Growing fodder for chickens

[Aphrael]

I do somewhere in between the two. I get a slight root mat, but not real tightly twined, and about an inch or so of green grass in patches. I've also tried both sprouts and full on fodder, and mine seem to greatly prefer this in-between stage. I feed it out I think at about 5 days. I was able to feed it out at 4, but with the colder weather my growing area is cooler and sprouting is slowed down somewhat.

 

[CATRYNA]

Another vote for sprouting instead of fodder is that it is so much easier - no trays, watering systems, draining, molds. The chickens eat the whole thing. It takes just four days from soak to sprout, rinsing the seeds twice a day.

True enough!

 

[konachicks]

Another vote for sprouting instead of fodder is that it is so much easier - no trays, watering systems, draining, molds. The chickens eat the whole thing. It takes just four days from soak to sprout, rinsing the seeds twice a day.

So just when the green starts sticking out or only the white roots?

 

[lazy gardener]

I like to grow mine until it's well sprouted. Then I set it in the window to green up before feeding it. But, I don't grow it to what folks would call the "fodder" stage.

 

[zarafa121]

I grow mine to just sprouting, four days. When the sprouts are coming through the sack, I feed them. Any more than that, I have found, the sprouts and roots start getting matted . . . well, four days works for me. I am learning that what works for one may not fit for another, so I am taking what I learn and fit it to what my chickens like. That goes for fermented feed as well. After reading the article on treats, I gave them warm oatmeal Thanksgiving morning, and they love it.

 

[Aphrael]

I grow mine to just sprouting, four days. When the sprouts are coming through the sack, I feed them. Any more than that, I have found, the sprouts and roots start getting matted . . . well, four days works for me. I am learning that what works for one may not fit for another, so I am taking what I learn and fit it to what my chickens like. That goes for fermented feed as well. After reading the article on treats, I gave them warm oatmeal Thanksgiving morning, and they love it.

I think that is the very best way to do things. That is what I do as well. I am always trying to learn as much as I can, and then take what I learn and tailor it to fit with my setting and my birds.

 

[elawhead]

I just love your chic picture adorable...I have the same problem with the mold! hope we find a solution for it!

 

[momofthehouse]

Mold solution ... Less amount of seeds 1/2" thick, soak in acv and water for 24 hours, rinse daily one time by spraying acv on your seeds then rinse with water. Need good ventilation too = no mold www.aislingfarms.blogspot.com

 

[momofthehouse]

Chickens don't need "fodder" it will impact their crop please kist sprout the seeds and feed to them. No mold issues doing this way either. All nutrients are in the seeds not the blades of grass.

 

[elawhead]

thank you!!!!