What are hydroponic fodder systems? Do you need how to install the structures? Check all the info in this blog.
Hydroponics fodder system and their cost of installation.
Both developed and developing countries like Kenya rely on domestic animals to protect socio-cultural practices (Nya-mushamba et al., 2017). It is important to note that most of these livestock, primarily in sub-tropical areas, are affected by adverse environmental conditions that have adversely affected their productivity. In sub-tropical areas, drought represents one of the primary threats to farm animal production (Scasta et al., 2015a). During drought periods, cattle are susceptible to water and feed scarcity due to their high management (Sejian et al., 2016). Owing to common and excessive droughts, livestock in our country is vulnerable to extreme weather conditions, immunosuppression, dietary strain, and, potentially, death (Dzavo et al., 2019). Global warming and extreme weather are becoming increasingly evident. Despite its size, diversity, and current renown as a “hub” of farm animal manufacturing, the African continent hopes to prepare as much as possible to mitigate the feasible effects of harsh weather.
Hydroponics fodder system.
Seeds are germinated in a hydroponic system to produce hydroponic fodder. Grass can be grown hydroponically excitingly and uniquely. It is a process that uses water to grow grass rather than soil. The grass grown in hydroponic systems is young, tender, and predominantly barley-based and can be used as livestock feed. It is an excellent choice for those seeking a nutritious and healthy diet due to its high nutrient content. Also, the hydroponic fodder system does not require soil because it cultivates grass in nutrient-rich water. The process is more efficient than traditional gardening in terms of water usage and space usage. In addition, hydroponic fodder can grow grass all year round, no matter what the weather is like. As a livestock farmer seeking an affordable and reliable livestock feed source, a hydroponic fodder system is an excellent alternative that can be used to supply livestock with feed regularly.
Advantages of hydroponic feeding:
- It has fodder quality. In contrast to traditional dry feed and grain feed, hydroponic feed contains more nutrients than these two forms of feed. Rich in carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins.
- It’s time to grow up. Traditional feeds often take up to two months to grow, while hydroponic feeds can be grown in less than a week.
- Hydroponics are water-efficient too. Compared with conventional farming, hydroponics requires less water. A kilogram of hydroponic feed requires only 3-4 liters of water. On the , hand, traditional feed needs about 70-100 liters of water.
- Consistency of feed: Hydroponic feed can be produced regularly throughout the year even in case of water shortage problems.
- Chemicals or pesticides Growing does not require chemicals or pesticides.
- Most farmers grow hydroponic green food near their livestock. This reduces labor and transportation costs. Increasing efficiency and reducing transportation and labor costs.
- Milk production increased by 10%.
- Increased Fertility – Make sure you get a calf every year.
- It brings back the original taste, color, and smell of milk. Organic/natural green fodder: Due to non adding of any nutrients without using soil the green fodder is organically grown.
- The cow’s immunity gets better.
Structure for growing Hydroponics fodder.
You can create a hydroponic fodder system according to your need. It takes a little space to build, most farmers use 10 ft (3.05 m) x 10 ft (3.05 m) shed nets for hydroponic fodder growing; if you choose to do it near the livestock shade, it gets easier to run. You can maintain temperature and humidity in the shed if it’s well-ventilated and airy to let ventilation leave some open space between the roof and side walls. You need a medium size tray of 1.5 by 3 feet to grow hydroponic fodder. They should be made of good plastic and strong enough to support the weight of the bait.
Seeds should be kept moist, so avoid metal trays as they rust easily, so use only plastic trays.
Make 15-20 small holes in the tray to drain any excess water.
Inside the shed, you can make a bamboo rack, plastic rack, or metal rack to hold these trays.
Make a three to four-layer rack, but be careful not to make the rack too high, as it makes it difficult to spray water and remove the tray.
Leave enough space between the two layers so that you can water the seeds easily. Moreover, make a slight slope on one side of the rack for each layer, this is helpful for easy and quick drainage from the tray. Drill a small drainage hole to drain the water properly. Spread black polyurethane paper on the floor to keep the place out of contamination.
Process of growing Hydroponics fodder.
Pour 5 liters of lukewarm water into a poly bucket containing 2 kg of seeds and remove the floating seeds and other impurities as they will not sprout.
Add 50-100 grams of salt to the water. To maximize the chance of fungal growth in sprouted seeds.
Soak the seeds in water for about 12 hours. After 12 hours, drain the water and wash the seeds with clean water.
After washing the seeds, transfer them to suck bags and allow them to germinate. Seeds that you plant in colder climates usually take a long time to germinate, while those seeds you plant in warm climates generally take about 24 hours to germinate.
Ypu should transfer the seeds from the bag to the tray, spread evenly, and leave a small space on one side of the tray and placed on the net.
Wash trays properly before use, check all holes for clogging, and then remove any clogging. Water the germinated seeds daily 4 times with light watering.
You can use a watering can or a sprinkler system to supply water. In the summer, you should water your plants every two hours, while in the winter, you should water them every four hours. It only takes 7 days for them to germinate and mature.
How to harvest and feed Hydroponics fodder for your animals.
1. Poultry. Normally harvest the fodder for poultry when they are 4 days old. Traditional kienyeji poultry normally feed one tray per 50 chickens and exotic bloiler, and layers feed them one tray for a 100 chickens
2. Pigs and rabbits. Normally harvest the fodder when they are 6 days old.
3. Cows, goats, and sheep. Normally harvest fodder when they are 8 days old. Feed at least one tray per cow per day. A farmer should stock up on about six trays.
Storage.
Because the fodder can grow within a span of 7 to 8 days, you can produce a huge volume within a very short time. Since this fodder grows using water and the fodder is 70% water, as much is a protein supplement, if try to store it, the chances of it developing molds and fungi are very high making fodder to become poisonous to the livestock. So always produce within your limit to avoid overproducing or underproducing and produce only fresh produce for your livestock.
Normally cereal can grow hydroponically to supplement the animals’ feeds since protein feeds allow expensive when compared to carbohydrates and it has become hard for farmers to guarantee quality feeds for livestock.
Cereals used in Hydroponics fodder.
Barely, wheat, sorghum, oats.
Where to buy hydroponic fodder System.
Hydroponics Africa has a range number of fodder hydroponic units according to their farmer needs and budget. Hydroponics Africa installs and design fodder Hydroponic system.
An example of Hydroponics units available at Hydroponics Africa.
Unit 36
Measurements: 4m x 3m x 3m
Number of trays: 70
Fodder produced: 140 kg/day
Water needed: 1.5 liters per kg of fodder
This unit can feed
- 10 cows/day
- 70 pigs/day
- 47 sheep and goats/day
- 1.610 birds/day
Cost of Hydroponics systems according to Kenya agribusiness and agro-industry alliance.
| REQUIREMENTS | Hydroponics as the main feed | Approximate Cost per unit |
| Barley/Sorghum seed | 360kg/ month | 45.00/Kg |
| Hydroponics nutrient solution | 3.5 liters | 1,500.00/litre |
| Aluminum tray | 42 trays | 1000.00/tray |
| Hydroponics shade net | 12 meter square | 135.00/meter |
Due to the high death rates of livestock during the extreme climatic conditions in Kenya, many farmers, particularly those in the pastoralist community, lose money during the season because of death of their animals due to lack of quality fodder and feed. In order to mitigate this shortcoming, hydroponic fodder systems can operate effectively as they require little space and use little water.
References.
https://www.hydroponicsafrica.org/fodder-systems/.
http://kaaa.co.ke/hydroponic-fodder-solution-farmers/.
