Growing fodder for chickens

[TennesseeChicken]

We put milo in our homemade chicken feed and with the rain we've been getting lately, some of the leftover feed has been getting wet and soaking overnight. Of course, nothing really sprouts. All the hens and roos seem to be doing fine with that, but it is good to know about milo! LOL Thanks!

 

[melodyrg]

I'm doing my first attempt at fodder. So far the rye seems to have sprouted. It will stay until I get a reasonable grass blade on it, then feed it to the chickens. Someone posted something saying that the taste of the eggs is bad if you feed them fodder. Has anyone noticed this? My goal has been to be able to use fodder or something of the like for all of their food. I prefer homemade things for food if at all possible. I chose rye because it's easy to come by and even if the girls don't like it, It will spruce up my lawn and make it look green this time of year.

Right now, as a trial batch, I'm using an old colander in the kitchen to sprout the rye, but if all goes well I'll have to set up something a little more permanent. We only have 1 - 2 months that get chilly, so I can probably do the permanent set up in my barn's screen porch.

I wouldn't really recommend using it as your only source of feed. They need more nutrients, especially if they're layers. Think a balanced diet.

 

[ChickenPeep]

Here's my fodder-in-the-making! I think it about day 5?

 

[sonew123]

My wheat berries smell like fresh bread dough!!!! I love it.

Where can i get some? Whats a good price?

 

[NotAFarm]

Nat, Do you have a Costco anywhere near you? They have buckets of wheat berries on their website. It's under the "Emergency Kits & Supplies" .....here's a link http://www.costco.com/355-Total-Ser...d-Kit-by-Shelf-Reliance.product.11748488.html You have to be a member to buy from them.

...and a link to Pleasant Hill Grain that sells grain in bulk

http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/bu...d_white_wheat_berries_making_bread_flour.aspx

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Hi I just jumped in the thread and so forgive me please if this is out of context:

I buy wheat berries from the feed store in a 50 lb bag for the chickens. They sell hard red winter wheat and soft white wheat. I think the label says whole wheat???

 

[sonew123]

Nat, Do you have a Costco anywhere near you?  They have buckets of wheat berries on their website.  It's under the "Emergency Kits & Supplies" .....here's a link  http://www.costco.com/355-Total-Ser...d-Kit-by-Shelf-Reliance.product.11748488.html  You have to be a member to buy from them.

...and a link to Pleasant Hill Grain that sells grain in bulk

http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/bu...d_white_wheat_berries_making_bread_flour.aspx

Nope! Hmmm but wonder if sams club might? Off to research? Lol

 

[caj1985]

Nat, Do you have a Costco anywhere near you? They have buckets of wheat berries on their website. It's under the "Emergency Kits & Supplies" .....here's a link http://www.costco.com/355-Total-Ser...d-Kit-by-Shelf-Reliance.product.11748488.html You have to be a member to buy from them.

...and a link to Pleasant Hill Grain that sells grain in bulk

http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/bu...d_white_wheat_berries_making_bread_flour.aspx

Do you have a Church of Latter Day Saints near you? Most of their members would know of a source for bulk whole wheat because they are required to keep a year's worth of food on hand if possible.

 

[UrbanMamaHen]

Where can i get some? Whats a good price?

Sam's club, Costco, and walmart have them online. Cheapest is Sam's club @ $20 for 45 lbs of hard red wheat and $24 for 45 lbs of hard white wheat. These prices exclude shipping. But I just got a pail of 26 lbs of hard white wheat from walmart (online) for $14. Shipping is an additional $5 or free if you purchase is over $45. If walmart shows out of stock, just check back in a couple of days and it will be in stock again. The item is popular as it seems to be out of stock frequently. Shipping was quite fast. I got mine delivered three days after I placed the order.

 

[groverlvchx]

Hi I just jumped in the thread and so forgive me please if this is out of context:

I buy wheat berries from the feed store in a 50 lb bag for the chickens. They sell hard red winter wheat and soft white wheat. I think the label says whole wheat???

Food grade wheat berries are cleaner and great for grinding your own flour to make bread. I went to the local feed and seed (farm & garden) and asked for wheat for growing. I got 50# for $16. I rinse it before soaking. It works great and the chickens love it!