hydroponic fodder systems and sorghum

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poultry-guy

poultry-guy

In the Brooder
5 Years
Jul 7, 2014
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Is sorghum good or bad to sprouts as some websites mention it as dangerous and others talk about how they feed them to animals all the time. And is it possible to only feed chickens on sprouting and what sprouts can be a source of calcium. Thank you for answers.
 
I use sorghum for poultry pasture.
It is not possible to only feed sprouts. Chickens are omnivores so sprouts alone would be deficient in some vitamins, minerals but most importantly, several essential amino acids.
 
So then what is the fuss, as some people say that the sprouts produce a sort of cyanide thing. Is that just a myth. Remember that this is not for pasture but rather for growing the sprouts in a machine. Thabks for your input though.
 
Oh and... is there no grain mix to sprout that provides all necessary nutrients for the chickens?
 
On the first point, I don't know. Sorghum is a seed often used for pasture in game plots. I doubt there is a difference whether it is just sprouted or growing in the ground. I could be wrong.

On the second point. You are absolutely correct. There is no grain one can feed, ferment or sprout that will provide all the nutrients chickens are known to need.

As omnivores, chickens have always eaten all types of bugs as well as frogs, mice, etc.. This is the animal protein that omnivores need. Animal protein contains all the essential amino acids needed in the diet. Vegetable protein will always be incomplete in essential amino acids. Many manufacturers make vegetable based feed, they can do so by adding synthetic amino acids like lysine, methionine and sometimes threonine and tryptophan. Whatever is missing in the grains/legumes they're using as the base for the feed.
 
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There are no studies on feeding sorghum grass and or sprouts to poultry and so it would be hard to say what the outcome would be.
I myself wouldn't take the chance in feeding it.
Below is a quote from Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affaires (OMAFRA) on feeding sorghum grass to cattle.

Quote:
Members of the Sorghum family contain dhurrin, a glucoside that breaks down to release hydrocyanic acid also known as prussic acid. A sudden disruption of growth such as frost, drought or cutting, causes prussic acid to be released inside the plant at a more rapid rate. High prussic acid levels may be lethal to cattle. Prussic acid will breakdown in one to two weeks, so material made into hay or silage is safe to use. See Nutritional Concerns and Animal Health Hazards, below

Below is a quote from University of Wisconsin-Extension Cooperative Extension (UWEX) on feeding sorghum grass to cattle and sheep.

Quote:
 
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