Fodder for the girls

[brains]

Fed my first round today to the chickens. I am making 3 shoebox size rounds each time with a total of 9. I am going to try more holes in the batch that is soaking now
Ed

 

[kitkat6]

What's your rinse schedule? Once you get sprouting how often do you water? Love the idea of doing this over the winter for the ladies I will eventually have.

 

[usedhobarts]

Hi, I soak my wheat for about 16 hours. I rinse it well from the soak and that's the only rinse. After that I water twice a day. First thing in the morning and again in the evening My flood and drain setup assures I can't over water so more is better just to make sure there are no dry spots as the fodder will grow slower. When I was draining at an angle this was clear. Now that I'm level my fodder grows looking like a manicured lawn. I think the fact that I'm not reusing the water makes it not necessary to rinse after the post soak rinse. I ran one tub with a 24 hour soak just to see if it created any issues. So far it looks like the same as the 16 hour tub. If 24 hours proves to be just fine that will be great for daily routine. When I pull day 7 for the girls and refill that tub with soaked seed first thing in the morning it will great to just start a new soak instead of in the afternoon. Takes the process from very simple to super very simple not having to remember to start a soak in the afternoon.

 

[beansprout56]

I was confused at first, but "fodder" is just sprouts! I live in NY so can't do this in the barn, etc cuz it's freezing...where do you plan to grow this over the winter? I have 14 hens and 1 rooster that would love this!

 

[usedhobarts]

Hi, my understanding is that fodder is defined as growth over 4" . Growth under 4" is considered sprouts. My growth height on day 7 is about 6". If you notice in one of my photos I set a Mountain Dew can next to a batch for reference. I'm growing my fodder in my laundry room over the winter. It works out well in there because I can easily control the temp. Additionally I have a nice rinse sink right there with a built in drain board and I have a tee on the water line spigot feeding the washer so I can water my fodder with a short garden hose ( one of those xhose things) with an adjustable spray nozzle. It's allot quicker than using a pitcher or water can.

 

[kitkat6]

Hi, I soak my wheat for about 16 hours. I rinse it well from the soak and that's the only rinse. After that I water twice a day. First thing in the morning and again in the evening My flood and drain setup assures I can't over water so more is better just to make sure there are no dry spots as the fodder will grow slower. When I was draining at an angle this was clear. Now that I'm level my fodder grows looking like a manicured lawn. I think the fact that I'm not reusing the water makes it not necessary to rinse after the post soak rinse. I ran one tub with a 24 hour soak just to see if it created any issues. So far it looks like the same as the 16 hour tub. If 24 hours proves to be just fine that will be great for daily routine. When I pull day 7 for the girls and refill that tub with soaked seed first thing in the morning it will great to just start a new soak instead of in the afternoon.

Do you soak in a different tray since there's holes in your 'growing' tray or just place the holy *giggles* tray inside another one to hold the water in?

I'm loving that we can learn from your trial and error. It IS frustrating when someone learns what doesn't work and doesn't spread the word!

 

[Chris09]

Sprouts are from the point when "first" root (radicle) and plumule emerge from the seed, until the seed coat falls off.
Seedlings from when the seed coat falls off to when the first true leaves (not the cotyledon leaves) emerge and open.
Young plants are when the true leaves emerge.

Most of the "fodder" that I have seen on this site and some others also is when the plant is in the seedling/young plant stage.

Length of "plant" plays no role in determining if the "plant" is a Sprout, Seedling, Young Plant or Fodder.

 

[usedhobarts]

Good morning, I soak in a stainless stock pot and pour it into the new tub to rinse good and drain. Just to make sure I want everyone to understand that I'm not suggesting in any way or shape I'm a fodder expert. Im merely sharing my experience in trying to grow it successfully. Please don't construe that I'm suggesting my way works best. What I'm sharing is just what seems to work best for me. If you noticed in some of my pics my trays were doubled up. This was only because I did not want to build the tub stand until I was sure of the angle or now the decision of not having an angle. Once in my permanent fodder stand each tray will be separated by 3.5 " for each other. This will be 7 trays ( drilled) one above the other to gravity drain so I'm only having to water the top one. There will be an 8th tub ( un drilled) on the bottom to catch the draining water.

 

[kitkat6]

Good morning, I soak in a stainless stock pot and pour it into the new tub to rinse good and drain. Just to make sure I want everyone to understand that I'm not suggesting in any way or shape I'm a fodder expert. Im merely sharing my experience in trying to grow it successfully. Please don't construe that I'm suggesting my way works best. What I'm sharing is just what seems to work best for me. If you noticed in some of my pics my trays were doubled up. This was only because I did not want to build the tub stand until I was sure of the angle or now the decision of not having an angle. Once in my permanent fodder stand each tray will be separated by 3.5 " for each other. This will be 7 trays ( drilled) one above the other to gravity drain so I'm only having to water the top one. There will be an 8th tub ( un drilled) on the bottom to catch the draining water.

Great idea! I read everyone's posts on subjects that interest me so I can pick and choose what works for others and make a mashup for myself!

 

[usedhobarts]

Hi, I failed to mention why I use the stock pot. My wheat comes straight from the farmers field before it goes to commercial storage where it is often treated. With this in mind mine has not been cleaned. When I put in the stock pot submerged and stir it into a nice vortex all lite hulls and dried out seed floats while the ideal seed wheat sinks. This allows me to skim off the floating stuff. I'm told that this stuff is what ferments fast when wet and can create mold and other issues such as a foul odor. Wheat definitely can have an unpleasant odor when wet prior to sprouting. If not rinsed and cleaned really well.