Growing fodder for chickens

[dutchbunny83]

I've looked through here and can't seem to find the answer.

I have 20 chickens. How much fodder a day will I need to completely remove layer pellets? I also give treats, table scraps, & grit. They free range, but we really don't have any grass. We live in the sandhills, so ground is all sand. The little grass we had they ate a year ago & they've never let it grow back.

Also has anyone attempted this with meat birds??? I don't know that the protein would be enough? I'm sure they'd go through more than I could grow.

Finally, we have 10 rabbits. Does anyone know how much fodder I'd need for them in a day?

THANK YOU!!!

PS- anyone have issue with their seeds starting to mold before fodder grows? This happened on my last batch, I think DH may have over watered?

 

[CATRYNA]

BROOKS2873: I have never tried to sprout Malted Barley. My understanding of Malted Barley is that the sprouting has already been started and then stopped by heating the seed for a time. That heating may have destroyed it's ability to progress. Try an experiment and see what happens. The worst that can happen is that it won't sprout and the best is that it will ferment, which your chickens will love.

 

[CATRYNA]

I've looked through here and can't seem to find the answer.

I have 20 chickens. How much fodder a day will I need to completely remove layer pellets? I also give treats, table scraps, & grit. They free range, but we really don't have any grass. We live in the sandhills, so ground is all sand. The little grass we had they ate a year ago & they've never let it grow back.

Also has anyone attempted this with meat birds??? I don't know that the protein would be enough? I'm sure they'd go through more than I could grow.

Finally, we have 10 rabbits. Does anyone know how much fodder I'd need for them in a day?

THANK YOU!!!

PS- anyone have issue with their seeds starting to mold before fodder grows? This happened on my last batch, I think DH may have over watered?

You might try spraying your trays with H2O2 and then rinsing. I have never had a problem with mold since I started doing that. We have 20 chickens also and some ducks. A large portion of their diet is fodder and weeds that we weed whack or pull for them. At one time we allowed them to forage, but lost too many to coyotes and raccoons, so they are in large yards now. We grow fodder out a number of different grains; Wheat, Barley, Rye, Flaxseed as well as Mung beans. This way they have variety of different proteins and other nutrients. But, we also free feed them lay pellets and kitchen scraps. They all prefer the "real food" as in weeds, fodder and sprouts. I know of people who have raised meat chickens, rabbits and quail strictly on fodder and they do very well. We are thinking of doing this in future ourselves. You probably will need to experiment as to how much fodder your animals will eat. Keep in mind some animals will refuse to eat fodder unless they have been raised on it. It's all an experiment in any case.

Here is what my fodder set up looked like when I had it in my 400sf trailer. The next picture is our new set up in our daughter's home.

 

[dutchbunny83]

You might try spraying your trays with H2O2 and then rinsing. I have never had a problem with mold since I started doing that. We have 20 chickens also and some ducks. A large portion of their diet is fodder and weeds that we weed whack or pull for them. At one time we allowed them to forage, but lost too many to coyotes and raccoons, so they are in large yards now. We grow fodder out a number of different grains; Wheat, Barley, Rye, Flaxseed as well as Mung beans. This way they have variety of different proteins and other nutrients. But, we also free feed them lay pellets and kitchen scraps. They all prefer the "real food" as in weeds, fodder and sprouts. I know of people who have raised meat chickens, rabbits and quail strictly on fodder and they do very well. We are thinking of doing this in future ourselves. You probably will need to experiment as to how much fodder your animals will eat. Keep in mind some animals will refuse to eat fodder unless they have been raised on it. It's all an experiment in any case.

Here is what my fodder set up looked like when I had it in my 400sf trailer. The next picture is our new set up in our daughter's home.

Thank you!
I saw these photos earlier in the thread, great set up!
Right now I have mine in those flats you would start seedlings in (the flats on the bottom not the actual cells), but it's not the best set up. You seem to have a lot invested in totes, they're not cheap! It looks really great though!
I have mine outside as we don't have the space inside or the lighting, but my smaller leghorn pullets managed to get themselves up on it (thought it was high enough, but they're great little fliers). I was thinking about trying to set them up on the roof of the coop? I don't know, I like your storage shelf maybe I can find something like that.
For as many animals as I have to keep the cycle going I'm going to need to figure something better out I need much more!

 

[nguyenkinhphuc2]

You might try spraying your trays with H2O2 and then rinsing. I have never had a problem with mold since I started doing that. We have 20 chickens also and some ducks. A large portion of their diet is fodder and weeds that we weed whack or pull for them. At one time we allowed them to forage, but lost too many to coyotes and raccoons, so they are in large yards now. We grow fodder out a number of different grains; Wheat, Barley, Rye, Flaxseed as well as Mung beans. This way they have variety of different proteins and other nutrients. But, we also free feed them lay pellets and kitchen scraps. They all prefer the "real food" as in weeds, fodder and sprouts. I know of people who have raised meat chickens, rabbits and quail strictly on fodder and they do very well. We are thinking of doing this in future ourselves. You probably will need to experiment as to how much fodder your animals will eat. Keep in mind some animals will refuse to eat fodder unless they have been raised on it. It's all an experiment in any case.

Here is what my fodder set up looked like when I had it in my 400sf trailer. The next picture is our new set up in our daughter's home.

 

[dutchbunny83]

I think H202 is hydrogen peroxide so washing with that could prevent the mold.

Been awhile since chemistry so don't hold me to that, but thought that was the chemical formula.

 

[pecker head]

H2o2 is hydrogen peroxide.

 

[nguyenkinhphuc2]

H2o2 is hydrogen peroxide.

My bad. Sorry!!!!

 

[rosinsk1772]

I have been sifting through the pages, but this concept is taking seeds, and filling a pan then watering without using soil. Is that pretty much it? Or am I putting seeds in soil

Thanks

 

[CATRYNA]

Don't worry H2O2 is Hydrogen Peroxide. Spraying it on your tray or container that will be holding your seeds or grains, and then rinsing, will keep everything from being contaminated with mold.