Welcome sugar. I didn't get it perfect my first couple of tries either..just keep working at it. You'll get it.
I bought three of them on sale at TSC for $20.00 each. Yes they are outside on our back porch. They get shade 3/4ths of the day, but get some sunshine in the late mornings and late afternoon. It does help the growing process, and makes the fodder even more nutrient dense.
Howdy, just wanted to let you know that these sprouts need temperatures that are between 65 and 75 degrees and I'm in California so I know that is NOT easy. We are approaching temperatures of 90 right now. As to sunshine, these are seedlings, you can keep them in the shade and under the eves on day 6 and 7, before that, be very careful they burn, also dry out super easy (only a short time in the morning). So never in direct sunlight just to be safe. Actually all sprouts only require minimal light, if you can see yourself in a mirror while in your sprout room, then that is enough light.
I tried mixing, but didn't experience much help for a full sprouted mat. However they all sprouted perfectly for chickens. Oats, for me appear to take almost twice as long and requires twice as much grain in order to produce a sad looking fodder mat. That being said, it sprouted, chickens will LOVE it even if it is a tiny little sprout. DO IT! This tray hold 6 cups of sprouted oats. Impressive!?!?! Not so much if feeding to rabbits, but if feeding to chickens it is awesome! This same tray typically starts with 3 cups of wheat berries or barley to produce a mat twice as heavy and full.
Like wormrun said, you do not want them in the sun all day long, as they will dry out very quickly. But some direct sunlight for 30 minutes to an hour is good. My fodder always seems to be a darker green in color when it's been exposed to the sun more. You could do that, or you could do them inside where you could control the temperature more. When I notice my fodder is in the sun, I water all my trays well to keep them nice and moist.
How long does everyone like to let their fodder grow? Right now my oldest batch is probably coming close to 7-9 days? I was going to mark the date I started them, but was lazy and didn't. I'd like the grass to be several inches taller than it is now.I tried mixing, but didn't experience much help for a full sprouted mat. However they all sprouted perfectly for chickens. Oats, for me appear to take almost twice as long and requires twice as much grain in order to produce a sad looking fodder mat. That being said, it sprouted, chickens will LOVE it even if it is a tiny little sprout. DO IT! This tray hold 6 cups of sprouted oats. Impressive!?!?! Not so much if feeding to rabbits, but if feeding to chickens it is awesome! This same tray typically starts with 3 cups of wheat berries or barley to produce a mat twice as heavy and full.
The tray below is holding wheat, ready to harvest within a day.
Hey Aspen - Most nutrition is achieved at day 7 from what I hear. I may have read that on a site or two. I will paste a study for your viewing pleasure so you can see the nutritional breakdown. Naturally it depends upon what you are feeding as well. Rabbits for example, LOVE the greens and if I go to day 8 I don't stress. I may have gone to 9 on my sprouts again, this is not critical mass for a rabbit. If I were feeding cattle in the dead of winter, I would stick to the guidelines. If I were feeding chickens I would consider giving them this food at any stage of development for the sprout. Chickens gain calcium even from this fodder. My question is how much calcium do chickens need? Well, if the egg shells are getting thicker does that mean you've achieved nirvana? Not sure.
