Growing fodder for chickens

[MyTDogs]

Well we started our fodder Friday night, soaked and then wandering our  place yesterday dh found these plastic shelving units someone gave us.  He turned them upside down to make our fodder system.  He drilled lots of tiny holes in them so that they drain well.  Today they were sprouting already!!!  We started another shelf of it today and have more soaking.  We have enough shelving units for 6 sets.  We hope one set will be enough for our birds each day but not sure.  But they will still get their pellets so this will just be additional greens for them.  I did add some white clover seeds to the first days trays so it is Barley and White Clover, the next days is 1/2 wheat and 1/2 Barley (traded 6 RIR roos for 50#s of wheat lol). 

Cool set up!

 

[pawtraitart]

Wow! That looks great. That's fun that your DH got interested in doing this. I have also been looking for shelves! Now, I am not sure that I have seen this posted yet or not, but who can tell me how long the fodder will last once grown. I know I can either cut the grass, or feed it all to the chickens, but can I keep it longer in a cool room? As I write, I'm thinking, probably need to feed it pretty quickly. I think I am going to have a lot left over..so, doing small bins and starting them a day or two apart. Just to see how that works.

I feed the whole thing. Actually, since I have more than one coop I flip the biscuit over and slice through the roots so I have 3 pieces per flat. The chickens don't always eat all of the roots, but they eat most of it. My sheep eat the whole thing, roots and all. The sheep don't get fodder everyday.....only when they seriously beg if they see me walk by with that tasty green stuff. Sheep can be pretty pathetic beggars. LOL

 

[pawtraitart]

Well we started our fodder Friday night, soaked and then wandering our place yesterday dh found these plastic shelving units someone gave us. He turned them upside down to make our fodder system. He drilled lots of tiny holes in them so that they drain well. Today they were sprouting already!!! We started another shelf of it today and have more soaking. We have enough shelving units for 6 sets. We hope one set will be enough for our birds each day but not sure. But they will still get their pellets so this will just be additional greens for them. I did add some white clover seeds to the first days trays so it is Barley and White Clover, the next days is 1/2 wheat and 1/2 Barley (traded 6 RIR roos for 50#s of wheat lol).

Great looking setup!!

 

[Tarps]

Is their a certain age the chickens have to be to use fodder instead of feed?

 

[pawtraitart]

Good question! In my opinion, I'd wait until they are nearly grown. The long strand fiber in the grass might be a bit difficult for a baby. Their gizzards are small and not as tough. So.....maybe 14+ weeks old? A little once in awhile won't hurt a 7 week old youngster in my opinion, but I'd be careful with birds that have a lot of growing to do. Anybody else have an answer? I admit, that question hasn't come to mind as I only grow fodder in the winter when I don't usually have babies around. Thanks for bringing it up, Tarps!

 

[Chris09]

Is their a certain age the chickens have to be to use fodder instead of feed?

You could feed it to chicks as long as you offer a chick size grit, if you think about it chicks that hatched by a free range hen will eat grass and greens at about 2 days old.

Chris

 

[kreagerm]

Yeah!!!! It seems like the growth speeds up as it greens, at least for wheat. At first it's like....you gonna do something?....and then...BAM!

Fun, isn't it? 

It's very cool to see so much growth in just a day, can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

 

[DMRippy]

Quote: Exactly what I was thinking!

 

[pawtraitart]

Tarps....I've asked a few poultry breeder friends of mine and the general consensus is that it is okay to have the fodder there for baby chicks to eat, but only if their regular baby appropriate rations are there so they don't fill their small crops with large grains and fiber that will take a long time to digest. As small as their crops are, they will grow better if they get maximum nutrition in every bite. Also, there was some talk about crop impactions. If the chicks have appropriately sized grit in their gizzards beforehand, this will lessen the chance for a blockage. Interesting question.

 

[pawtraitart]

My lentils are starting to sprout! My newest fodder mix trial is 1 lb of wheat, 2 oz. boss, and 1 oz lentils.