Growing fodder for chickens

[NotAFarm]

I just did a Google search and found nothing to say sorghum seeds shouldn't be fed. I did find that sorghum grown in other parts of the world contain tannins that can interfer with digestion and nutrient absorption. I know that the Purina Scratch that I use has sorghum in it.
This is more complicated than I thought it was going to be.......

 

[TennesseeChicken]

It's been my experience that oats do take longer to sprout. I've never had oats get moldy, but I've had several batches of wheat get moldy when the weather turns warmer. That's when I usually stop the sprouting and let my free rangers start eating the grass that's coming up on the Farm.

 

[sonew123]

Just thought I would post this from Walmart.  Can only get it online and shipping is free if order is over $45.00.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Augason-Farms-Hard-White-Wheat-26-lb/22001478


It made a big difference to make my seed layer thinner.  They are already looking better.  

NotAFarm - I have not seen or smelled any mold and believe me I have allergies to mold so I little can get me going.  I did find some information today while looking for seeds. It said germination for BOSS is 3 days and oats and wheat were 5 to 7 days.  I am sure that is if planted in soil.  

So white wheat is ok?? I will totally order 4 buckets if its good..of course i looked to see about barley and rye and they didnt have any unless Im not looking right? Anyhoo...i am separating out some seeds to thin them out and see how they do!!! I think i have 3/6 trays with way too much in them because today is day 7 and most are sprouting and thats about it...no mold either so that Im happy for!!

 

[spiritrancho]

I have to agree with Chris. I grow wheat grass to juice for us. I use misters on a timer and layer my seed about two seeds deep and get a root mat of 1 1/2 to 2". I sprout barley grass for my rabbits and use a flood and drain system with seeds spread about one inch deep. I flood the barlely 5 min every three hours in a 50-60 deg.F greenhouse with no mold problem. When it gets warmer in there I shall probably go with wheatgrass. The barley root mat is about 2 1/2 inches thick when finished. The difference is that the wheatgrass is growing on flat bottom trays tilted toward holes in the end. The barely is grown on greenhouse flats with 1/2 inch ridges and needs to be sown past the ridgesto attain a solid mat.
I have started wheat grass for the chickens in the house on top of my automated wheatgrass for juicing. I simply use the same solinoid and timer and added more misters in the new flat. I am using 2"X10" silverware trays to contan the fodder seeds; the flat will hold seven trays. That is not much grass for 18 chickens, but when I tried to give them the rootmat after juicing grass they ignored it. Ended up taking it out to the pig. They goats however will eat the root mat after the meat rabbits eat the grass, if any is left.
I ferment wheat, barley, oats, sunflower seed, and peas for the chicks now. My egg production fell way off when I stopped giving egg maker so am giving that dry. still not many eggs so am hoping some greens will help. I supplement with kitchen scraps and cottage cheese from surplus goat milk. Still i et only about one egg per week per hen.

 

[Chicks Galore3]

So what's the difference between sprouts and fodder?

 

[groverlvchx]

So what's the difference between sprouts and fodder?

They're the same for about 4 days. If you just want to feed sprouts, after 4-5 days they're done. If you want fodder, give your sprouts the same treatment (keep moist) for 2-4 additional days and you'll have blades of grass. Toward the end they grow about an inch a day. You can almost watch them grow! There is a difference in the nutritional value between sprouts and fodder. I don't know the details, but you can find them on BYC if you search. I choose to feed fodder in the winter because in MN there are NO greens growing and buying them is too expensive for me. They love the green grass every morning and it does my soul good to watch it grow when everything is dead and frozen outside.

 

[Chicks Galore3]

Quote: Thank you! I can't wait for it to sprout!!! (It is only day 2 out of the bucket.)

 

[corancher]

So white wheat is ok?? I will totally order 4 buckets if its good..of course i looked to see about barley and rye and they didnt have any

unless Im not looking right? Anyhoo...i am separating out some seeds to thin them out and see how they do!!! I think i have 3/6 trays with way too much in them because today is day 7 and most are sprouting and thats about it...no mold either so that Im happy for!!

Somewhere in all these pages there was mention that white wheat was fine. There were some who said they ordered from Walmart and it worked fine. My research indicated that red wheat has a stronger taste so the white wheat is used more for grinding into flour. I don't think it would matter for the birds. I ordered 3 buckets. I figured if it doesn't grow then I will feed it dry. Still not a bad price if you order enough for free shipping. I checked Sams Club and they have red wheat in 50 lb bags but you must order online and have shipped. Shipping makes it not such a good deal per pound. If I could pick it up then that would have been great.

As far as your too much in the trays, I think that was my problem. Mine looks much better today after I thinned the layers by putting about half of the seeds into new trays. I have green stuff starting now.

I am now running out of room in my incubator room and will quickly need to get something else ready to put my trays on. Like I need another project.

 

[sonew123]

Yah Ill wait another 2-3 days on this mixture I have going and then no matter what...feed it to the birds!!! Its all sprouting just taking forever to grow;( wish I had a good sunny spot in my house but I dont only for a few hours at a time! I think imma gunna bite the bullet and order the wheat too!!! Thank you Anne for posting that!

 

[sonew123]

Today is day 7... Alot longer than I thought but at least its not molding!!! Again Ill give it another 2-3 days then feed to the birds no matter what ! I might hold onto a tray to see how long it really takes to finish out!