Growing fodder for chickens

[CATRYNA]

Will they special order the recleaned Barley? You might try this link to order online.
http://www.shop.krusefeed.com/product.sc?productId=1473

 

[CATRYNA]

You could also try calling around to other towns.

 

[littlelizzy123]

I have a grow stand with 4ft ballasts that I use to start veggie seeds inside in the winter. I have soil blocks that I put in water tight greenhouse flats. Could I poke holes in one flat and nestle it in a watertight one? Then I could "water" the seeds and the excess water would drain out? That way I could change the water every day. I can't have a hydroponic set up like that in my house, and the unheated garage is too cold. Would it work?

 

[ArtGirl]

Hi everyone!, I didn't take the time to go through all 368 pages, so sorry if this question has already been asked...

I'm looking into starting fodder growing for my chickens and rabbits. I usually buy 50-75 pounds of feed a month for my chickens. How long would a 50 pound bag of barley or wheat last for 20-30 chickens that also free range?. Is growing fodder for animals cheaper?, how much do y'all save per month on fodder?

Thanks in advance!,
~Animals970~

I've been using a 50 pound bag of wheat since December for 15 chickens and I'm still using it. I've been giving them about a oil pans worth of it every couple days or whenever it ready. We don't us it as a food replacement but we give it to them as the grass they would get free ranging and they do seem to eat less.

 

[CATRYNA]

Hi Artgirl..... That 50-75# bag will last a long time. We have around 20 chickens that are laying we give them fodder that is made from wheat, barley and rye. On average 1 pound of wheat or barley seed will make up anywhere between 5 to 8 pounds of fodder, so 50 pounds of seed will last quite a while. When you think about the savings its phenomenal. We buy recleaned Barley for $16 per 50 lb bag. That's 32c per pound. If that 1 pound ends up making 5 lbs of fodder then.... well, I think you have figured it out by now. Our wheat is $25 per 50 lb bag, so again the savings is phenominal. We feed our ducks and chickens wheat, barley and rye fodder every day, along with mung bean sprouts.

 

[lbrykowski2011]

When growing fodder, especially in the winter, does temperature make a difference? I would like to try this, but have no room in the house, i would have to do it in the garage. Thanks

 

[CATRYNA]

Temperature does make a difference. Fodder will grow slower in the Winter vs the Summer. You also will need light, so if you grow in the garage, you will have to provide light for the fodder unless your fodder is situated near a window. I live in a 400sf trailer and this is my set up.

 

[CATRYNA]

Your idea would work perfectly. This is my setup. It's small as I live in a 400sf trailer. As you can see one container fits inside another. Each top container has around 100 holes in the bottom. I used an ice pick, to poke the holes, after soaking the container in hot water. I rinse the seeds/fodder twice a day and insert the container into the hole-less container to catch any extra drips.

 

[CATRYNA]

Littlelizzy: Your idea would work perfectly. This is my setup. It's small as I live in a 400sf trailer. As you can see one container fits inside another. Each top container has around 100 holes in the bottom. I used an ice pick, to poke the holes, after soaking the container in hot water. I rinse the seeds/fodder twice a day and insert the container into the hole-less container to catch any extra drips.

 

[brooks2873]

Can I use malted barley for fodder?