Growing fodder for chickens

[jramirez]

I don't know what I am doing wrong. I am starting to have trouble with mold. Maybe because the weather is getting warmer? Anyhow I don't know what to do. I add a splash of bleach when I soak my seeds and then rinse after 24 hours. Do I need to add bleach every time I water? Right now I am sprouting wheat and just started adding a bit of sunflower. I tried oats but it wouldn't grow. Suggestions? I keep my trays in the laundry room, I have a small window across the room that remains open. Like I said this just started happening and I can only assume it's the weather. Unless sunflower are more prone?

 

[Shoshana]

Very Interesting. This looks like a pretty good system for someone with only a few chickens.

We relocated to Virginia from Alabama and I had to sell my old flock, so we're starting over with 10 BO pullets and a rooster (well, and 25 broilers, but they'll only be around 8 weeks), and I'm feeling good that the setup is indeed a good size... mealworms are growing well too! I'm just wondering how young I can start the chicks on sprouts, but I figure if chicks in the wild eat greens from the get go, a couple of weeks old shouldn't be too young to start mine. I'm hoping the cornish x's will be healthier with the sprouts, as well. One more week and the chickees will be here! Can't wait!

 

[NotAFarm]

Quote: Make sure they have access to some grit. Starter is usually crumbles and grit isn't really necessary but they need it with the greens.

 

[jramirez]

Does anybody know the types of beans that can be used for fodder? Thanks

How did this work for you? Are you feeding as sprouts or are you able to grow longer grass? Have you had issues with mold?

Hi all, Just to add more to an already huge thread, here is the sprouter I just got and am using now to make my hen fodder: You can order this from Jung's Seed Catalog here for $16.00: (http://www.jungseed.com/dp.asp?pID=54115) (three trays) Or you can get it at Amazon here: (http://www.amazon.com/Victorio-VKP1014-4-Tray-Kitchen-Sprouter/dp/B005FVPP04/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1358016229&sr=8-4&keywords=victorio

). I got mine from Amazon, because for some reason the one at Jung's only has 3 trays, the Amazon one has 4, and it is $1.00 more. I just started mine with buckwheat in the bottom, and alfalfa in the next two (that's all I had for seed.) The fourth tray I set aside to start in a week or so, that way it has continuous production. It's pretty neat - you just have to rinse the seed, (no soaking needed according to directions), and put a layer of it in the tray, stack if you are doing more than one, and add water to the top tray, twice a day. It automatically drips through them all and the water collects in the bottom and you dump that water when you add more. When the seeds are not yet sprouted, more water stays behind in the trays which is why they say you do not need to soak the seeds first cuz they are kept uniformly damp. Well I have just started my first batch in this contraption, but so far I like it way better than my previous homemade colander/tupperware arrangement! I will report back on here when the sprouts are ready and let you all know how well it worked...or not.

 

[farmboy22]

I am feeding beans to my chickens that my family does not eat

 

[rhoffart]

Well I'm jumping into this thread ... went to Whole Foods today and got 5 lbs. of Red Wheat Berries for $1.19 per lb.

Question ... Can you feed wheat fodder to 3 week old chicks?

 

[Lacy Blues]

If you chop it kind of small and give them chick grit, they should be fine with it.

 

[Sunflowergirl]

Well I'm jumping into this thread ... went to Whole Foods today and got 5 lbs. of Red Wheat Berries for $1.19 per lb.

Question ... Can you feed wheat fodder to 3 week old chicks?

Just make sure you are giving them the baby grit. My babies loved carrot top greens when they were younger than that. I would hold on to the stem of the greens and they would go after it, ripping off little bites. I had already started giving them grit... I wonder if you will need to start them off with snipped wheat grass at first? Or, maybe hold on tight to the root and seed mat while they learn to tear off little bites of the greens?

 

[kaisabaijai]

Do you have access to dandelions? They are prolific weeds here. Extremely nutritious and high in vitamin A. I dig them out of the lawn daily and give them to my chickens in the breeder pens. They love them!!!

I have never seen dandelions here. Does anyone know if they would grow in Northern Thailand?

 

[Lacy Blues]

I was just looking at your pictures. Are your chickens walking through salt grass? Your other picture with the ponds in it, looks pretty lush. I imagine that dandelions would have a field day out there.