anybody raise sprouts to feed the chickens?

[missnu01]

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.

You can also sprout seeds using wet paper towels...just lay the seeds flat on a plate, or whatever and then cover with wet paper towels...anything that can be damp will grow seeds...they are amazing.

 

[Kassaundra]

You can also sprout seeds using wet paper towels...just lay the seeds flat on a plate, or whatever and then cover with wet paper towels...anything that can be damp will grow seeds...they are amazing.

True but the burlap sacks are completely reusable, and it would be hard to sprout enough grain on paper towels for 25 chickens eating sprouts everyday.

 

[missnu01]

True but the burlap sacks are completely reusable, and it would be hard to sprout enough grain on paper towels for 25 chickens eating sprouts everyday.

Very very true....but for the people wanting to just try it out for the first time trying it in paper towels might help to see results.

 

[Kassaundra]

Very very true....but for the people wanting to just try it out for the first time trying it in paper towels might help to see results.

 

[Feanor]

This thread has inspired me to do some sprouting... raising digestibility of grain from 35% to 85% in just 4 days? Heck yeah! I got four kitty-litter sized pans from Dollar Tree and a bag of oats from the feed store, altogether less than $18. I'm starting with five cups of dry oats in the pan, making it about an inch deep dry before the soak; I may have to reduce in the future if its too thick, not sure yet how much they'll swell. My setup will just be a nightstand with two shelves wide enough for two pans per shelf. I agree with a previous poster, I found the pans at the dollar store while Walmart was asking $3.95 each for basically the same thing.

Anyway thanks for the great info and ideas on this thread, you guys are brilliant and thrifty!

 

[vmdanielsen]

This thread has inspired me to do some sprouting... raising digestibility of grain from 35% to 85% in just 4 days? Heck yeah! I got four kitty-litter sized pans from Dollar Tree and a bag of oats from the feed store, altogether less than $18. I'm starting with five cups of dry oats in the pan, making it about an inch deep dry before the soak; I may have to reduce in the future if its too thick, not sure yet how much they'll swell. My setup will just be a nightstand with two shelves wide enough for two pans per shelf. I agree with a previous poster, I found the pans at the dollar store while Walmart was asking $3.95 each for basically the same thing.

Anyway thanks for the great info and ideas on this thread, you guys are brilliant and thrifty!

Goof luck and enjoy the sprouting!!!

 

[bottledchaos]

I've got a few 128 fl oz jars that I picked up at a yard sale. I meant to use them for Polish sour pickles but neglected to get around to it. I've been using them for sprouting, I cover the tops with cheesecloth and an elastic and just fill the jar up with water to cover the seeds, swish it around and dump it out. I mostly alternate between sprouting green lentils and BOSS, and my girls love them, I've only got 4, so a jar (half full of sprouts) lasts a couple of days. I'm trying chickpeas next since I have a giant bag I bought for a ridiculously cheap price. I can't wait to get all the way through this thread and find more ideas for potential sproutables.

 

[missnu01]

I sprout in mason jars with no lids of any sort...just open. I swish water through the jars and then drain the water out by holding a strainer upside down over the jar and letting the water drain out...works great, no muss no fuss...and the best way to make sure you don't have sprouts or seeds just sitting too long in water is to just keep sort of shaking the jars up...then the sprouts getting dry on top end up back on the bottom getting wet, while the wet sprouts on bottom get to the top to dry...I only add water every couple of days if then...

 

[ArnucaChooks]

I dropped barley seeds on the ground in the chicken coop and placed a bread crate over the top to stop the chooks eating them. I forgot about it and after 3 days i picked it up and to my surprise i had sprouts. the chickens went nuts feeding.
I know pick different spots in the coop and put seed on the ground, water and cover when ready i lift crate for the chooks to feed.

Sprouting is I believe a great way to feed my chooks.

 

[vmdanielsen]

I've got a few 128 fl oz jars that I picked up at a yard sale. I meant to use them for Polish sour pickles but neglected to get around to it. I've been using them for sprouting, I cover the tops with cheesecloth and an elastic and just fill the jar up with water to cover the seeds, swish it around and dump it out. I mostly alternate between sprouting green lentils and BOSS, and my girls love them, I've only got 4, so a jar (half full of sprouts) lasts a couple of days. I'm trying chickpeas next since I have a giant bag I bought for a ridiculously cheap price. I can't wait to get all the way through this thread and find more ideas for potential sproutables.

I do red lentils, oats,alfalfa, wheat...anything that I can get as whole seed that hasn't been treated.

I sprout in mason jars with no lids of any sort...just open. I swish water through the jars and then drain the water out by holding a strainer upside down over the jar and letting the water drain out...works great, no muss no fuss...and the best way to make sure you don't have sprouts or seeds just sitting too long in water is to just keep sort of shaking the jars up...then the sprouts getting dry on top end up back on the bottom getting wet, while the wet sprouts on bottom get to the top to dry...I only add water every couple of days if then...

This is how I do it too.