May 15, 2012: After some brain storming and reading about other fodder systems, Brian and I designed our own with time savings in mind as well as the cost savings. Our Auto-Fodder-Feeder drops finished sprouts out one end of the system as another one is filled and slid into the system. Brian designed this one to auto-water as needed but they can also be made with gravity buckets to water several units at a time. This feeder puts out sprouted grains at a feeding rate of twice a day and larger units for larger animals can be made with only a single feeding per day, so 2 units are needed. That's because the Unit and trays need to be bigger. But the bigger the animal - the higher the savings in feed costs.

This unit will feed 3-5 adult chickens, 25-40 baby chicks, or 3-5 adult rabbits or a small goat for twice a day feedings. What's nice about the chicken size feeder (besides the health of the animals and cost savings)- it can sit inside coops and not take up floor space.

Feeding sprouted grains to animals (chickens, rabbits, goats, dairy, horses and hogs) gives them food they love to eat because its like fresh spring pasture - all year round. Dairy animals produce more milk, chickens lay high quality eggs and meat animals gain muscle faster because the sprouted grain is more digestable than straight grain. Though we just started the system, its said animals are more fertile and carry young better. We hope to enjoy this benefit along with the feed cost savings.

Click here if you want to see more details on savings. Call for special order large units. (507) 589-5256 - Ask for Brian

 

Wow- Its Feb 12th, 2012 - I hadn't realized it had been that long since any updates happened. Sherry is temporarily filling in on the Board of SFA-MN (Sustainable Farming Association - Minnesota) and has been part of discussion about the barriers farmers face in direct marketing to the consumer. We will try to discuss this in an upcoming show, but my time is so limited. Here's a quick list of farm to consumer biggest barriers-1. Cheap Food available in Big Box Stores. We think this problem will work itself out as gas/energy continues to rise; 2. USDA processing facilities are costly and needed for broad salability; 3. Higher energy costs (where we have been focusing our attention) ; 4. Seasonal Sales =Fluxuating income; 5. Broad Spectrum Marketing. Send your ideas on overcoming farm barriers these to Sherry.

Right now - brooders need to get built. We have been collecting used refrigerators and freezers to convert into brooder housing to keep the baby chicks warm. We've handled baby chicks before and had many losses. Hopefully this will eleviate most of the losses. The first year costs to raising chickens on pasture is huge! The brooders are temperature controlled with thermostats and power the heat lamps and light bulbs. The hoop-house tractors will only hold 100 birds but cost over a couple humdred each. Hope its worth it!

These potbelly pigs were born Nov 16th and have grown so fat so fast it amazes me. They were potty trained by the third day. Petunia, the Mom, have 14 born so I didn't expect so many would survive but most did. JD, the Dad is a little ornery since we separated him from Petunia but its better than trying to deal with another set of 14 more babies. Pot Belly pigs are not meat animals but I understand they are a relative of the Kune-Kune pigs - the best tasting pigs in the world. We don't have any need for meat anytime soon and all these guys are going to work by cleaning up old gardens once a hog tractor gets made.

We also are planning to raise capons this year. The thing about capons is they are like steers- males with the balls gone. They grow larger and more tender, just like beef with balls gone. They are also less agressive and easier to handle.

 

 

 

Update: 8-8-2011- Wow has this been a busy summer! As I write this, the markets are headed down...again. But having a garden has helped with the rising food prices so I hope we can complete the gardening harvesting. We are using the big wood fired food dryer again this year and unfortunately, there is a leak of smoke into it so the food has a slight smoked flavor! Smoked tomatoes - yuck. 

Brian has been building JetStove.com for sale of Jet Stoves for a cleaner burn from wood. We plan on using them for wood fired hot water, long lasting space heat - heat that lasts all night for those sub-zero winter mornings makes me feel all toasty all over! Check them out if you want an economical wood fired boiler for hot water, a warm spa or pool, or you just like to be warm all winter for less.

Brian has also built a Water Bugs for Hydro-Electric Power on the farm and is making them available on our farm store. If you have any free flowing water on your property - hydro is great since you get a constant energy whether wind blows or the sun shines. It doesn't require batteries, but you can add batteries if you want. They are also up-gradable, meaning you can add more units - up to as much power as you need or  have space  for. The estimated pay-back time is a fraction of the time, even if you live in an area that freezes solid.  The amount of power you can get out of them varies with your water flow speed and volume and there is little adjusting to do since it floats over most floating debris. Also, the unit doesn't stop the flow of water so no dam is needed for water collection and no need for complex tubing.  In the Hydro-Power World of Design, dollar for dollar, the Water Bug is the easiest to operate and maintain.  All you need is to unpack it, anchor it and have a qualified electrician connect it for you (instructions are included). So, if you are concerned about increasing energy costs or your increasing demand and have flowing water - check out the Water Bug.

 

Update: 4-15-2011- Planting has started with cold crops going in (had to plant them twice since the ground froze after the seedlings went in).

Animals are grazing freely. . ...well they figured out a way out of the fencing. Mc Sweety is our new ram. The ewes are very impressed with him and are busy showing him around. So far, they have taken him to every corner of the pastures and hay field to enjoy the spring greens.

Chickens have been moved to the start eating greens. They still get fed with kelp to add minerals to their diet. I must say - their eggs have the most dense protien of any egg we ever had before.

The electric tractor is out and the solar panels have started charging it. . . if we only remember to not park under the trees! Hoping we can get a new seat on the old thing this year. (Update 8-8-2001 - not sure what's up with the tractor but maybe a solar flare knocked out its old circuits?)

 

Update 3-16-2011 - The winter window garden of cherry tomatoes, celery and mints has been a joy to the taste buds.

This Cherry Tomato is 10+ years old. It just keeps getting cut back. This winter we added micro-nutrients and fish emmusion which made them extra tasty. . . .note there's never many red ones since the plant is next to the computer desk they get picked as soon as they are red! Cherry tomatoes just keep producing in-determinantly!

Next winter additions to the winter window garden will be - kale, swiss chard, pea pods, more celery and of course - that 10 year old cherry tomato plant. These are plants which produce continually and make for really fresh salads over winter.