Don't tell the wife, I'm growing fodder in the 2nd bathroom!

[maddog7]

Maybe it's been suggested, but I'm struggling to get thru 36 pages before I forget my suggestion ...

Lock the bathroom door and conveniently 'lose' the key

 

[gtaus]

Lock the bathroom door and conveniently 'lose' the key

Very clever. However, at my age, I could certainly lock the bathroom door, but unfortunately I'd probably really lose that key!

 

[Henn12]

This is hilarious! I’m just starting to grow fodder with a similar system. I’m curious how many are in your flock? I am using the same bins, do you feed yours one bin a day? I have 9 pullets. This is my first go around with chickens. I still have a lot to learn!

 

[gtaus]

I’m curious how many are in your flock? I am using the same bins, do you feed yours one bin a day? I have 9 pullets.

Thank you for those questions. I have 10 pullets which 6 have just started laying in the past 4 weeks. If you are using the same Dollar Tree dish bins that I do, I find that my girls will eat half a bin per day. If I give them a whole bin of fodder, then there is some left at the end of the day. Having said that, I need to mention that I have commercial feed available to them 24/7 in the coop, and I also give them whatever kitchen scraps we might have from the day. Additionally, they have about 12 inches deep of leaves in the chicken run and they are always scratching through the leaves and finding things to eat. They also get chicken scratch and now, whole corn, as the temps are dropping down into the low 30F's at night. So they have lots of different food to choose from.

I would suggest giving them half a bin at first and see how much they eat. As for me, I am planning on half a bin per day, so I will soak a new bin of seeds every other day.

 

[BReeder!]

Some of you may remember that this summer I experimented with growing barley fodder for my chickens (My $10 Inexpensive DIY Fodder Tower with Dollar Tree Dish Bins). My fodder tower was in my garage at that time. That was a successful experiment and I stated that I wanted to try growing fodder in the house this winter.

Well, it's October in Minnesota and the fresh green grass is no longer growing. Today I snuck in my fodder tower while the wife was in town. I put the fodder tower in the bathtub of our second (mostly unused) bathroom. I pulled the shower curtain across the rod so she cannot see the fodder tower if she walks past the second bathroom. Problem is, sooner or later, I know my wife will find out.

So, if anyone wants to offer a list of excuses I can use on that occasion, I'd like to hear your suggestions so I can keep peace in the family. I am kicking around a few ideas, but don't know how well they will go over when I get found out.

1) Fodder tower? What fodder tower? I don't see no fodder tower.

2) Oh yeah, I meant to tell you about that, but you were so busy that I just didn't want to bother you at the time and then I just forgot about it, I guess.

3) The chickens seemed less happy and a little less perky without fresh grass to eat, so I thought I would grow some fresh greens in the other bathroom, which we really don't use much, and you probably won't even think about it, really.

4) I got a request from the good people at BYC forums to update my article on the fodder tower and they wanted to know if I was having any success growing fodder in the house during the winter.

Any help in advance appreciated. Obviously, this is a limited time request.....

BTW, first batch of barley seeds is soaking in the first bin tonight. So I am already committed.

Tell your wife the fodder needs to stay clean. What better place for it than in the shower where it can get washed any time.

 

[Flashpoint]

Thank you for those questions. I have 10 pullets which 6 have just started laying in the past 4 weeks. If you are using the same Dollar Tree dish bins that I do, I find that my girls will eat half a bin per day. If I give them a whole bin of fodder, then there is some left at the end of the day. Having said that, I need to mention that I have commercial feed available to them 24/7 in the coop, and I also give them whatever kitchen scraps we might have from the day. Additionally, they have about 12 inches deep of leaves in the chicken run and they are always scratching through the leaves and finding things to eat. They also get chicken scratch and now, whole corn, as the temps are dropping down into the low 30F's at night. So they have lots of different food to choose from.

I would suggest giving them half a bin at first and see how much they eat. As for me, I am planning on half a bin per day, so I will soak a new bin of seeds every other day.

@gtaus Because of you (yes, it's your fault), I bought 50 lbs of barley seed. As I can get to it, I will give this a go. I'm sure the birds will enjoy it once the snow starts flying!

 

[gtaus]

@gtaus Because of you (yes, it's your fault), I bought 50 lbs of barley seed. As I can get to it, I will give this a go. I'm sure the birds will enjoy it once the snow starts flying!

Well, I get accused of causing all kinds of trouble. Just my nature, I guess. I think your chickens will like the barley fodder, but like any feed, you have to give the chickens a chance to get used to a new feed. My chickens eat all the fodder, from the tip of the grass blade down to the root mat and unsprouted seeds. So nothing goes to waste.

I tried to grow oat fodder, but was not happy with the results as the germination rate was maybe 30% compared to barley germination rate of 95%. It was worth a try, but I did not have much success with oat fodder. No loss, however, as I will just mix the dry oats in with my whole corn and/or chicken scratch.

I hope your growing barley fodder works out for you and you will post an update on your results.

 

[Flashpoint]

Well, I get accused of causing all kinds of trouble. Just my nature, I guess. I think your chickens will like the barley fodder, but like any feed, you have to give the chickens a chance to get used to a new feed. My chickens eat all the fodder, from the tip of the grass blade down to the root mat and unsprouted seeds. So nothing goes to waste.

I tried to grow oat fodder, but was not happy with the results as the germination rate was maybe 30% compared to barley germination rate of 95%. It was worth a try, but I did not have much success with oat fodder. No loss, however, as I will just mix the dry oats in with my whole corn and/or chicken scratch.

I hope your growing barley fodder works out for you and you will post an update on your results.

I will post an update once I can get time to start a couple of bins. I did bring in a bunch in a container - so that's one step accomplished.

As to chickens (or ducks and turkeys) eating it, I have no fear. I am confident that if I laid down on the ground for more than 5 minutes, there may be a few bones left by the time they are finished with me.

Otherwise, these birds free range in a variety of grasses, weeds, trees, brush, etc. I have watched all of them strip seeds from wild grasses, scarf the tomatoes and other veggies out of the garden, eat a variety of fruits, clean up any spilled "foodstuffs" found, and consistently and persistently follow me around in the event I would happen to fall over.

That does not count the non-GMO feed they get daily.

I liken them to feathered goats.....or, better yet - pterodactyls.

 

[Kimchoy19]

I just recently bought wheat seeds from my local feed store to start a fodder system. So I say go with #4.

 

[Don 27]

I just recently bought wheat seeds from my local feed store to start a fodder system. So I say go with #4.

Hope it turns out good.