Post by Sprouts on Oct 9, 2013 6:01:18 GMT -5
Here is some email correspondence form a fellow fodderer in Greece and how he created his own fodder growing system!
Dear Sir,
I have received two e-mails from you, with I believe all the information required. Thanks.
I would like to tell you, how I am planning to proceed and if you have any advice it would be welcomed.
The frame
The special pvc fittings you describe are not available (at least easily) and I am referring particularly to the 4 or 5 way joints.
Instead, I have already available some perforated steel angle bars (the Dexion type if you know them). They come in 2 – 3 metres long and with bolting you can construct any 3-D shape you want.
They are factory painted, so I believe that they will last quite a long time.
They are so rigid, so I will avoid the intermediate columns. 2 columns at each end will be enough.
Trays
I intend to use polystyrene boxes, the ones that are used for transporting fish (with ice). They are approx. 20” long and 16” wide. I will have of course to drill holes at their bottom.
Watering
Taking into consideration of my allocated room’s dimensions, I think to have a 4 story traying system. The upper at 60” from the floor with the others below at 12” vertical spacing. The free height below the lower tray will be 24” which I believe will be enough to accommodate the liner that will guide the water through a hole in the middle to a large bucket that will house a 220V submersible pump.
I have already a timer that can be programmed to open max. 10 times per day, i.e. every 2 hours and 24 minutes, and for watering periods staring from one minute onwards.
I believe that a watering duration of a couple of minutes will be enough, but by trial and error I will find out the best duration.
In your instructions you mention that for the first 3-4 days it is advisable to have the trays covered. This is no problem but does it mean that the covers should be perforated as well?
Well, I am planning to commence the construction during this weekend, so if you have any suggestion please advise.
Thanks for your assistance.
Regards
C. Iatrou
UPDATE:
Dear Mr Tucker,
The fodder project is completed, thanks to your recommendations.
In my allocated for that purpose room, I have erected one “block” in each opposite side. It is 2.50 metres long and has 4 rows, each taking 7 polystyrene trays (with holes at the bottom). In total 56 trays on both sides.
Below the lower trays I fixed a strong plastic sheet, which drives the water in a large bucket, in which I have placed a submersible pump.
The pump takes 220V power through a timer which I fixed to open 10 times per 24 hours, and with a watering period of 2 minutes.
Above the upper trays I fixed the black pipe that you see in the picture below, with 4 spraying nozzles. These nozzles are adjustable, so the water umbrella is adjusted to the trays width.
I am continuing now with barley seeds, which show a better growing rate. We will see.
I haven’t checked the initial weight of grains used versus the final fodder weight, but definitely the weight is multiplied considerably.
My chicken, ducks and rabbits seem to enjoy it a lot. At the moment I am supplementing the fodder with chicken crumbs, but I think of limiting their food to fodder only.
Is that advisable?
These are my news.
Thanks again and best regards from Greece.
C. Iatrou
Dear Sir,
I have received two e-mails from you, with I believe all the information required. Thanks.
I would like to tell you, how I am planning to proceed and if you have any advice it would be welcomed.
The frame
The special pvc fittings you describe are not available (at least easily) and I am referring particularly to the 4 or 5 way joints.
Instead, I have already available some perforated steel angle bars (the Dexion type if you know them). They come in 2 – 3 metres long and with bolting you can construct any 3-D shape you want.
They are factory painted, so I believe that they will last quite a long time.
They are so rigid, so I will avoid the intermediate columns. 2 columns at each end will be enough.
Trays
I intend to use polystyrene boxes, the ones that are used for transporting fish (with ice). They are approx. 20” long and 16” wide. I will have of course to drill holes at their bottom.
Watering
Taking into consideration of my allocated room’s dimensions, I think to have a 4 story traying system. The upper at 60” from the floor with the others below at 12” vertical spacing. The free height below the lower tray will be 24” which I believe will be enough to accommodate the liner that will guide the water through a hole in the middle to a large bucket that will house a 220V submersible pump.
I have already a timer that can be programmed to open max. 10 times per day, i.e. every 2 hours and 24 minutes, and for watering periods staring from one minute onwards.
I believe that a watering duration of a couple of minutes will be enough, but by trial and error I will find out the best duration.
In your instructions you mention that for the first 3-4 days it is advisable to have the trays covered. This is no problem but does it mean that the covers should be perforated as well?
Well, I am planning to commence the construction during this weekend, so if you have any suggestion please advise.
Thanks for your assistance.
Regards
C. Iatrou
UPDATE:
Dear Mr Tucker,
The fodder project is completed, thanks to your recommendations.
In my allocated for that purpose room, I have erected one “block” in each opposite side. It is 2.50 metres long and has 4 rows, each taking 7 polystyrene trays (with holes at the bottom). In total 56 trays on both sides.
Below the lower trays I fixed a strong plastic sheet, which drives the water in a large bucket, in which I have placed a submersible pump.
The pump takes 220V power through a timer which I fixed to open 10 times per 24 hours, and with a watering period of 2 minutes.
Above the upper trays I fixed the black pipe that you see in the picture below, with 4 spraying nozzles. These nozzles are adjustable, so the water umbrella is adjusted to the trays width.
I am continuing now with barley seeds, which show a better growing rate. We will see.
I haven’t checked the initial weight of grains used versus the final fodder weight, but definitely the weight is multiplied considerably.
My chicken, ducks and rabbits seem to enjoy it a lot. At the moment I am supplementing the fodder with chicken crumbs, but I think of limiting their food to fodder only.
Is that advisable?
These are my news.
Thanks again and best regards from Greece.
C. Iatrou