The hydroponic fodder is young tender grass grown from cereal grain, mostly barley. In essence, it replaces grains like a dairy meal, pig’s feeds, and poultry feed concentrates. Globally, hydroponic fodder is considered to be the best livestock feed. As the name say it all hydro means water meaning to say we grow this only using water not soil
This system is a temperature and humidity controlled growing room that is designed for sprouting grains.
How it works?
A selection of grains is put into treated trays without soil and sprayed with a nutrient-rich water solution at predetermined intervals. The temperature and humidity inside the hydroponic fodder system are controlled using only a hydro-net and a hydro-cloth, to ensure higher growth and the best nutritional value possible.
There is no need for electricity in the growing process. You will need a reliable source of potable water.
After only 5 to seven days, the fodder is removed from the tray and can be fed to the animal. The animal eats everything (i.e. roots, leaves and nuts); therefore, the hydroponic fodder system is waste-free, 100% sustainable and cost-effective
IMPORTANCE OF HYDROPONIC FODDER
Reduces water usage,
marginal land use,
constant food supply,
Reduced growth time,
reduced labor requirement,
cost effective,
high nutritional value,
completely natural.
HOW TO PLANT HYDROPONIC FODDER
You need a bleach (jik), pillow case , bucket, wheat or barley or maize seeds .
Pour the seeds say 2kgs of it. Be it maize seeds or wheat in a container and remove any dirty eg husks after that pour your seeds in a pillow case and tie it so that seeds don’t fell of.
Take water in a bucket 3 Liters and pour your breach 1 cup in water ( the cover of that bottle,here am using jik as my bleach).
Soak your seeds in that water where you added the bleach. This helps to prevent the moulds wich are very harmful to your poultry and animal. Remember this fodder can be fed to both animal and chickens.
You soak the seeds just for 5 to 10 minutes and then clean it thoroughly until no smell of jik is present .
Now pour the seeds in a clean bucket that was pre washed with bleach.
Cover the bucket with cloth on top and leave it at room temperature for 2 days. Make sure every 12 hours you pour a handful of water to your seeds and shake them to ensure good distribution of water
After 2 days you notice the seeds have short . Now its time to transfer them to the tray.
Make sure your tray is designed in a such way that it is perforated in one side to allow the follow of water in the other side
Your try should be 4 feet by 1 foot and 2inches high for 2kgs of seeds. Spread the seeds on your tray nicely and leave the space so that the roots can’t block the perforation to allow proper drainage of water.
You can water it 3 times a day and make sure the tray is in a shed.
On day 5 your fodder is ready.
Your 2 kgs seeds gives you 7 to 10 kgs fodder.
You can feed this to your poultry or livestock.
For example you can weigh 3 kgs folder and give to 1 pig, so if you have 9 kgs it means you can feed 3 pigs
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