anybody raise sprouts to feed the chickens?

[Cindiloohoo]

My lentils are SPROUTING ALREADY!

Who knew it would be ThIs easy?!?! SO cool! I have some beans started as well. Dunno if they'll sprout, but I'm trying it anyway

 

[kla37]

I sprout seeds for us, and started giving some for treats a couple months ago. Broccoli sprouts have been a big hit, also lettuce, cabbage, and spinach sprouts.

 

[Delmar]

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You just started them last night?

 

[Cindiloohoo]

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You just started them last night?

Yes! I was thinking maybe tomorrow, but they are sprouting little tiny sprouts now. My kitchen is warm, so maybe that is why

It is so cool though! I just soaked them overnight and rinsed and drained twice today and they are sprouting. Amazingly easy!

 

[litl red hen]

I started my lentils on Sunday and today (Thurs) the sprouts are starting to develop green leaves. I had some sprout starts Mon. a.m.! These are headed to the chickens in the a.m. Fed the other jar to the chicken on Wed. They loved them!! I cannot wait to try other seeds.

I used some of the lentil sprouts tonight and made a little stir fry with them. I used butter a little pdr garlic and pdr onion. They were delicious! Just heated them through. I was also impressed, in response to an earlier post where someone commented they were eating the sprouts like snacks, in the taste of the raw sprouts. I was expecting the lentils to still taste like lentils when sprouted. Silly me!! They are quite good. I would equate them to almost like a raw cabbage--sort of.

Anyway, what fun with the sprouts. I am enjoying it.

 

[firsthouse_mp]

So, after reading this post, I have been diligently sprouting for about 5 days. I sprouted both BOSS and lentils. It was so easy! I started sprouting BOSS because I have a huge bag and my chickens won't eat it in its raw state. I thought that by sprouting it, they would be more attracted to the seed. They are only somewhat attracted to it....then I gave them the sprouted lentils which really look like little worms or plants. They didn't really get excited about that either. AAAAARRRRGGGHHH!

Seriously, they don't like BOSS or sprouted lentils? I ended up putting the sprouting lentils in the refridge and will use for them for human purposes--probably my salads. But I am bummed! I thought it would great to have the hens (6 of them), have an alternate source of treats that can easily be grown. They love mealworms but here in CA those are expensive ($7.99 for a small can). I have been resorting to organic yogurt which is oodles cheaper. Seriously cannot get in to the beatle growing or worm growing.....thought that sprouting was my answer. Picky hens

 

[Lotsapaints]

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Mix those sprouts with the yogurt they are chickens they have no idea that they are good mine at first were ho hum about sprouts now they expect them everyday.......your eggs will get bigger too

 

[Kassaundra]

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Offer them again, sometimes they think you are trying to poison them w/ something new. Also try feeding out of your hand or as lotsapaints said mixed in w/ yougurt the first time or two.

 

[joebryant]

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Okay, they've been in the bags and jar for about 16 hours, and I don't need to be knocked in the head to know that this ain'ta gonna work. I made too much. They almost doubled in size overnight, and they ain'ta gonna get any smaller. I need trays like the directions said to use... See 3riverschick's direction on reply #111. "When everything else fail, including you, read the directions."
I'm going to dump everything from the bags and jars into the bottom of the five-gallon bucket, rinse and drain occasionally, and when they have just sprouted maybe half an inch I'll pour some kefir (chickens love kefir) over them to get the chickens started eating oats.

Meanwhile, I'll build some kind of TRAY setup for sprouting about a half pound of oats at a time. That 50# bag's agonna last a LONG time. I only have seven bbs Orpinton hens, two roosters, six chicks, and six silkies. I'll probably have to thow some of this first batch away because it might spoil before they've eaten it.

 

[Kassaundra]

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Okay, they've been in the bags and jar for about 16 hours, and I don't need to be knocked in the head to know that this ain'ta gonna work. I made too much. They almost doubled in size overnight, and they ain'ta gonna get any smaller. I need trays like the directions said to use... See 3riverschick's direction on reply #111. "When everything else fail, including you, read the directions."
I'm going to dump everything from the bags and jars into the bottom of the five-gallon bucket, rinse and drain occasionally, and when they have just sprouted maybe half an inch I'll pour some kefir (chickens love kefir) over them to get the chickens started eating oats.

Meanwhile, I'll build some kind of TRAY setup for sprouting about a half pound of oats at a time. That 50# bag's agonna last a LONG time. I only have seven bbs Orpinton hens, two roosters, six chicks, and six silkies. I'll probably have to thow some of this first batch away because it might spoil before they've eaten it.

I've been useing plastic bin lids as my "tray" and am stacking burlap sacks on them. At first I was putting the burlap sacks in a bucket, but found if I laid them flat and spread the seed out thinner it works better. I have not had to rinse after the first soak this way, the burlap stays just moist enough and so far grow no mold at a 4 day grow out. If I get a chance I'll post some pics.