Growing fodder for chickens

[blackstone]

I'm around 2 months into this experiment with mixed results
I am using untreated wheat from a local feed store.

Not really any problems with growing fodder. Usually 7 days to grass 3"-4" tall.

I have been trying to feed it to chickens, ducks and rabbits.

The chickens will pick at it.
The ducks don't want anything to do with it.
In the beginning, I tried giving only fodder and whatever they could forage and withheld almost all feed.
They leave the grass and eat the sprouted seeds
I am now still giving fodder but feed and forage.
Kind of defeats the purpose of messing around with fodder.

One of the rabbits seems to like it and the other doesn't care for it at all.
They are fairly young so they only get a small amount daily while getting full ration of rabbit food.

One thing I have been considering is to feed the chickens with one less day's growth so the grass isn't so high.

Wondering if I should try a different grain.

If anyone has thoughts or input on this, I'd appreciate it.

It has saved feed costs because I haven't been giving the chickens and ducks much.


Thanks

 

[CATRYNA]

I'm around 2 months into this experiment with mixed results
I am using untreated wheat from a local feed store.

Not really any problems with growing fodder. Usually 7 days to grass 3"-4" tall.

I have been trying to feed it to chickens, ducks and rabbits.

The chickens will pick at it.
The ducks don't want anything to do with it.
In the beginning, I tried giving only fodder and whatever they could forage and withheld almost all feed.
They leave the grass and eat the sprouted seeds
I am now still giving fodder but feed and forage.
Kind of defeats the purpose of messing around with fodder.

One of the rabbits seems to like it and the other doesn't care for it at all.
They are fairly young so they only get a small amount daily while getting full ration of rabbit food.

One thing I have been considering is to feed the chickens with one less day's growth so the grass isn't so high.

Wondering if I should try a different grain.

If anyone has thoughts or input on this, I'd appreciate it.

It has saved feed costs because I haven't been giving the chickens and ducks much.


Thanks

You could try Barley, also try feeding the fodder when it's around1 or 2 inches high. Our chickens, prefer it shorter. Our ducks don't care for it, even when they were ducklings. Our turkeys and Guineas devour it., no matter what length it is.

 

[blackstone]

Thanks for your input, CATRYNA.
I'll check to see if the feed store has barley and give it a try.

You seem to verify my idea of shorter grass.
Would rye be any different if barley isn't available?

 

[Papas Chickens]

I'm around 2 months into this experiment with mixed results
I am using untreated wheat from a local feed store.

Not really any problems with growing fodder.  Usually 7 days to grass 3"-4" tall.

I have been trying to feed it to chickens, ducks and rabbits.

The chickens will pick at it.
The ducks don't want anything to do with it.
In the beginning, I tried giving only fodder and whatever they could forage and withheld almost all feed.
They leave the grass and eat the sprouted seeds
I am now still giving fodder but feed and forage.
Kind of defeats the purpose of messing around with fodder.

One of the rabbits seems to like it and the other doesn't care for it at all.
They are fairly young so they only get a small amount daily while getting full ration of rabbit food.

One thing I have been considering is to feed the chickens with one less day's growth so the grass isn't so high.

Wondering if I should try a different grain.

If anyone has thoughts or input on this, I'd appreciate it.

It has saved feed costs because I haven't been giving the chickens and ducks much.


Thanks

I grow barley and my chickens and guineas destroy it right when it hits the ground. I grow mine to about 4-5 inches tall, I also give some to the goat, rabbit, tortosis, bearded dragons and our birds they all enjoy it. I never tried rye seed not sure if it will grow that way, I say give it a trial run see what happens and let us know your resolts.

 

[blackstone]

Thanks Papas Chickens.
I'll call over to the feed store and see if they have it.

 

[Kassaundra]

You are making sense, it what you are referring to is a semi-aquaponics set up. But, in growing fodder this would not be a good idea as you would contaminate your grains from your "fish water", which would contain fish urine and feces. This is fine in an aquaponics set up, but not in fodder growing. The water you use must be fresh and clean or you will end up with a mess.

I really don't understand the reasoning behind this?

 

[CATRYNA]

Thanks for your input, CATRYNA.
I'll check to see if the feed store has barley and give it a try.

You seem to verify my idea of shorter grass.
Would rye be any different if barley isn't available?

Yes, you can try Rye, but it does not grow as well like Wheat and Barley. I sometimes add it to my Barley or Wheat along with Chia and Flax Seed about the 3rd or 4th day. Many seed and grains will ferment, which you chickens will love, so don't ever think that most things that seem to be a failure are, because they usually won't be.

 

[CATRYNA]

I really don't understand the reasoning behind this?

What is it you don't understand?

 

[Papas Chickens]

I really don't understand the reasoning behind this?

Dirty warm water from a fish tank = moldy, smelly, slimy and bad growth in fodder. Clean cool water is the way to go.

 

[CATRYNA]

Dirty warm water from a fish tank = moldy, smelly, slimy and bad growth in fodder. Clean cool water is the way to go.

Right. Cleanliness is the key factor when growing fodder. Ooops, maybe you were not corresponding with me.