Growing fodder for chickens

[OHhappychicks]

Those that are adding boss to your fodder, are you having problems w/ mold? I don't grow fodder but do sprout and every time I have added boss to my sprout bags I get mold.

I sprouted 3 trays of wheat/boss about 1 1/2 weeks ago. I started them every other day. I had a little mold on the last 2 trays. I ran some vinegar water through them thinking it would take care of the mold. I also picked out the small spots of mold. After discovering the mold, I placed a small fan to circulate air to blow towards the rack. I had mine setting in front of a window that gets early morn sun. Our house was pretty cool during that time, as we had a cool spell with a couple of nites with frost. We heat with wood and had to build a fire in furnace to heat the house, just at nite. I fed about 3/4 of the first tray to my flock. Put the rest back on the rack and rinsed as usual. After a couple of days I went to give the rest of the tray to them, and it was FULL of mold. Checked the other 2 trays and the same! Now it has warmed up here, in upper 70's, mid 80's this week. I say all of this to ask, could it be the boss, sunlight & warmer temps, or all of the above? I'm going to start another tray today. I used 3 cups of wheat, about 1/2 cup boss to my mix. I might add a little less boss and I'm going to move my system to the basement, as it has the coolest temps in the house in the hot weather. So I'm interested in finding out if anyone else thinks the boss might be a culprit to the mold, as I didn't think of this. I think probably in my case, it is mixture of sun and temps. I also rinsed mine 2x's a day. Is this enough? I'm really trying to get this down pat before I start feeding my meat chicks, in which they should be ready for in 3-4 wks. They are a little over 1 week old now. Hopefully I will get it!!

I'm going to check out the fermenting thread. That sounds awesome! My meat birds aren't going to free range like my hens. I have 30 of them, and I don't want to have to keep watch over that many! They will have a big grassy fenced in yard to be out in and supplement with fodder and fresh whole milk mixed with their feed, occasionally. Hopefully some great tasting chickens! Never done meat birds before, so we will see!! Thanks to all for sharing!

 

[BY Chicken Lady]

I tried oats in my Fodder system and had a HORRIBLE experience. Poor sprouting, dirty water, and lots of slime. Funny, because it sprouted right up when I threw it in the worm bin..... I found feed wheat and it's been a dream. I have mine all automated with recycled water (I'm a lazy homesteader). I started my fodder system to feed the critters I want to have on my urban homestead (some rabbits, a few chickens, and a couple of mini goats). It's turned into sort of a little business since a lot of my friends wanted one..



Here's the finished Fodder (6 days):

Looks like an awesome system! I am going to have to set up something similar because we don't have any grass here winter or summer :-( and my chicks would love this! Thank you so much for sharing this.

 

[SigningChickens]

Can my bunnies eat the fodder too?

 

[SigningChickens]

I've

I sprouted 3 trays of wheat/boss about 1 1/2 weeks ago.  I started them every other day.  I had a little mold on the last 2 trays.  I ran some vinegar water through them thinking it would take care of the mold.  I also picked out the small spots of mold.  After discovering the mold, I placed a small fan to circulate air to blow towards the rack.  I had mine setting in front of a window that gets early morn sun. Our house was pretty cool during that time, as we had a cool spell with a couple of nites with frost.  We heat with wood and had to build a fire in furnace to heat the house, just at nite.  I fed about 3/4 of the first tray to my flock.  Put the rest back on the rack and rinsed as usual.  After a couple of days I went to give the rest of the tray to them, and it was FULL of mold.  Checked the other 2 trays and the same!  Now it has warmed up here, in upper 70's, mid 80's this week.  I say all of this to ask, could it be the boss, sunlight & warmer temps, or all of the above?  I'm going to start another tray today.  I used 3 cups of wheat, about 1/2 cup boss to my mix.  I might add a little less boss and I'm going to move my system to the basement, as it has the coolest temps in the house in the hot weather.  So I'm interested in finding out if anyone else thinks the boss might be a culprit to the mold, as I didn't think of this.  I think probably in my case, it is mixture of sun and temps.  I also rinsed mine 2x's a day.  Is this enough?  I'm really trying to get this down pat before I start feeding my meat chicks, in which they should be ready for in 3-4 wks.  They are a little over 1 week old now.  Hopefully I will get it!!  I'm going to check out the fermenting thread.  That sounds awesome! My meat birds aren't going to free range like my hens.  I have 30 of them, and I don't want to have to keep watch over that many!  They will have a big grassy fenced in yard to be out in and supplement with fodder and fresh whole milk mixed with their feed, occasionally.  Hopefully some great tasting chickens! Never done meat birds before, so we will see!! Thanks to all for sharing!

I've been using sprouting bags this week for BOSS and wheat and having great luck. I sewed them up and hang on them on my kitchen faucet. They've sprouted and no mold.

 

[BY Chicken Lady]

Can my bunnies eat the fodder too?

I don't see any reason that your bunnies couldn't eat whatever grasses would normally be safe for them to eat.

I bought some baskets that have holes in the bottom and sides so I can grow fodder too. Hubby is going to mount a slot to hold my fodder baskets sideways so the chicks can peck at it without stepping in the basket.

 

[OHhappychicks]

I've
I've been using sprouting bags this week for BOSS and wheat and having great luck. I sewed them up and hang on them on my kitchen faucet. They've sprouted and no mold.

How do you do this method? Sounds interesting. I started soaking 1 more batch today. Only had about 2 1/2 cups of wheat left, and added scant 1/4 c BOSS.

 

[520farmer]

How do you do this method? Sounds interesting. I started soaking 1 more batch today. Only had about 2 1/2 cups of wheat left, and added scant 1/4 c BOSS.

that should be plenty, I think that may be the exact amounts that many on this thread are using

get a container with many small holes in the bottom (should fully drain in one or 2 minutes). wash the seeds then soak 8-12 hours then sprout however you see fit, I just put the seeds in the tray and soak in the morning for 5 min. then rinse and cover with a paper towel. do some experimenting to see how often you need to rinse to keep mold out, its really hot where I live so I rinse every 2-4 hours but im a nubie and don't want my fodder to go bad

most just rinse once or twice a day. do this until the stalk starts to spilt off to another leaf and through out there whole for your chicks. you can through the boss in with the wheat, most do, ive read that boss takes a lot longer to sprout so doing it a separate tray might be a good idea if you feel so inclined, hope this helped good luck!

 

[SigningChickens]

How do you do this method?  Sounds interesting. I started soaking 1 more batch today. Only had about 2 1/2 cups of wheat left, and added scant 1/4 c BOSS.

I just put the seeds in the bags, soak them for a day and then hang them on my faucet. Each time I notice they are a bit dry, I rinse them. I've been sprouting stuff like crazy!
I don't have any dry bags to show you. I just sewed them out of whatever was around. This time it was flannel.

 

[SigningChickens]

BOSS day 2.

 

[SigningChickens]

I'm going to plant a few of these tomorrow. I figure that means free BOSS.