Hydroponic systems, our focus is in the sensitization of livestock farmers on how to increase farm yields and help even smallholder farmer to maximize on returns. Our aim is especially putting a focus on the wheat and Guinea Corn seed to produce fodder.
Hydroponic farming is the art of growing plants without the use of soil .This technology is as old as history and was used in famous hanging gardens of Babylon. For commercial purposes to feed livestock, it started in 1960s in Australia and has spread to the rest of the world ever since.
Hydroponics technology can be adopted using locally available materials to control temperature thereby making hydroponic farming a reality. A farmer can construct a 3m by 4m house unit which can support to feed two dairy cows or (10 pigs, goats, sheep) and over 400 birds. The amount of fodder from this unit is equivalent to two acres of Napier grass.
Hydroponic fodder for livestock is the main meal but not supplement. Actually it completely eliminates dairy meal, maize germ, pollard, poultry fed and even sow and weaner.
Fodder Benefits
Poultry thrive on fresh vegetation. Feeding fodder will result in higher profitability across the farm, from reduced out-of-pocket feed costs to increased cash flow from products sold as grass fed or organic. The nutritional composition of fodder makes it a full feed option for piggery and other livestock and will improve their overall health and performance.
Incorporating fodder into poultry diets will result in these benefits:
★ Better quality eggs with deeper yolk color
★Enhanced egg taste
★ Reduced sticky droppings
★Higher quality meat with better texture
★Improved health and energy levels
POULTRY
LOCAL BREED
Aim to give 150g of fodder to any mature hen, Ducks, goose, pigeon, and quail eat according to their body weight.
EXOTIC
They take fodder 50 percent and 50 percent coconut cake or convectional feed.
ADVANTAGES
i) Early maturity; broilers are ready by 28th day and layers start laying at 16th week.
ii) The egg yolk is bright yellow in color,
iii) Cannibalism is eliminated.
iv) Save between 40 to 60 percent on feed.
PIGS
Pigs can feed entirely on barley, wheat and or white sorghum sprouts.
ADVANTAGES
i. Fat coat is reduced by 50 percent (FROM 14MM TO 7 MM.)
ii. They mature earlier by 2 weeks.
iii. Offensive smell associated with pigs is almost eliminated.
iv. General immunity is improved.
FATTENING OF BULL AND DROUGHT STRICKEN COWS
15KG fodder +1.5kg maize meal +dry pasture
Young bulls (6 MONTHS OLD) are known to increase the weight by 108kg for three months under this feeding programme. This is because between six and nine months is bone spat period in cows. Emaciated cows recover in just one month.
NOTE: SEED;barley/white sorghum (Gadam) is the best to sprout because of its nutrients and energy, other seeds like wheat, sorghum, millet, maize etc can also be sprouted.
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