Let’s dive into a hands-on project that will change the way you feed your small livestock—a DIY fodder system! Whether you have rabbits, chickens, or goats, this simple, affordable, and efficient system can boost both the health of your animals and your wallet. Let’s jump in!
Why Grow Fodder?
Fodder is a fantastic way to increase the nutrition of your animal feed. It’s easy to grow, cost-effective, and best of all, it boosts the protein and fiber content of whatever seed you use. For example, barley—a common seed used for fodder—can triple in nutritional value once sprouted. Not to mention, it improves digestibility, going from about 40% to 80%! Another bonus is the yield: a 50-pound bag of barley can produce up to 300 pounds of feed once sprouted. Pretty cool, right?
Seeds for Fodder: What to Choose
While barley is a popular choice, you can also use wheat, oats, or black oil sunflower seeds. I’m partial to black oil sunflower seeds because they’re affordable, easy to find, and work just as well. Tonight, I’ll be showing you how to build this system using sunflower seeds, but feel free to adapt it to whatever seed you have on hand.
Supplies You’ll Need
For this project, I’m going to be using PVC pipes to construct the system. It’s cheap, easy to work with, and doesn’t mold like wood can when exposed to water. If you do opt for wood, be sure to use mildew-resistant paint to keep things clean.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- PVC pipe (½ inch in diameter, available in 10-foot sections)
- PVC elbow joints (90-degree, 8 pieces)
- PVC T-joints (28 pieces if you’re building a 7-tier system)
- Plastic tubs (I used 10-quart dishpans from the dollar store)
- Drill with a small bit to create drainage holes
- Sharpie and measuring tape
- PVC cutter (optional but handy)
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Step-by-Step: Building Your Fodder System
1. Cut Your PVC
Measure and cut your PVC into the following lengths:
- Seven-inch pieces for the vertical supports
- 13-inch pieces for the horizontal bars across each tier
- 12-inch pieces for the bottom frame
You’ll need about 35 feet of PVC to build a 7-tier system, so grab a couple of 10-foot lengths at the store.
2. Assemble the Frame
Start by constructing the base. Use 90-degree elbow joints for the corners and connect the horizontal and vertical PVC pieces with T-joints. Assemble each tier with 13-inch horizontal pieces and seven-inch vertical supports. Continue stacking until you have enough tiers for your needs.
Make sure to leave the top elbows and bottom corners unglued in case you want to expand or modify the system later.
3. Drill Holes in the Pans
Use a small drill bit to create multiple drainage holes in each pan, except for the bottom catch pan. These holes will allow water to filter through each tier, keeping the seeds moist without flooding them.
4. Pop the Pans In
Place each drilled pan onto the PVC supports. The lips of the pans should rest comfortably on the horizontal bars. Make sure your pans are aligned so the water can easily flow through each layer.
Seed Soaking and Feeding Rotation
For the demonstration, I used black oil sunflower seeds, but the process is similar for other seeds. Here’s the basic procedure:
- Soak your seeds: Measure out about two cups of seed for each pan and soak them in water for 12–24 hours. Soaking them longer will improve germination.
- Water your seeds: Twice a day, pour about a half-gallon of water into the top pan. The water will trickle down through each layer, nourishing the seeds and keeping everything moist. Rotate the pans daily—move the top pan to the bottom and advance each pan upward.
- Harvest: After about 7-9 days (depending on the seed type), you’ll have a nice mat of sprouts ready for feeding. Simply remove the mat, cut it into squares, and serve it to your animals. They’ll eat the whole thing, roots and all!
Benefits of Fodder
Not only is fodder economical, but it’s also incredibly nutritious. Feeding your animals fresh sprouts instead of dry feed boosts their overall health, improves digestion, and reduces waste. Plus, it’s super satisfying to watch those seeds sprout into lush greens right before your eyes!
Fodder Nutrition:
- Rabbits: Feed 3-5% of their body weight in fodder, plus a hay ration.
- Chickens: Feed 2-3% of their body weight in fodder, along with grit and calcium.
- Goats: They’ll love it too, and you can mix it into their regular feed.
Cost Breakdown
The best part? This setup is incredibly affordable. For about $35, you can build a 7-tier system that will last you a long time. The PVC, elbows, T-joints, and pans are all inexpensive, and the seeds are readily available at most stores. It’s an ideal project if you’re looking to cut down on feed costs without sacrificing quality.
Maintenance and Tips
To keep your system running smoothly, make sure to clean out the catch pan daily. The water runoff can build up a bit of grime over time, so give it a quick rinse. Also, be sure to have good air circulation to avoid mold. A small fan can help prevent any issues. If you do encounter mold, you can rinse your seeds with a diluted bleach solution before soaking, but many prefer natural alternatives like apple cider vinegar.
Final Thoughts
Building a fodder system doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With just a little effort, you can create a setup that produces fresh, nutritious feed for your animals year-round. Whether you’re feeding rabbits, chickens, or even goats, this system will quickly pay for itself in both health benefits and feed savings.
Got any questions? Drop them in the comments below and I’ll be happy to help!
Happy homesteading!