#fooder

[thefiestyfoodie]

Whuups ! sorry about that. some one else must have gotten alohold of the library computer. - the fiesty foodie

[urban-homesteading]

What Seed Is Best For Fodder?

I used a bunch of different kinds when I first started, such as sunflower seeds, different bird seeds, etc. The best luck I had was with wheatgrass seed, the second best was barley seeds. Often I mix them together for a nice combination. Wheat grows a great root mat (the white root system at the bottom). Barley roots aren’t as big but the blade of the grass is bigger than the wheat. The critters like them both.

How long does it take to grow fodder?

From seed to feed is generally a total of seven days. A couple of variables will play a role in your fodder development such as your pre-soak, the type of seed you use, how often you water it, and even the temperature. As we mention under ‘tips’, try to start a new batch of seeds every three days so you always have a fresh supply for your critters.

It really isn’t complicated,  just grow it in a tray with holes in the bottom.  Rinse it twice a day and put it in a window for the sun. From start to finish, you’ll usually have the above tray in 7 days.

How to Build

Buy one of those plastic drawer storage containers.  (Preferably from goodwill or Facebook marketplace so that it is used) A 13×13 three drawer storage bin is going to be ideal for most homes. 

Drill or burn holes in the bottom of the plastic bin (You can use a hot nail) no bigger than the seeds you are using, otherwise, the seeds will fall through.

Wash your bin and drawers with soap and water before you add your fodder seeds.  Spraying vinegar and allowing to dry in the sun will add extra germ protection.  It will smell strongly of vinegar, but I promise that the smell will very quickly evaporate as the vinegar does.

How to Grow Using Hydroponics

Hydroponic means to grow plants without soil. You can also grow fodder all year long so your pets can have access to fresh fodder no matter what the weather is like.

Fodder Directions

To start, fill a wide mouth quart mason jar half full of dry seed.

Add water until it’s an inch or so above the seeds and stir It around.

Place a screen lid on top of the mason jar and let it soak for 24 hours.

After 24 hours, drain the water

Rinse and drain the seeds.

Turn the jar upside down and pound on the side a couple of times.

The air pockets stop the bottom from getting compacted. It helps the seed sprout evenly. Otherwise, you’d have lots of sprouts in the top half and little in the bottom.

Fill the jar with water and try to gently work the sprouted seeds out.

Pour the seeds in your fodder tray

Add water in the tray and smooth the seeds out so they cover the bottom of the tray evenly.

I recommend you do this over a sink so the water can drain

Let them sit for a bit and then tip them so the water drains out the back corner.

Place the trays in the plastic drawer that they came with and sit it in a window.

How often should I water fodder?

After your initial soak for your seeds and they are in the sprouting tray, you will want to water your fodder twice a day.

Rinse and drain them twice a day, once in the morning and later at night time. At night they can sit in the kitchen sink and drain and be ready for their morning soak.

Preventing Mold In Fodder

The most common complaint when growing fodder is mold issues. Mold can occur due to a variety of reasons such as bad or moldy seed, it was kept too wet, or too much seed added to the fodder tray.

Here are some tried and true tips to prevent mold issues when growing fodder.

Rinse the fodder real good with the kitchen sink sprayer and blasts any mold away. In 7 days you can have wonderful fodder that your critters will love.

Add apple cider vinegar to the water when soaking your grains.

Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda per gallon of water and spray on the plants daily.

On the initial soak to your seeds, add a splash of hydrogen peroxide. Let it soak in the peroxide water for about 6-8 hours, then rinse.

Keep good circulation around your fodder.

Only spread a single layer of seeds in your fodder tray. Overcrowing promotes mold.

If you get mold on your fodder after your grains have sprouted, add peroxide to your water and let it soak in your tray before draining.

Growing Fodder-Trouble Shooting Tips

When soaking your fodder seeds, you’ll see stuff floating on top, pour this off.  The less gunk in the seed, I believe, gives you less trouble with mold.

If you dump the seeds in the tray too early it slows the process down by a day or two. If you dump them too late they are a bear to get out of the jar.

Screen mason Jar tops make draining the seeds easy during the soaking process.

I like to give my fodder seeds a head start by keeping them in a mason jar until they get a decent start on roots. Usually for about 2 days.

Sometimes if I wait too long (a couple of days) to add my fodder seeds to the tray, I have to use a spoon to get them out.

Try not to let older fodder drain into new fodder.

Start a new batch every couple of days so you’re in constant supply and never run out.

How Much Fodder To Feed?

You can grow fodder as a snack or as a regular staple to your animals’ diet. I feed three rabbits and 8 chickens, one batch is a 3 day supply, I use it as a supplement, not all their feed. When feeding fodder, our rabbits get about a 3×3 square and the chickens share a 3x 6 square.

One recommendation to give an animal 1/100th of its body weight in fodder. Other recommendations I’ve seen are 2% of the animal’s body weight in fodder per day. I honestly don’t believe your animals will overeat on fodder, especially if they have a well-rounded diet. Everything in moderation.

[cocinaconoscar]

Vaaaaaaaaaaamos a por una nueva semana con alegría y las pilas cargadas 😉💪🏻😎 . #desayuno #breakfast #tomate #quesofresco #jamonyork #aguacate #avocado #tomato #tea #breakfastlover #breakfasttime #desayunosaludable #healthybreakfast #simplebreakfast #desayunosencillo #buenosdias #goodmorning #bonjour #myrealfood #fooder #foodphotography #foodinstagram #lovephoto #lovefood #food #realfooder #instafood #instaphoto . #nosvemosporlasredes🍽️ (en Santoña) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQFpVrOgXuC/?utm_medium=tumblr

[jennhoney]

I feel no god in this Applebee’s tonight.

The hostess asked us if it was a special occasion and I’ve been traveling all day, wearing yoga pants rolled up to my knees and a baggy t-shirt and no makeup and all I could think was, “it is the special occasion of we should have eaten hours ago please food us and don’t sing or clap at us.”

[alpez-cheesecake]

I was bored you see

[thefooders]

⭐️ Ok ⭐️ . Tag a friend who would love this❗️ . 🍃the Fooder ®🍴 #thefooder #dubai #mydubai #food #Fooder #chef #restaurant #dubaichef #dessert #pastry #chefs #paris #sheraton #dubaifoodie #London #italy #instafood #foodie #cafe #cuisine #chocolate #ballerina #eggplant #photography #italian #design #photographer #graffiti #everthing #ok (at Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

[cocinaconoscar]

Buenosssssss diiitas 🌅😉 . #desayuno #breakfast #cafeconleche #coffeewithmilk #tostada #toast #aove #happysaturday #buenosdias #goodmorning #egunon #bonjour #myrealfood #fooder #foodphotography #foodinstagram #lovephoto #lovefood #food #realfooder #instafood #instaphoto #sitegustodalelike . #nosvemosporlasredes🍽️ https://www.instagram.com/p/CPus1qlgv8k/?utm_medium=tumblr

[cocinaconoscar]

#myrealfood #fooder #foodphotography #foodinstagram #lovephoto #lovefood #food #realfooder #instafood #instaphoto . #nosvemosporlasredes🍽️ (en Santorcaz, Madrid, Spain) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJG3-Kng77V/?igshid=19gqj53c925za