feeding corn and dried wheat seeds as diet

[chickenshiha]

so barley is malt to right is that good for them?

 

[Egghead_Jr]

There is no alcohol in spent brew grains. What I was suggesting is to ask at a local brewery for spent grain. You'd likely get it for free.

Of grains barley is the most nutritious/digestible. Sprouting grains will increase the protein content. Barely sprouted for 7 days will increase protein by roughly 3 percent. The initial protein content of barely varies by type and region 9-18% so I've no idea what is in Palestine.

 

[chickenshiha]

i have some barley but they wont eat anymore they like soft and moisty stuff can I do this at home as there are no brewers here ?

 

[Egghead_Jr]

If you don't know how to sprout grain then google it. Add water grain and wait 7 days, let sprout, then feed that.

 

[shortgrass]

You could ferment it. That's what I would do

I ferment wheat, corn, alfalfa, millet, oats, and BOSS together for about 4 days and feed it to them. You want an airtight bucket with a lid; fill it 1/2 way with the grain, and cover with water and keep the lid on it, opening it daily to let it "breathe". Keep it at about 65 degrees F for best growth, and scoop and feed as needed, replenishing with fresh grain.

It'll be soft and moist, and increase nutrition from the fermenting process.

You can add some greens and veggie scraps for extra vitamins as needed, and don't forget to give them access to oyster shell, as corn and wheat might not have enough calcium for them to lay at optimum.

Best wishes!

 

[chickenshiha]

egg head and shortgrass thanks that's what I was trying to say should they sprout a little or 3 inches tall or so and can I leave a hole on the bucket lid for air and also I planted it in the garden 3days ago and they are really about a half an inch tall I just cut the barley grass to give to the hens

 

[Free Spirit]

You can increase the quality and nutrition of the wheat if you sprout it. You can read about Growing Fodder For Chickens in this thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/713334/growing-fodder-for-chickens

Basically it's growing mats of wheat grass. All it takes is wheat seeds and water and about 5-7 days to let it grow. Then you can feed it to the chickens.

I should add that you do not need soil to grow the mats of wheat grass.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

When feeding sprouted grain you feed the grain and all not just the plant. Allowing to germinate for a 5-7 days soaked should only be producing the root. Fodder is when you use wire to protect the plant underneath and let them eat the greens growing through. Some folks like to put fodder beds in the run. Fermenting is just what it sounds like, bacterial process converting starch to sugar. That's part of the brewing process too but can be done with feed but access to yeast and bacteria is needed. Some use unfiltered/unpastured cider with the mother to jump start the fermenting process. Once you have a batch going you use some of it as a starter for the next batch.

 

[shortgrass]

egg head and shortgrass thanks that's what I was trying to say should they sprout a little or 3 inches tall or so and can I leave a hole on the bucket lid for air and also I planted it in the garden 3days ago and they are really about a half an inch tall I just cut the barley grass to give to the hens

Sounds like you're sprouting You don't have to cut it from the ground; you can pull it up, roots and all, or if you want it to stay growing in the ground like grass, you can sure cut it like grass

It's confusing lol, fodder is growing the grain, kind of like sprouting greens for salads Fermenting is what we do to make saurkraut or kimchi, airtight, no sprouting, but bacteria start breaking down the grain so its soft and full of enzymes.

Both are great options, and you'll get more out of your grain either way.