Growing fodder for chickens

[pawtraitart]

It has to do with oxygen exchange/fermentation. If the seed is too thick for the amount of water flow and oxygen exchange, you increase the chances of the seed fermenting rather than sprouting.

 

[Chris09]

The fodder method we are talking about is based on a wheat or barley base which are about the same size. No doubt if you are using a larger percentage of seed other than wheat or barley you would have to make adjustments accordingly.

It doesn't matter what you are planting the planting depth is determined by the seed size not the watering method like you stated here, "The seed depth depends on your watering method."

Lets look at it like this, if you are planting Wheat, Oats or Barley it is planted at or around the depth of a 1/4 to 1/2 inch and it doesn't matter if you are misting, bottom watering or hydro.

Chris

 

[Chris09]

Hows does depth apply when there is no soil or medium involved? This is more of a thickness issue.

If there is no soil or medium involved, as in what way?
Are you growing then on a flat surface with a paper towel under then or in a bucket of water as you would for sprouting or fermenting?

Chris

 

[pawtraitart]

It doesn't matter what you are planting the planting depth is determined by the seed size not the watering method like you stated here, "The seed depth depends on your watering method."

Lets look at it like this, if you are planting Wheat, Oats or Barley it is planted at or around the depth of a 1/4 to 1/2 inch and it doesn't matter if you are misting, bottom watering or hydro.

Chris

I based my statement on my experiment results regarding different issues such as seed drying out, mold, temperature, fermentation rather than sprouting, germination rate, etc. Watering method does matter in my experience. Others might have different results growing fodder and it's great to see what others have tried. That's the fun part about coming together and sharing ideas.

 

[pawtraitart]

If there is no soil or medium involved, as in what way?
Are you growing then on a flat surface with a paper towel under then or in a bucket of water as you would for sprouting or fermenting?

Chris

The fodder seed is soaked in a bucket for 12 to 24 hours and then put on a tray with holes in the bottom. No towel or medium. I put a tray without holes under my tray with holes to capture any extra moisture after rinsing 1 to 2x a day. Some folks use a hydroponic system which is set on a timer to automatically take water from a reservoir and rain down on the seed flats at timed intervals. I don't have an automatic system right now as I'm doing small scale experiments. Next year, I hope to build a bigger system that runs automatically. It will provide me fodder during the winter months. I don't have a temperature controlled area to put one up to run during the warmer months. At any rate, it's a lot of fun!

 

[Chris09]

I based my statement on my experiment results regarding different issues such as seed drying out, mold, temperature, fermentation rather than sprouting, germination rate, etc. Watering method does matter in my experience. Others might have different results growing fodder and it's great to see what others have tried. That's the fun part about coming together and sharing ideas.

Well from my 35+ years of Horticulture experience I will let you know this,

Seeds drying out is do to improper watering.
Mold is do to improper air circulation and incorrect watering.
Ideal temperature for most seeds is 65* to 70*
Fermentation most likely isn't going to happen in a growing medium unless the medium is sopping wet and then they are most likely to rot.
If planted and care for correctly germination depends on the type of seed and the quality of that seed.

None of the above should anything to do with the depth of which a seed is planted.

Chris

 

[pawtraitart]

Well from my 35+ years of Horticulture experience I will let you know this,

Seeds drying out is do to improper watering.
Mold is do to improper air circulation and incorrect watering.
Ideal temperature for most seeds is 65* to 70*
Fermentation most likely isn't going to happen in a growing medium unless the medium is sopping wet and then they are most likely to rot.
If planted and care for correctly germination depends on the type of seed and the quality of that seed.

None of the above should anything to do with the depth of which a seed is planted.

Chris

I respect your 35 years of horticulture experience. No doubt you have grown a lot of things during that time! My statements are solely based on my own personal experiences and what I see in front of my own eyes. Everyone's opinion and on hand experience with growing medium free fodder for their poultry and other livestock is welcome. For me, in my own trials, the seed thickness, maybe "depth" isn't the correct planting term in this case, is around 1/2 inch. Keeping the seed at 60 to 65 works best for me. Higher than that and mold became an issue. Also, whichever watering method folks use, the overall goal is to keep the seed free of excess starch and bacteria as there isn't soil which contain microbes that deal with such issues in a ground plot environment. Thanks for your input, Chris.

Happy growing everybody! I'm looking forward to hearing how everybody is doing. Also, if anybody has more nutrition info to share, please post.

 

[Cynthia12]

I respect your 35 years of horticulture experience. No doubt you have grown a lot of things during that time! My statements are solely based on my own personal experiences and what I see in front of my own eyes. Everyone's opinion and on hand experience with growing medium free fodder for their poultry and other livestock is welcome. For me, in my own trials, the seed thickness, maybe "depth" isn't the correct planting term in this case, is around 1/2 inch. Keeping the seed at 60 to 65 works best for me. Higher than that and mold became an issue. Also, whichever watering method folks use, the overall goal is to keep the seed free of excess starch and bacteria as there isn't soil which contain microbes that deal with such issues in a ground plot environment. Thanks for your input, Chris.

Happy growing everybody! I'm looking forward to hearing how everybody is doing. Also, if anybody has more nutrition info to share, please post.

Hey pawtraitart! Guess what I discovered to work well for me?! I am putting a wet paper towel over my new wheat seeds..those old seeds just weren't doing anything..so, as you read, I have a lot of old wheat to get rid of. I thought I would try the wet paper towel just to see what happens. I do rinse in the morning, then, I put the wet paper towel there for the rest of the day. It's working wonders!
Thank you so much for starting this thread. It's been fun learning and watching every ones grow..hey, now I can take a couple of pictures to share. Mine are really budding out. I started two more new little bins this morning. This is going to be great to have some green for chickens this winter. )

 

[kreagerm]

I would put some bleach in your initial soak bucket and go with a seed layer of around 1/2" when you spread them in your trays/totes. When you rinse them, the water should run clear. If it's cloudy, then keep rinsing until you get all the starch out.

Thanks for the feedback. Just a quick update from today's growth.

Up until today I had to keep the fodder in the garage where it's pretty chilly and because of the hurricane this is the first day we've had sun in about 5-6 days. So this morning I put them outside and man did the growth take off. I swear they grew so much in today's sun. I hope it's sunny the next few days because this stuff is finally starting to come in nicely. And i didn't notice any mold!!!!

 

[pawtraitart]

Hey pawtraitart! Guess what I discovered to work well for me?! I am putting a wet paper towel over my new wheat seeds..those old seeds just weren't doing anything..so, as you read, I have a lot of old wheat to get rid of. I thought I would try the wet paper towel just to see what happens. I do rinse in the morning, then, I put the wet paper towel there for the rest of the day. It's working wonders!
Thank you so much for starting this thread. It's been fun learning and watching every ones grow..hey, now I can take a couple of pictures to share. Mine are really budding out. I started two more new little bins this morning. This is going to be great to have some green for chickens this winter. )

Thanks for the update! I remember seeing a video where they put a piece of damp newspaper over the seed for the first couple days. Your paper towel would do the same thing. It totally makes sense. Awesome!!