Recently the fodder feeding system for backyard chickens has come under my radar. Since this system is pro ported to save money while still producing quality eggs I thought I MUST try this!
A few months ago I started sprouting grains for my family’s consumption so when I discovered that the fodder feeding system for backyard chickens was so similar it seemed like a no brainer to implement.
Having only 9 chickens at the moment and the fact that it is February as I write this tutorial this fodder feeding system for backyard chickens is going to be a cheap nutritious way to feed chickens. It won’t take much time daily either.
>How To Set Up A Fodder Feeding System For Backyard Chickens
Starting with 8 buckets. I drilled holes in 6 of them. About 10 to 12 holes in the bottom of each. My buckets are dollar tree specials so don’t try to drill a hole in the very center as they tend to break. Having some left over screen material from creating dehydrator trays I just used to that to cover the hole I made learning that one should drill the center of cheap buckets.
Having 2 buckets that don’t have holes allows for one to catch the water as it drains and one to soak the seeds for 24 hours.
Here is the whole process. Get your 8 buckets. Drill holes in 6 of the buckets to allow for drainage. Day one add a cup or two of grains to one of the 2 buckets without holes. In my case I added oats, wheat and a few sunflower seeds. Cover grain with water.
Day two, drain the day one bucket into a bucket with holes. That bucket needs to be stacked in the other bucket without holes. Repeat the day one soaking process. Keep repeating this process until all of your buckets are full. Once you reach day 7 your day 1 fodder should be ready to feed.
>Keeping The Mold Down Naturally For Fodder Feeding System
Many people put Clorox bleach in their soak water, but I have found that food grade hydrogen peroxide keeps the mold down and is not adding chloride to the feed system. The 3% solution in a spray bottle works great. (This is exactly what I use)
It takes about 6 days for my sprouts to be ready to feed, which works out great because on the 7th day I run out of buckets. For now I am feeding sprouted wheat and oats and a few sunflower seeds. I would like to find some peas that haven’t been treated for more protein to add to the mix.
This simple fodder feeding system for backyard chickens works great. Because of the cold, my fodder feeding system sits around me in my basement office/grow room.
