Growing fodder for chickens

[Kjordanov]

Our mold issues have resolved for now I believe.  I soak the seeds in a mild bleach solution, spray down just sprouted seeds with weak bleach solution until it gets upright stems, our watering is on shower on the hose nozzle and occurs every 8 hours for 2 minutes.  No more mold for a few weeks and stiffer blades of fodder

Great idea using those trays!! Got some going to try right now

 

[mrsc1951]

I'll try reducing the soak time and see if that helps.

The last batch I started - I got that nasty stomach bug - and left the wheat soaking for closer to 40 hours. I have had zero problems with it. I do rinse 2x daily with fresh water for several minutes.

 

[sonew123]

Ugh...I hate throwing the bad fodder out ...the root system is almost slimy?

 

[CrosStitching]

Has anyone sprouted lentils for forage? Any other kind of bean? I know kidney beans have high levels of some-thing-or-other that make them not good, but any other types? Also, where do you source your BOSS?

 

[Sunflowergirl]

I have sprouted both red lentils and brown lentils. My girls worked better with eating them when I did not let them go too long. Or, when I chopped them up for them.
I get my BOSS from my local TSC. (Probably not the greatest price.)

Has anyone sprouted lentils for forage? Any other kind of bean? I know kidney beans have high levels of some-thing-or-other that make them not good, but any other types? Also, where do you source your BOSS?

 

[highline]

Ugh...I hate throwing the bad fodder out ...the root system is almost slimy?

Not telling u what to do, but personally I'd bleach rinse and feed it. The slime might just be starch. I find that chickens seem to avoid eating anything that would bother them.

 

[CrosStitching]

at what age can I begin feeding fodder to chicks? I'll be getting mine next week and they'll be about 4wks old. All gold and black sex links if that makes a difference.

 

[Eva2012]

Sorry for my ignorance, what is BOSS?

 

[CrosStitching]

Black oil sunflower seeds

 

[Eva2012]

Ugh...I hate throwing the bad fodder out ...the root system is almost slimy?

Compost, compost!!!! The golden treasure in the garden!!!