts green. Without this light, the sprouts and fodder did not photosynthesize. While still nutritious, they lacked some nutrition (chlorophyll) that helps turn our farm-fresh egg yolks that deep orange color.
We started off with rye seed, red and white wheat, barley, and sunflower seeds. The rye and sunflower seeds did pretty well, but I think the sunflower seeds needed another day. Wheat was not good--poor germination, which led to a stinky mess. Barley is the champ!
We started off with rye seed, red and white wheat, barley, and sunflower seeds. The rye and sunflower seeds did pretty well, but I think the sunflower seeds needed another day. Wheat was not good--poor germination, which led to a stinky mess. Barley is the champ!
This is great since it is one of the most preferred fodders for livestock. Unfortunately, though, we have been unable to find a source for organic barley seed, but we are happy to know that barley is not grown with genetically-modified seeds. Future test trials will be done using organic black beans and organic spelt from Findlay Organics.
So what are the benefits?
1. Chickens love it!
2. We love the eggs! They are noticeably different and those yolks have regained their "orangeness."
3. We are taking 12 oz. of feed every day and turning it into 48 oz. of fodder, with our best day producing six times more feed than we initially started. Obviously, this can save money in feed costs.
4. It is much healthier for the chickens.
5. It keeps me busy and is nice to grow things in the winter.
What are the problems?
1. Ideally we should be multiplying food by six times, not four. There is still more work to do to fine tune the system.
2. The seeds may not be getting watered often enough.
3. Humidity is important and it is low in our furnace-heated house.
4. Some of the levels are off on the shelves. If you look at the picture the shelves with 1" x 1" transitioning to the pine strapping have a better angle than the 1" x 1" to shelf angle. I think this may be causing water to go too fast through those.
5. This will not produce enough fodder for future animals.
So while we reap the benefits, it is back to the drawing board to try to increase the scale and efficiency.
We will likely implement the system below in the summer due to its simplicity. Give it a look, it's pretty simple.
So what are the benefits?
1. Chickens love it!
2. We love the eggs! They are noticeably different and those yolks have regained their "orangeness."
3. We are taking 12 oz. of feed every day and turning it into 48 oz. of fodder, with our best day producing six times more feed than we initially started. Obviously, this can save money in feed costs.
4. It is much healthier for the chickens.
5. It keeps me busy and is nice to grow things in the winter.
What are the problems?
1. Ideally we should be multiplying food by six times, not four. There is still more work to do to fine tune the system.
2. The seeds may not be getting watered often enough.
3. Humidity is important and it is low in our furnace-heated house.
4. Some of the levels are off on the shelves. If you look at the picture the shelves with 1" x 1" transitioning to the pine strapping have a better angle than the 1" x 1" to shelf angle. I think this may be causing water to go too fast through those.
5. This will not produce enough fodder for future animals.
So while we reap the benefits, it is back to the drawing board to try to increase the scale and efficiency.
We will likely implement the system below in the summer due to its simplicity. Give it a look, it's pretty simple.
Total Cost: Donated shelf, donated bowls, donated wood, zip strips (already had), cinder blocks (already had). While I can't say free, I didn't spend anything to make it.
Trevor
Trevor