Grandeur Africa Limited,
All animals EXCEPT Rabbits are fed fresh fodder from the tray to
P.O. Box 47157-00100,
Nairobi, Kenya.
grandeurafrica@gmail.com
Website: www.grandeurafrica.com
3. What is the best feeding ratio for cows?
+254724526976/+254722522168.
Hydroponics, Vertical farming,
Yoghurt, Biofuels (Biogas/Biodiesel)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What structure would I need if I have 5cows or 200 chicken or 30
pigs etc.?
The S30 measures 5Metres X 2Meters X 3Meters. Such a unit
can feed a max of 10 cows OR 1200 kienyeji chicken (more if
layers/broilers) OR 30pigs OR 40goats OR 625rabbits per day.
The S45 measures 5Metres X 3Meters X 3Meters. Such a unit
can feed a max of 20 cows OR 2400 kienyeji chicken (more if
layers/broilers) OR pigs OR 80goats OR 1250rabbits.
2. Do I need to wilt the fodder before feeding my livestock?
the trough.
Rabbits are very sensitive to moisture. The fodder should be
wilted for at least 6hours before feeding rabbits to avoid
BLOATING.
The other animals are fed fresh fodder since the feeding
program brings enough DRY MATTER into the diet.
They are fed 70% Dry Matter (Source of Energy for growth and
milk production) and 30% Hydroponic Barley Fodder (Source of
Protein for Milk Synthesis).
Easy Formula to Calculate Total Feed required by one cow per
day: 10% of Body Weight in KILOGRAMS.
(Hint: Body Weight measured easily using a belt available in
Veterinary Stores, costs Kshs 1,200.)
Example: If the cow is 300kgs, the total amount of feed it
requires is 30kgs.
70% of 30kgs is 21kgs – Feed 21kgs as Dry Matter
30% of 30kgs is 9kgs – Feed 9kgs as Hydroponic Barley Fodder
Salt Lick should always be provided.
Reasons we advocate for High Dry Matter intake is because:
* The fodder lacks energy as most is utilised for germination.
 * 87% of milk is WATER. Enough dry matter causes increased
uptake of water.
* Dry Matter is the major source of Energy (Carbohydrates)
4. What is the best feeding ratio for goats/sheep?
70% Dry matter and 30 % Hydroponic Barley Fodder
In Simple terms, 2.8kgs Dry Matter and 1.2kgs Hydroponic
Barley Fodder for one mature goat/sheep.
5. What is the best feeding ratio for pigs?
If doing commercial pig farming we recommend 50%
Commercial Feeds (Dry Matter) and 50% Hydroponic Barley
Fodder. This ensures maturity in 6-7months
A pig consumes different amounts of feed depending on the age.
A mature pig would consume 2kgs of Commercial Feed and 2kgs
of Hydroponic Barley Fodder.
If doing leisure pig farming, you can do 70% Hydroponic Fodder
and 30% Commercial feeds.
A detailed feeding program can be emailed at request through
grandeurafrica@gmail.com
6. What is the best feeding ratio for ‘kienyeji’ chicken?
Indigenous Chicken are also known as ‘Kienyeji” in East Africa.
In Kenya this covers Normal Kienyeji, Improved KALRO Kienyeji,
Kuroiler, Kenbro etc
The Recommended Daily Allowance for a mature chicken is 130g
of feed per day.
If doing commercial Poultry farming we recommend 50%
Commercial Feeds (Dry Matter) and 50% Hydroponic Barley
Fodder. (65g of each for one mature Kienyeji chicken) This
ensures faster maturity and early onset of egg production.
If doing “Free Range” Poultry farming we recommend 30%
Commercial Feeds (Dry Matter) and 70% Hydroponic Barley
Fodder. This means 39g of Mash and 91g of fodder for one
mature kienyeji chicken
7. What is the best feeding ratio for layers or broilers?
Let’s consider a mature chicken is supposed to take 130g of feed
per day.
Layers’ and Broilers are exotic breeds and are therefore very
sensitive to feed that is not well balanced.
If doing Layers’ and/or we recommend 70% Commercial Feeds
(Dry Matter) and 30% Hydroponic Barley Fodder.
This ensures faster maturity and early onset of egg production.
 As for Broilers’ introduce them to the fodder after they attain
2weeks in age.
8. What is the best stage to introduce the chicken to the fodder and
what ratio?
As for Kienyeji Chicken and Layers’, introduce the fodder after
8weeks, Growers’ Stage.
Introduction of the fodder should be GRADUAL. Start with 10%
and increase 10% every 2 weeks.
Broilers are introduced to the fodder after 2 weeks, GRADUALLY.
9. How much would a hydroponic unit cost?
11. Which feedstuff can be used as dry matter for livestock?
The S30 costs Kshs 32,000 while the S45 costs Kshs 37,000.
Costs not inclusive of trays and barley.
Transport is normally cost shared between the client and
Grandeur Africa for units done outside Nairobi County.
10. Do I need Dairy Meal if I am using the fodder?
The Answer is a big NO!!!
Dairy Meal is a protein concentrate used for cows that are being
milked.
Barley fodder is also a very good source of Protein (23% Crude
Protein).
The reason most farmers are switching to Barley fodder is
because the protein is assured unlike commercial feeds whose
protein levels are really hard to guarantee.
Combining Barley fodder and Dairy Meal is DISASTROUS to milk
production since the result is a sharp decline.
REASON: Excess Proteins (Amino acids) are not stored in the
animal’s body. They are broken down and passed via urine. High
protein feeds causes the animal to spend most of its energy
breaking down the excess rather than producing milk.
Dry Matter is the major source of energy for your livestock.
The following is a description of animals with their sources of Dry
Matter:
Cows / Goats / Sheep / Horses – Rice Husks, Hay, Silage, Dry
Napier Grass, etc
Pigs – Commercial Feed (Sow & Weaner, Pig Finisher etc)
Rabbits – Hay
Poultry - Commercial Feed (Poultry Mash)
12. How long does construction take? Do you come with your
carpenters?
Construction of the S30 and S45 takes one day if all materials
are ready BEFORE the day of construction.
Bigger structures take more time of course.
We use carpenters available for and chosen by the client to
minimize on the costs of ferrying our carpenters.
13. If I want the barley delivered outside of Nairobi, would you
organize transport?
We normally do organize transport at the expense of the client.
Economies of scale work everywhere. Transporting small
quantities of barley is expensive.
We always advise clients on the most affordable and convenient
mode of transport.
Courier services and buses are the most common and preferred
due to the convenience and affordability.
14. Is there a discount on the barley and trays?
Our Aluminium Trays are 20% discounted. They were retailing at
Kshs 500 but are now Kshs 400.
Barley prices shift depending on the season and availability. The
prices range between Kshs 40-45.
Any discounts are normally communicated by our accounts
department via our website.
15. What is the best feeding ratio for rabbits?
In Rabbit farming we recommend 50% Dry Matter (Hay) and
50% Hydroponic Barley Fodder.
***Remember to wilt the fodder before feeding.
16. Do you need pellets if using the barley fodder for rabbits?
NO!!!
Barley fodder and pellets are both sources of protein.
If the rabbits are used to the pellets, you are advised to
gradually reduce the pellets as you introduce the fodder until
the pellets are phased out. 2weeks are enough for the rabbits to
adapt.
17. Can the fodder be used on beef cattle and what are the expected
results?
YES!!!
There is a 0.51-1.2kg weight increase per day with good supply
of dry matter.
18. Do you install systems for hydroponic vegetables and how can
the Nutrient Solutions be accessed?

YES.

Each system depends on the type of plant being grown. For

Example, Rafts are used for leafy vegetables, PVC pipes for
strawberries and herbs or Dutch Buckets for
Tomatoes/Capsicums.

The Nutrient solutions are available in 3 categories: For Leafy

Vegetables, Fruits and Flowers. They can be accessed at our
Kasarani Store.

The Nutrient Solutions are well prepared with both Macro and
Micro Nutrients accompanied by an instruction manual.

WE DO NOT SELL NUTRIENT SOLUTIONS FOR HYDROPONIC

FODDER.

19. If you have a bigger structure for fodder production, how would
the watering be done?

In the case of such structures, a misting system is normally

installed to save on water and time wastage.

The costs of installing one depend on the size of the structure,

distance between hydroponic unit and the source of water,
number of shelves and location of project. These are calculated
specifically for interested clients.