anybody raise sprouts to feed the chickens?

[MamaAB]

I tried the fodder and quickly went back to my burlap bag sprouts.

Hmmm that sounds interesting. I currently have one of my kids who is going to "grow" mealworms for the chickens and the other one wants to do the fodder but I am confused on what would be best

 

[Kassaundra]

Hmmm that sounds interesting. I currently have one of my kids who is going to "grow" mealworms for the chickens and the other one wants to do the fodder but I am confused on what would be best

I would do sprouts over fodder, much easier, less fussy, especially for a child. Once you (or the child) has it going well they can always experiment w/ the fodder and see which they like best, but sprouts I have found to be almost fool proof. I loaded a short video and some still pics of my method, onto this thread but I don't know which page.

Mealworms I can't be of much help except to say there is a good thread about them full of all kinds of information. I am growing them (and have been for a year or so) but not successfully. The feeder insect I have had the most success w/ had been dubia's, but few people want to go that far. lol If you can get past the mental block they really are very good feeders to raise.

The next feeder insect I intend to raise will be red wrigglers, those can be raised outside and if done right I believe can be raised on chicken poo and kitchen scraps. (the worm sites frown on using chicken poo w/ them but I intend to "store" the chicken poo in trash cans for several weeks/months then use the slightly "aged" poo.

 

[ellandeeranch]

Just the number of days you let the seed grow, it is a sprout around 4 or less days w/o any actual green plant part growing, just the root and the first leaves (not true leaves) if that. If you allow the seed to actually produce a small plant (usually arournd 5-8+days) that is fodder.

Sprouts are easier, quicker and have less mold problems, fodder has more bulk and acutal "green" parts for the chickens to eat.

Both have more nutrients available then the seed. There is alot of back and forth over whether the fodder has more food value or not (then the sprout). For feed out to grazers and buns I think fodder is better, but for my chickens I do sprouts, they love them, easy for them to eat, and easy for me to grow. I tried the fodder and quickly went back to my burlap bag sprouts.

So I can call it fodder if I regularly buy cheapie lettuce seeds, have them all over the garden wherever there is a spot, and give the chickens a bowlful each day? They sure love it.

Richard in Neenach, California

 

[Kassaundra]

So I can call it fodder if I regularly buy cheapie lettuce seeds, have them all over the garden wherever there is a spot, and give the chickens a bowlful each day? They sure love it.

Richard in Neenach, California

Yes, that is another way to do fodder, growing the plant outside and either harvesting to feed the chickens or placing it under wire frames and allowing the chickens to self graze on the greens letting he roots stay undisturbed. Essentially "fodder" is just feeding out plant before they are allowed to mature, or as greens instead of the traditionally "harvestable" part of the plant. (like grains)

 

[sheila3935]

I started sprouting this winter. My chickens love it. Mostly I do wheat cause that is all I have been able to get hold of right now. I did lentels but they didnt really care for them. They did eat it but not like they go after the wheat. Next I want to do BOSS

 

[vmdanielsen]

So I can call it fodder if I regularly buy cheapie lettuce seeds, have them all over the garden wherever there is a spot, and give the chickens a bowlful each day? They sure love it.

Richard in Neenach, California

I grow kale for my chickens in the summer. I pull the outside leaves and toss them into the pen. For me, get more bag for the buck with kale. I buy a five pound bag of plot spike kale and clover at tractor supply.

Hmmm that sounds interesting. I currently have one of my kids who is going to "grow" mealworms for the chickens and the other one wants to do the fodder but I am confused on what would be best

I do both. Mealworms for protein and sprouts for extra "other nutrition"> Both are easy to do.

 

[TERRY4]

Wow, I never realized. How old should my chicks be before I give them such things, and greens? I read not to give little babies any. I spout for me all the time. Who knew!?!

 

[bnjrob]

Wow, I never realized. How old should my chicks be before I give them such things, and greens? I read not to give little babies any. I spout for me all the time. Who knew!?!

There are different thoughts on feeding chicks.

There are those that advocate nothing but chick starter until they are fairly old and ready to go outside. They feel that chicks don't grow big enough if they eat things other than chick feed and/or the chicks are at risk for disease, malnutrition, etc. if they eat things other starter feed at an early age.

Me personally - manufactured feed is a relatively new invention and our ancestors' chickens ate whatever they could forage - including the chicks. Because hens hatched and raised the chicks, not an incubator. So giving them things other than chick starter feed is not going to kill them and I have not found a difference in health/size by letting them have more than just starter feed to eat. I even take little chicks outside when the weather is decent - I just take their warming device out there too so they can run under it like they would a hen if they get cold.

Really just your choice as to when to feed them more than just manufactured feed. If you do give them something other than chick feed, just make sure you get some chick sized grit to go along with whatever else you feed them.

 

[TERRY4]

There are different thoughts on feeding chicks.

There are those that advocate nothing but chick starter until they are fairly old and ready to go outside. They feel that chicks don't grow big enough if they eat things other than chick feed and/or the chicks are at risk for disease, malnutrition, etc. if they eat things other starter feed at an early age.

Me personally - manufactured feed is a relatively new invention and our ancestors' chickens ate whatever they could forage - including the chicks. Because hens hatched and raised the chicks, not an incubator. So giving them things other than chick starter feed is not going to kill them and I have not found a difference in health/size by letting them have more than just starter feed to eat. I even take little chicks outside when the weather is decent - I just take their warming device out there too so they can run under it like they would a hen if they get cold.

Really just your choice as to when to feed them more than just manufactured feed. If you do give them something other than chick feed, just make sure you get some chick sized grit to go along with whatever else you feed them.

Yes I thought about that too. My Grandma didn't have chick starter. I may wait until they're a little older though. I'd hate to have them get the green runs.

Thanks.

 

[vmdanielsen]

Yes I thought about that too. My Grandma didn't have chick starter. I may wait until they're a little older though. I'd hate to have them get the green runs.

Thanks.

I start by adding chick grit to the chick starter and after a few days with grit I start on the "finer" sprouts. I do this as soon as everybody is hatched and they are in the brooder. I have never had a problem with green poop.

Good luck and do what works for you.