Fodder Project Part 2 : The Sequel Day 1

Welcome back. If you haven't read the first post in this series please click on the link below.

http://gonechicken.blogspot.com/2013/10/fodder-project-part-1.html

So now I have let the grains soak for roughly 27 hours. You can't tell much difference in it except for a faint smell. Don't worry about the smell, it's just part of the process, there isn't anything wrong with it.

Here is the grain after soaking for 27 hours.

Now you need to set out the fodder. It's best to set it out in a plastic container ( roughly 13" long and 9" wide.  I found these cheap at the Dollar Tree ). I drilled roughly 25 holes in it ( you can adjust by the container you use )

This is roughly 13" long and 9" wide. It doesn't have to be perfect.

 So next you need a pan a little larger than the plastic pan, and put something like rocks to lift it slightly off the surface (so you fodder isn't sitting in water). Here's an example.

There doesn't have to be a ton of rocks just enough to lift the pan.

Now dump the water and fodder out in the plastic pans. It is best for this size batch to be divided into two 13"by 9" plastic pans ( It needs to be plastic. I have used both aluminum pans and plastic pans and got a higher yield from the plastic. )

Here is the fodder after pouring it in the pans. Remember it is best to divide between 2 pans.

Now rinse it with cool water from the sink.

Then let it drain ( you may have to tilt it carefully in one direction to get the water out ).

Make sure you get all the water out ( If water sits in it , the fodder will begin to rot)

Here it is after it has drained sitting in the aluminum pan.

Now you need something to put it on ( A shelf is ideal )  Here's my set-up, it's not the prettiest , but I'm looking for efficient.

Here is the fodder. If you have to stack it , like I do , then make sure that they are tilted to allow air for the fodder.

Now you may have to rinse it one more time today ( I rinse it twice a day , roughly 12 hours apart) . It depends on several things. Just remember this is something you can experiment with. It just takes trial and error.

The ideal temperature is 65 to 70 degrees so you may have to run a small fan on it to keep it cooler , plus it gives it plenty of air-flow , which in turn helps prevent mold.

Well good luck and check back soon for part 3 of the fodder project.

Chickenman