Barley Fodder Protein

[Morrigan]

True that ruminants process fiber better than poultry. However, if the sprouts are fed out at the sprout stage, instead of holding them to the fodder stage, the amount of fiber would be greatly decreased. I feed out my sprouts before the grass blade has exited the monocot sheath. IMO, the fiber content at that stage would be minimal, while the nutrient level should actually be higher than it would be at the fodder stage. The day before I intend to feed my sprouts, they go on the window sill to "green up".

The best way to assess how a flock does with sprouts or fodder is to actually do it. Monitoring flock condition, as well as their fecal output seems appropriate no matter what feed you are using.

That's interesting. Simply as a function of the size of my trays, I feed about half of my sprouted seeds (barley, wheat and sunflower) when they truly sprouts (day 3) and the other half, after they have gotten green shoots (day 4). The chickens definitely prefer the day 3 fodder, but still enjoy the older shoots as well. All and all, the sprouts/fodder are only about 1/4th , at most, of their diet. Everyone's healthy, they like it, and it seems like some grass/sprout matter would be a normal part of a birds diet, so it's working for my flock. I toyed with the idea of upping the fodder rations in the winter where they have no other green forage options, but decided instead to integrate some small amount of alfalfa into their fermented feed. So far, so good.

 

[Titan Farm]

To be honest sprouted grain shouldn't need any light, all your doing is sprouting them not growing them.

 

[rjohns39]

That's interesting. Simply as a function of the size of my trays, I feed about half of my sprouted seeds (barley, wheat and sunflower) when they truly sprouts (day 3) and the other half, after they have gotten green shoots (day 4). The chickens definitely prefer the day 3 fodder, but still enjoy the older shoots as well. All and all, the sprouts/fodder are only about 1/4th , at most, of their diet. Everyone's healthy, they like it, and it seems like some grass/sprout matter would be a normal part of a birds diet, so it's working for my flock. I toyed with the idea of upping the fodder rations in the winter where they have no other green forage options, but decided instead to integrate some small amount of alfalfa into their fermented feed. So far, so good.

alfalfa is a great choice.