Growing fodder for chickens

[cluckcluckluke]

Ive just picked up my wheat and trays and will be getting it all going today

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[newbie32]

It is going to take me a long time to read this whole thread but I am glad I found it!!! Living in the desert does not provide the ideal free ranging experience for my chickens. This will make my chickens super happy! I am hoping it will also cut down on feed costs because my chickens are spoiled rotten and they eat like pigs!!!!!!

 

[katsdar]

can someone tell me why fresh eggs are so hard to get the shell off after the egg is boiled

because the fresh egg has not had time for air to get in between the membrane and the shell, older eggs have the air accumulation, so using vinegar etc in the water when boiling doesn't work. I do peel under running water and that seems to help a little or just let your eggs age a little before cooking.

 

[letsrace]

Hi,
I am new to the chicken business( hobby) so please tell me how to grow or mix the seeds for fodder, and how do you store it?

 

[Tambo26]

I just ordered 5lbs of barley for sprouting! I can't wait to do this for my hens!!!

 

[Candy442]

Would something like this work?

Yes it would, you can try any sort of seed in a small glass container to see what happens after soaking, then draining and rinsing. You should see sprouts in 4-5 days. If not, then it will probably just get moldy and ferment.
There are seeds that will sprout in scratch, but there are also bits of cracked corn that may sour the mix. Straight seeds are the best bet in my opinion. I chose barley because it has a nice protein content and is very easy to grow a mat of grass in a short amount of time. Here is a photo of my bushel of barley seed:

 

[Candy442]

Hi,
I am new to the chicken business( hobby) so please tell me how to grow or mix the seeds for fodder, and how do you store it?

I used the information in the link below to start my fodder project. I have since tweaked it a bit to my growing needs since I do not have goats, just chickens.

Once the fodder grows a certain height, it goes directly out to the chickens- the grass doesn't have to grow higher than a couple or three inches for chickens. You will want to plan on starting a batch according to when you will use it as fodder is not "storable". The seeds to sprout should be kept in a cool, dry area. I keep my seeds in my pantry in the house. I usually feed a mat to my chickens every other day so I start a batch of sprouts every two to three days. I have three trays sprouting at any given time. Once it gets to the "grass stage" as shown in the photo below, it can sit under the lights maybe an extra two days (without the cover on), but watch to make sure it doesn't get too dry or too wet. some people "mist" it, but I feel the mat for how wet it is, if dry I then soak with water and then let it drip out in the laundry sink. I never let it sit in water, just give it a good soak and drip out.




Here is the link to the fodder growing instructions I use:

http://www.peakprosperity.com/wsidblog/80359/diy-home-fodder-system

It is fun and easy. You will develop your own process but the link is a start to the sprouting fodder method I found most affordable and easy for a small hobby flock (I have 11 pullets and 2 cockerels).

 

[michaelf]

My brother and I have been talking and reading about this. I bought a bag of wheat yesterday . I broadcast some over the yard to grow for our chickens to free range on. I have about half a bag of it left to use as fodder . Starting 4 containers today! I already ferment feed for them . [I add rooster booster in the water to ferment. ( vitamins, minerals, and probiotics)! Only 1 tablespoon per gallon of weather . ] I have very good results with it. Anyways this thread is awesome.

 

[StarrNico]

cool thread, might try this in a bit

 

[escape]

Boy, I'm hearing more and more about fodder. ABC even did a piece on fodder growing. There is so much great information here. It's gonna take me awhile to go through it all!

I found a Fodder DIY book on amazon that I thought I'd share:

http://www.amazon.com/Fast-Easy-DIY-Fodder-System-ebook/dp/B00HT59G0E/