Growing fodder for chickens

[CATRYNA]

You can pretty much get the same result without the dirt. You just have to punch or drill some holes in the bottom of your container, set it inside another and water. Or set up a rack system so that the upper containers drip into one below. I live in a 400 sf trailer so my set up is quite small, but adequate. The smaller containers measure 5.5" x 8", the larger 10" x 14".

 

[dutchbunny83]

Just bought a 50lbs bag of wheat seed to start fodder (had the hardest time finding grains, been wanting to do this for awhile).

I know I need to restart the fodder everyday to keep the cycle going but how much fodder do I need a day for 50 birds? (I'm making it in the black plant starter flats).

Also how much for rabbits? (We have 5 NZ meat rabbits & 4 pet rabbits, 2 guinea pigs).

Thanks!

 

[brooks2873]

I bought 50 lbs of rolled barley for horses. Can I make fodder out of that for my chickens?

 

[CATRYNA]

Rolled Barley? No, it would have to be re-cleaned Barley. Crushing and or cutting the grain destroys it's ability to germinate. The grain has to be intact and fertile in order to grow. I recently tried to sprout red lentils. I have always had success sprouting green and brown lentils and thought the red would be very pretty, once they sprouted. They never sprouted. So much for that.I generally stick to sprouting Wheat, Barley, green and brown lentils, sunflower seeds and mung beans.

 

[brooks2873]

What kind of barley do I need. I got this from a feed store in Jacksonville Florida.

 

[butch vb]

you bet my chicks have had fodder since they were 3 days old barley and wheat turns them into little sharks they love it, ijust use as a treat no more than they can eat in 5 min twice a day when they get older will get more also reaising mealworms great easy to raise high protein they love em also been giving alfalfa leaves that i clean off my trailer after feeding horses finishing my trailer that i can attach to my coop built on trailer moble home with enclosed patio when i am done

 

[CATRYNA]

Brooks 2873: Re-cleaned Barley.

 

[potagergirl]

Hello,
I don't know if I over looked the oats or if I just didn't make it far enough into the posts but:
what kind of oats do you buy to grow? Are they like horse feed oats?

thank you,

 

[mamabear72]

Is it better to grow fodder in a clear or black container or does it really matter? It seems like the seeds would sprout faster in the dark, then once started moved to a lighter area?

Thank you!

 

[ArtGirl]

Hello,
I don't know if I over looked the oats or if I just didn't make it far enough into the posts but:
what kind of oats do you buy to grow? Are they like horse feed oats?

thank you,

What you want to look for is uncut wheat or barley. Wheat is easier to grow but barley is thicker so it's up to you what you like. We got red wheat at our feed store and it worked good.