Fermented Feed & Sprouting Questions (NEWBIE)

Ok yall...I decided today that I'd like to start fermenting and sprout for my chicks...ages 12.5 weeks, 9 weeks, and 5.5 weeks...I understand the process of both...BUT don't understand exactly what to start with...

Fermenting:
I just bought a bag (25lbs) of chick starter/grower (medicated) about a week ago...can I use that until it's gone and then switch to something better? What should I use after this bag is gone??

Sprouting:
I just bought 60lbs of wild bird seeds...can I sprout these or just use them as winter treats (which is what I bought them for)? What should I be using for sprouting? and where can I get it?

Extra Info: we are on the poor side and only have a small flock (4) currently...will be getting at least 2 more in the near future...so I need the cheapest way to make my money spread longer with the healthiest flock possible

ALSO, what else should I be feeding? I'd like to get away from commercial anything and do homegrown...but I'm lost and have NO idea what to do or where to start...any and ALL advice appreciated!!

Look up fodder for chickens. Fodder in itself is great for you, the birds or any other veggie eating critters. It takes the nutrients in the seed/bean and raises it each day you let it grow up to about 5 inches tall. I have lentils and barley started now for my chickens and will be starting alfalfa any who knows what else as the winter progresses. Its all done in the house and takes little time or space (or money, we are a low income family ) . As for fermented feed it's very simple and a great way to make the feed go further. Plus it ups the content of everything good already in it. To start look up Gramma Chick. And read some of her postings here on BYC. She has a lot of good answer. I'm not a pro I'm not very experienced but I am a fixed-income flock owner so I have read A LOT!!! Anymore questions just ask.

Chicken girl 15 said:

Look up fodder for chickens. Fodder in itself is great for you, the birds or any other veggie eating critters. It takes the nutrients in the seed/bean and raises it each day you let it grow up to about 5 inches tall. I have lentils and barley started now for my chickens and will be starting alfalfa any who knows what else as the winter progresses. Its all done in the house and takes little time or space (or money, we are a low income family ) . As for fermented feed it's very simple and a great way to make the feed go further. Plus it ups the content of everything good already in it. To start look up Gramma Chick. And read some of her postings here on BYC. She has a lot of good answer. I'm not a pro I'm not very experienced but I am a fixed-income flock owner so I have read A LOT!!! Anymore questions just ask.

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Awesome!! Thanks so much I'm starting sprouting tomorrow...if that goes well I'd like to try fodder too...I just scored 60lbs of wild bird seed for about $10...thats why I asked about that Id really like to make my own feed altogether...just not sure if thats coat productive...and if not it's, unfortunately.

You can go all homemade with the rations but that (for you and I both) is still a lot of research and reading away. Its cost effective for a large flock but for a tiny one like yours it's probably going to be best to use commercial and just use the fodder as a stretcher and fermented as a base diet. I don't see why the wild bird seed wouldn't work . Take about 1/2 cup of it and soak it for about 24 hours. Then drain, rinse, and put in a shallow (2-3 inch deep) aluminum pan keep in a thin or single layer. Then mist with water as it starts to dry out every few hours. Never let it stay "wet" it can and will mold. If you see no sprouting after day 3 toss it and just feed the birds the dry seeds.

Chicken girl 15 said:

You can go all homemade with the rations but that (for you and I both) is still a lot of research and reading away. Its cost effective for a large flock but for a tiny one like yours it's probably going to be best to use commercial and just use the fodder as a stretcher and fermented as a base diet. I don't see why the wild bird seed wouldn't work . Take about 1/2 cup of it and soak it for about 24 hours. Then drain, rinse, and put in a shallow (2-3 inch deep) aluminum pan keep in a thin or single layer. Then mist with water as it starts to dry out every few hours. Never let it stay "wet" it can and will mold. If you see no sprouting after day 3 toss it and just feed the birds the dry seeds.

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Thanks so much!! Ill start tomorrow and see how sprouting does...then ill determine if im ready for fodder super excited avout having healthy girls...soon to be healthy eggs...and more cost effectiveness!

Any luck with the wild bird seed sprouting? I found a place that has it on sale for the fall and was just curious if it actually sprouts.

Chicken girl 15 said:

Any luck with the wild bird seed sprouting? I found a place that has it on sale for the fall and was just curious if it actually sprouts.

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Yes!! Its doing great!!

Great! !! I know what I'm starting tomorrow.

Good luck! Hope your girls like it as much as mine do!! They love the FF too I started both this week...and im already able to see that im saving money while my girls are healthier...ive used half the feed id normally use in 3 days by this new method...super excited