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

[Coopscraft]

Well, here's this to ponder Sprouted Barley Fodder Fact Sheet

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And this from a dairy producers newsletter “Sprouted Barley Fodder” Dr. Silvia Abel-Caines, article begins on page 6.

I found this under Nutritional Benefits

Positive nutritional changes occur to the grain during sprouting. Complex compounds breakdown into simpler forms and transformation into essential elements. Energy is the main reason cows eat grain. When the grain seed sprouts, starch converts into sugar, which is better utilized by the rumen. Analysis comparing sprouted versus un-sprouted organic barley showed no increase in starch, but the total starch broke down into more sugars.

Although total energy did not increase, when the rumen receives different types of carbohydrates it reacts differently. So for the health of the rumen, sprouted barley presents a much better composition than un-sprouted barley.

Mineral and vitamin levels in hydroponically-sprouted barley are significantly increased over those in grain; in addition, they are absorbed more efficiently due to the lack of enzyme inhibitors present in sprouted grain. Sprouts provide a good supply of vitamins A, E, C and B complex. Like enzymes, vitamins serve as bioactive catalysts to assist in the digestion and metabolization of feeds and the release of energy. They are also essential for healing and repairing cells. However, vitamins are very perishable and, in general, the fresher the feeds eaten, the higher the vitamin content. The vitamin content of some seeds can increase by up to 20 times their original value within several days of sprouting. These nutrients could result in enhanced microbial activity and growth in the rumen and, consequently, better than expected utilization of poor-quality hay.

Does hydroponically imply a fertilized water solution in grow light or could it be plain water in relative darkness. I guess if the plant is using its stored carbohydrates to create fiber it could also use them to increase vitamins?

 

[Kiwibird]

@gtaus is growing fodder with a lot of green. This indicates that photosynthesis is occurring. Photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide from air to build new carbohydrates within the plant.
Note that this also implies a further excuse for @gtaus. He is helping to counter global warming by creating a small carbon sink which is active during the winter months.

 

[Kusanar]

Does hydroponically imply a fertilized water solution in grow light or could it be plain water in relative darkness. I guess if the plant is using its stored carbohydrates to create fiber it could also use them to increase vitamins?

Hydroponics requires fertilizer as plants being grown hydroponically are alive (or should be at least) longer than the seed would keep them alive for. When sprouting you are not adding anything to the water so it is not true hydroponics.

I believe the best explanation I have heard as to the sprouts and fodder being better than the seed is that seeds have an "anti nutrient" in them that counters some of the nutrients when the seed is eaten (example: there are 100 somethings in the seed but there are 20 anti nutrients, now you can only process 80 of the things in the seed) but when the seed is sprouted, it converts or neutralizes the anti nutrients which makes all of the nutrients available.

I agree that the fodder being grown here is also very green, so it has not been kept in the dark (even indirect light can be enough sometimes) so it is also converting light into nutrition and the carbon in CO2 into the actual structure of the plant so there is actually more in the fodder than there was in the seed, not a great lot more, but a small bit more. Even though the weight is 5 times the grain weight, you are not getting 5x the nutrition, BUT, for a cold winter, the birds may not drink as much due to cold if not frozen water, so, having all of that water being provided in a more "fun" package that will encourage consumption is hardly a bad thing even if there are no other benefits to growing the fodder.

 

[wyoDreamer]

Back to the comment about sprouting field corn - use popcorn instead. In my experience, popcorn sprouts very well. We had a 40# bag of popcorn in the basement storage and a red squirrel got into the basement, chewed it open and it dumped onto the floor. So I sprouted it for my chickens. They absolutely love sprouted popcorn, lol.
And popcorn is fairly cheap - just buy a bag at the grocery store and start sprouting.

I also sprout wheat berries for my chickens. A friend worked at a food bank and someone dropped of a pallet of food storage stuffs that were in #10 cans. He brought the wheat home for me since the best buy date was past and they couldn't use it at the food pantry. Wheat sprouts very well also.

Oats are finicky - even planting oats, you have to have conditions right and the germination of the seed is spread out. For fodder or sprouts, you want seed that will all sprout at the same time.

 

[room onthebroom]

@gtaus is growing fodder with a lot of green. This indicates that photosynthesis is occurring. Photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide from air to build new carbohydrates within the plant.
Note that this also implies a further excuse for @gtaus. He is helping to counter global warming by creating a small carbon sink which is active during the winter months.

I love this one. When she finds it, just bulge out your eyeballs & scream, "I'M SAVING THE WORLD!" She'll be way too terrified to approach you.

 

[gtaus]

Oats are finicky - even planting oats, you have to have conditions right and the germination of the seed is spread out. For fodder or sprouts, you want seed that will all sprout at the same time.

As I said, I was not happy with the results of growing oats fodder and have decided to use the oats in a different way. I don't know if I will try fermenting the oats, or just mix them in the chicken scratch I already have.

 

[ThreeOfSeven]

Love this idea! Thanks so much for all the info that you shared. You make it sound SO EASY!

 

[gtaus]

You make it sound SO EASY!

It is easy. Thanks.

 

[Kusanar]

I love the fact that this is a "sneaky" thread so of course it's featured and all over the front page! Someone has a sense of humor

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Just saw this pop up in the featured thread list. @gtaus
Your behind is had now.
Better start planning your escape route.