anybody raise sprouts to feed the chickens?

[Lacy Blues]

I wouldn't give chicks fodder. Sprouts, yes, but fodder can make them crop bound and their crops are so tiny it wouldn't take much at all. I also wouldn't give sprouts that had a root longer than the actual seed, depending on the seed size. If you decide to give fodder, I'd cut it really short for them.

 

[mcleveland]

I do sproutings for my chickens. I've got 4 jars going right now. 2 Lentils,1 clover, and 1 BOSS

They LOVE them!

 

[rides2far]

I'm actually in the same boat. I don't have my chicks yet either. I actually presented the same question previously on this thread. According to others you can feed them fodder treats right away.

Thanks. Good to know.

 

[rides2far]

Boy

I absolutely love sprouting! In the warmer months my flock thrives on my compost system and food scraps, but in the winter I need a little more. I sprout ALL my grains/legumes that my birds eat during the winter. They absolutely love it. Plus! I believe sprouting can increase the digestability of proteins up to 30%! Here's a pic of some of my sprouting grains. I use a 4 bucket system to stay in constant supply! I wrote an article about how I do it. http://www.abundantpermaculture.com...30/c1aod/8F62A116-FD92-4922-946C-4987FEF79920 For more of my stuff, check out my Kickstarter for a film about raising chickens naturally from hatching to the plate! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/433709003/permaculture-chickens

. That looks good enough for a person to ear!

 

[Tutu of 5]

Living in a high humidity area, when I soak my sprouting seeds and beans I add a tsp. of GSE (grapefruit seed extract) to each container of water. It helps with keeping down the mold. I also spray with GSE and water after the soak and strain days.

I buy the GSE at the health food store.

Good Luck!!

 

[Rainey]

I wouldn't give chicks fodder. Sprouts, yes, but fodder can make them crop bound and their crops are so tiny it wouldn't take much at all. I also wouldn't give sprouts that had a root longer than the actual seed, depending on the seed size. If you decide to give fodder, I'd cut it really short for them.

We grow wheat fodder for our rabbits during the winter and have been feeding some to the goats as well recently. Would you always give chickens sprouts instead of fodder--or is that just for the chicks? If just for chicks, how old would they need to be to eat fodder without cutting it up fine?

 

[OnlyOrps]

This is a great thread! Following intently!

 

[Lacy Blues]

We grow wheat fodder for our rabbits during the winter and have been feeding some to the goats as well recently. Would you always give chickens sprouts instead of fodder--or is that just for the chicks? If just for chicks, how old would they need to be to eat fodder without cutting it up fine?

It is just for the chicks. I give my adult birds fodder as often as I can. Still though, if I happened to let it get too long (anywhere between two and six inches) I will mow it with a pair of scissors into lengths of approximately an inch and mix the mown parts into their fermented feed. I will give out the remainder (roots and about an inch or so of growth) in chunks. They delight in tearing them apart.

I don't know how old the chicks would need to be. I just kind of wing it. I watch how big they are getting to be and I can increase the size of the clippings accordingly.

I know that chicks that range with their mamas probably eat longer pieces of grass so this is just me and my preference. I would just really hate to cause one to get all crop bound.

 

[rides2far]

Can anyone on this thread explain how to ferment foods for your chickens? Also, what the heck is BOSS?

 

[bekkanblue]

BOSS - Black Oil Sunflower Seed

fermented... I've only been doing that a week but I'm putting chick feed in a container, filling with water until it's just over the feed, putting in a little apple cider vinegar (with the mother) to get the fermentation process started, giving it a stir and letting it sit. I have had to add more water once the feed soaks up what I put in initially. Chicks are getting used to it. Just started a bucket of my all-flock feed the same way and will see how that goes. The chickens have taken to the fermented I was doing with the chick feed, but not sure if it was the chick feed or the fermented aspect that got their attention! I'm also feeding oat/wheat/barley sprouts and fodder, and BOSS sprouts, as I have the various seeds. We're on oats right now.