Fodder Food

We are always trying to find  more nutritious ways to feed our animals.  Feeding animals better food for them and trying to make it cost effective would be an added benefit.  We have had the thoughts of a fodder system in our heads for quite some time.  The whole process of hydroponics is amazing.  When you look into it the cost can be expensive.  I am sure in the long run it does pay for itself.  But of course it makes the wheels in our heads turn.  Just like everything else in life there has to be more than one way.  An expensive way and a way of doing it yourself.  So with some research and now some experimenting we are off and running.
Yesterday, I will say we started our Fodder System.  No we didn't spend money buying all the expensive equipment from the farm stores or online.  We used what we have around the house.  Just like most other farming projects I am sure you have everything you need right here at home.  The only thing we did have to buy was some seed. 

After doing research I have found that barley seed is the best fodder to feed.  To get barley seed you have to order it online.  I have not been able to find a source for it around my home, so far.  I will not give up.  So while I wait for the barley to come in.  I will get the whole process going with what I was able to find at the local farm store.  Rye seed is something that is readily available.  Also wheat is something you should be able to find if you look hard enough.  I have also incorporated some Black Oil Sunflower seeds.  I think this should make a great, healthy mix of fodder.  I will be feeding this to my pigs, goats, chickens and bunnies.  From my research the fodder can be 90% of their diet.  The goats will still need some hay, they say they will not need as much.  The pigs I will still feed hay as well and maybe some dairy.  The chickens will get some added calcium and grit.  I have to do some more research on the bunnies on what other supplements they will need.  I will find out before they are switched to a fodder diet.
So yesterday I took a pan and soaked an equal amount of rye and wheat seeds.  I think I put in about 2 cups each.  Then I added 1 cup of the black oil sunflower seeds.  I added 2 tsp of bleach to the water. They say the bleach will kill off any bacteria in the seeds.  I have also read you could use peroxide if you did not want to use the bleach.  This will keep mold down also.  I let this sit overnight.  Eight hours of soaking is long enough.  This should be my starter mix of my fodder in 7 days I should be able to start feeding fodder to the animals.

I placed the seeds today in pans or Tupperware containers I had around the house.  

Before I put the seeds in the containers I drilled holes in one end so the water would drain.  I have the fodder system on a wire shelf I had in my kitchen.  Yes I did have some pots and pans on it but I found other places for them.  So I have each pan set up at a slant with the holes I drilled at the bottom part so it will drain well and water will not sit in the containers when I water a few times a day.  If you do it this way you only have to water from the top of the shelf and the water will drip all the way down to the bottom trays.  The bottom tray is an empty tray to collect the leftover water.  This will need to be emptied often.
After I filled my first trays now I have to get a new batch of seeds ready to soak for tomorrows fodder tray.  Everyday you will need to fill a new tray with seeds to keep your fodder system working for your farm.  You will have to figure out how much fodder you will need for your animals.  They say 1 pound of fodder for every 100 pound of animals.  Seems pretty easy to calculate.  My pigs are about 100lbs a piece and I have 3 of them so I will feed them 3 lbs of fodder.  My goats are 60 lbs each and again we have 3 of them.  Because we are trying to breed them I might just feed them the full pound each but they could have less.  At first I will ease them into the fodder.  I will start with small amounts and gradually get them up to the full fodder feeding amount.
The fodder takes 6-7 days to get to the point from seed to feeding stage.  From what I have read day 6 has the most nutritional value for the animals.  After day 7 the nutritional value goes down.  I find this all so interesting and if it works out I just cant see why everyone doesn't do it.  I will keep a day by day journal of how it is going and post.
We look forward to the benefits of a fodder system for our livestock.  We look forward to the savings it will bring our family.  Just one more FYI by switching to a fodder feed you increase your protein value from 15% to at least 30% for your animals.  Just think what that will do for there growing.  To feed your animals an organic food that gives them 30% protein WOW.  I want to eat it.  I would stop being anemic I bet.

March Snow Storm

As we sit here in the dark the fire keeps us toasty warm. The power shut off about 8pm. The snow still falling not sure when it will stop. It's a wet snow. I'm sure the reason for the power outage. To look outside it's like a wonderful winter wonderland. So pretty. Just as long as your loved ones are home safe and dry. The family is sitting by the fire playing some games. It is kind of nice to loose power. Gives a family time to shut off and use the power of conversation.

School let the children come home early this afternoon. It gave them some great time to play outside. 

Not sure if you can see them in the picture. They are playing in the front of the pigs. I love watching them play together. 

When they were done they had time to play with the pigs. Russell is trying to hug them. They just think he has food. 

It's now 9:30pm power came back on just in time for bed. Good night!

Run free you Maine Deer, But why my car :(

Well not such a good morning.  Things can be hard enough trying to get all this going.  We have all we can do sometimes to make a dollar stretch.  I know it was only a matter of time.  We see them almost every day walking across our street.  We post no trespassing signs all over our land.  We don't want people hunting here.  We do not eat Deer so we would never hunt them.  I do know hunting helps keep the population down.  But until today they have never done me any harm.  But today we are grateful no one was hurt.  Well no one except our car that is.  We really don't have the money to fix it.  It will set us back.  Car parts are not something we can grow.  Such mixed feelings this morning.

Poor car. Funny how a deer can walk/run away from this. Drivers door won't even open. Oh well nothing we can do about it now. Just always be careful early morning and around sundown. That seems to be when they want to cross the streets. Drive safe. 

Round House Farm Roasted Potatoes

Roasted Potatoes are a favorite side dish for my family.  They are so simple to make.  I always make extra and freeze some.  When someone wants a snack they are quick and easy to pop in a toaster oven or microwave to reheat.
http://youtu.be/WMeZCR4Yb4o
Follow the link above for the fastest way to make your families favorite Roasted Potatoes.  It is so easy you will not want to make them any other way.  It is great to bring as a pot luck dish.  A party favorite.
Enjoy!

School Lunch

Today was a great day.  We were invited to have our lunch at our daughters school.  What a delight it was that both my husband and I could go.  I know it just thrilled my daughter.  She is a thriving young lady in fourth grade.  She was very excited about having both of her parent join her for her lunch.  The town of Skowhegan has a great school system and we did get lucky when we moved here.  Melanie has adjusted well to our move to this town and a new school.  She has made many friends and really fits in.  We were informed this morning we would be sitting with her best friend Zoe and her mother.

After our lunch the school was having a book fair.  Well of course Melanie was eager to purchase a few books.  Melanie loves to read.  It was a wonderful afternoon having lunch with Melanie and her classmates.  We thank her school for the opportunity share a meal.

Love our Goat Barn

Now that we have a homestead we look at everything close before we call it trash.  When someone states something is junk we want to find another purpose for it.  With winter coming we would be in need of a barn for our goats.  We could not afford a barn made out of wood at this time.  We had to become creative.  When looking on craigslist we noticed people were always selling cheap tag along campers.  It gave us an idea to find someone wanting to give away or sell one cheap.  We started looking and sending offers on campers.  Our goal was to only spend $100.  We didn't care what the inside looked like we were going to gut it.  Finally we found one that the person was willing to sell us for $100.  It was in bad shape.  But we seen potential.
We bought it, brought it home and went to work.

 First we stripped everything out of the inside.  Then primed the outside of it white.

We painted the outside a fun color.  Then added some fun shutters.  We made a couple of stalls inside.  There is a great place in the center for milking.  The best part of making the barn out of a camper is if we ever wanted to change the location of our paddock we can move the barn.  Its on wheels.  We just love it.  The goats just love it also.

Round House Farm Peanut Butter Bars, Family Fun

We never buy pre packaged foods.  Making our own crackers and treats not only helps cut cost it lets you know exactly what ingredients are in what we eat.  Here on the farm we experiment with all our recipes.  We try just mixing all kinds of ingredients together until we come up with a family favorite.  We have some misses but most of the time we find a real hit.  Plus its a great time to experiment with food.  The goal is to try and make things that cost less and are better for you.  If you can even cut a tablespoon of sugar out of a recipe I think you have helped your waist line.  So many times I try to cut out eggs and milk and use other ingredients.  Many times you never even miss them.  Some recipes you can cut those ingredients in half.  The bottom line is just try.  Worst case you feed it to the animals in your home.  They will love your experiments.  Today I will share with you a Round House Farm Peanut Butter Bar recipe my daughter and I created.  My family cant get enough of these.  It is simple and easy.  I am sure you always have these ingredients in your home.
Watch the video on
http://youtu.be/kn0MvEEszrk

If for some reason it does not get you to the link here is the recipe:
1 cup melted butter and 1 cup peanut butter mixed together
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
mix well now add 1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
mix well
add 3/4 cup oats
now place in foil lined pan and bake for 25 mins at 375 degrees.
Its that easy!