Growing fodder for chickens

[UrbanMamaHen]

Oh no! I can see myself doing fermented feed next. Does fermented feed really reduce the stinkiness level of the poop?

 

[Sunflowergirl]

Fuzziecreatures, earlier in the fall, when it was warmer for me, I had some problems with mold in the older trays. When they had a good root mat, I started taking them out of the tray and setting them on a tub lid so they could "dry out" a bit better on the edges.

We are having a problem with our 2 oldest trays and would love any suggestions. I soak the seeds for 24hrs, rinse the seeds, spray down with 10:1 water/bleach, and rotate daily. There is a grow light in there because the fodder wasn't green anymore, it turned yellow! We keep getting this foamy mold? Extends into the tray about 4 inches, only one end. When I turned the trays, it formed on both ends. I tried adjusting the timer to every 2 hrs for 5 minutes, or every 4 hrs for 5 minutes, or every 8 hrs for 10 minutes

 

[UrbanMamaHen]

I find that fodder older than six days tend to get moldy. I now try to use mine no later than six days old

 

[fowlsessed]

Have those of you thinking about meal worms looked into Black Soldier Fly Larvae? They are my "dream come true" for producing something crawly for the birds. I find them better than crickets, worms and meal worms, look them up. They are self-harvesting, feed off of scraps and the manure and are self-propagating, too. Almost too good to be true!

 

[Chicks Galore3]

Ok, wow! After switched to a different method I am seeing little tails on day 2 of my wheat berries! It took me 6 days last time!

 

[sonew123]

Ive got more boss on day 5 but my wheat came !!!!! Si im starting some as I have an empty tray!

 

[UrbanMamaHen]

Ive got more boss on day 5 but my wheat came !!!!! Si im starting some as I have an empty tray!

If this is the wheat from walmart, make sure you open with care. A friend of mine almost lost a fingernail prying the sealed lid open.

 

[ChickenPeep]

If this is the wheat from walmart, make sure you open with care. A friend of mine almost lost a fingernail prying the sealed lid open.

I almost lost all my fingernails trying to open it!

 

[SarahMelisse]

How much 7-9 day fodder are you all feeding per adult laying hen? I'm just looking for an estimate so I know what to aim for.

 

[UrbanMamaHen]

I almost lost all my fingernails trying to open it!

Sorry, but I laughed out loud after reading your post. I gave up trying (because I wanted to keep my fingernails) and asked DH to open it. He got a screwdriver and pried it off.