Growing fodder for chickens

[Amiga]

Do you keep soaking even after it has sprouted?

I soak overnight, then drain, rinse, set out in the pan, then rinse three times a day. Water in, water out.

 

[ArtGirl]

Only soak them for the first 24 hours. Then just rinse them. We rinse them twice a day and they stay very moist.

 

[tillyita]

All I know is what has happened to me.  I used to keep pelleted feed in a metal trash can because of the mice.  I also used to get moldy feed in the metal trash can that wasn't moldy when I put it in there.  Also, a metal roof on an open air coop will sweat.  I just put two and two together and found out that it really does equal four.

Maybe the silos have an air space between walls for insulation?

All I know is what has happened to me.  I used to keep pelleted feed in a metal trash can because of the mice.  I also used to get moldy feed in the metal trash can that wasn't moldy when I put it in there.  Also, a metal roof on an open air coop will sweat.  I just put two and two together and found out that it really does equal four.

Maybe the silos have an air space between walls for insulation?

No there is no airspace - maybe it is just heaps more humid where you are. All my chicken and horse feed are kept in metal containers.

 

[SilverDuck284]

Thanks to everyone for this awesome info! I love this idea and I can't wait to start doing it. I just have couple of questions!

I have 6 buff orpingtons, 5 laying hens and a roo. How much dry seed, in cups or ounces, should use per day? Has anyone figured out an amount per bird per day ratio, or is it trial and error? My birds have run of the yard to free range, plus they get all the kitchen scraps, mealworms, and scratch on a regular basis. Can I use this as a replacement for commercial feed? Or would they require other supplements for that to work?

 

[Amiga]

Thanks to everyone for this awesome info! I love this idea and I can't wait to start doing it. I just have couple of questions!

I have 6 buff orpingtons, 5 laying hens and a roo. How much dry seed, in cups or ounces, should use per day? Has anyone figured out an amount per bird per day ratio, or is it trial and error? My birds have run of the yard to free range, plus they get all the kitchen scraps, mealworms, and scratch on a regular basis. Can I use this as a replacement for commercial feed? Or would they require other supplements for that to work?

From what I have read, it is not a replacement for commercial feed, I have seen estimates for optimal portion of their diet from 20 to 50 percent, don't recall if any of those were backed up with formal research. Right now I am going for about 25% by weight.

For a flock of 13 runners and buffs, I use a cup of seeds a day, more or less. They don't always get the entire small tray in one day.

 

[EmeraldSkye]

Quote:
Metal bins will sweat on the inside and keeping feed in them can be hazardous as it will cause your feed to mold. I use very large trash cans and/or kitchen trash cans with the step lever to raise the top. Water does not get in and it will hold 50 pounds of feed.

I read somewhere online that if you have problems with the metal sweating, put a plastic bucket inside a metal can. Food in the plastic bucket, find one that fits inside the metal can. Bucket can be bought at a hardware store. Of course, that's if you don't mind the size of the 5 gallon bucket. Then you just have to get a metal can that the bucket can fit into.

 

[Concerned01]

My girls Loved the fodder I did a mix, hand feed the first bite and that was it, so proud of them.

 

[Concerned01]

 

[Amiga]

 

[RoyalPayne]

thought I'd check into the fodder conversation after almost 2 years. Whew! Was alarmed at the mis info out there. Let me address two: 1, yes fodder is meant to replace commercial feed. 2, one garden flat (22 x 10, sorry don't know metric conversion) is enough to feed 40 chickens. I know, I know, it doesn't seem like enough, however, two years in and none of my hens are underweight or sickly. Oh! Also , please go back to post #1 and start reading. Within the first 5 pages you'll have all the info you need, including a link to plans for a fodder growing system. Within the first 50 pages you'll discover the info one member posted on the nutrient level for every imaginable grain grown. Somewhere in the posts I learned baked potatoe skins are 80% protein. Now my chickens receive potatoe skin bacon grease snacks when ever I have enough ingredients. If this is something you plan to do, I cannot stress enought the need for you to start at post #1.