Growing fodder for chickens

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Sorry about all the extra posts, but went back and was reading thru wormrun's post. Wormrun, have you used the grapeseed oil recipe yet? I use this oil a lot so I have it on hand. I would rather use this or even just vinegar instead of bleach.

And Mrs. Fluffy Puff, great looking fodder!! Is that a tent of some kind? How does it work?

They are mini greenhouses I bought on sale for $20.00 each at TSC. They have four shelves per greenhouse, they are a bit flimsy but serve their purpose. I soak my seeds (I've found wheat works best) overnight (24hrs) then I bring them inside to the sink and rinse them off really well, and spread them out in my trays. Then I place them on the shelves on the back porch. I water them several times a day. Keep them moist, but not soggy. In 7-12 days I have beautiful fodder for the animals.




~ Aspen

 

[kukupecpec]

I am making my own small stacking tray system and am wondering just how fast or slow the water should drain. I can drill and trial and error as much as I need to get it right, the problem is I won't know when I've got it because I don't now how fast or slow I should be draining haha.

If it helps my trays are about 1.5 sq ft

 

[OHhappychicks]

Looks like a great set-up, Aspen! I would like to put mine on my porch, but I think it will be too hot right now, but this winter might be the perfect place. At least until it freezes. Hummmm! Will have to think that thru. Thanks for the ideas! Just keeping my options open for when I start the big production! Well, it won't be that big as I will only have about 25-30 to feed. Well on second thought, it might be bigger than I think!!

 

[OHhappychicks]

I am making my own small stacking tray system and am wondering just how fast or slow the water should drain. I can drill and trial and error as much as I need to get it right, the problem is I won't know when I've got it because I don't now how fast or slow I should be draining haha.

If it helps my trays are about 1.5 sq ft

Good Question kukupecpec!! I'm going out today and try to get my trays. We have an Amish supplier of Greenhouse supplies locally, but I can't remember where he lives! I'm going to try there first. Maybe the holes in the ones already made will be just right. But if they are to expensive, I may have to get dollar store dish pans or something and drill my own holes, and this info would be a great help!

 

[Arielle]

Anyone know of any organic seed, preferably non-gmo, here in sw ohio? Also I'm getting feed seed, not planting seed, correct? Planting seed has all the insecticides and chemicals to protect the seed, is this right? I'm going to go out today and find some wheat grain. Going to try to get started today.

I talked to my feed dealer and the woman said the farmers buy the feed seed for planting. IDK . . . seems like a lot of questions need asking before buying. SOrry, i'm not in OH, just commenting. What prompted that comment from her was that I couldn't get the seed to sprout. GUess it is my methods or lack there of. lol

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Looks like a great set-up, Aspen! I would like to put mine on my porch, but I think it will be too hot right now, but this winter might be the perfect place. At least until it freezes. Hummmm! Will have to think that thru. Thanks for the ideas! Just keeping my options open for when I start the big production! Well, it won't be that big as I will only have about 25-30 to feed. Well on second thought, it might be bigger than I think!!

This winter I had to bring my operation inside the house, as it was too cold outside and it took F O R E V E R for the fodder to grow..actually it never did. LOL I found that if I keep my fodder in the sun, it grows alot faster and looks greener as well, but that's just me.

Currently I have 15 adult geese (plus about 15+ goslings and more ducklings) 18 chickens, 60++ ducks, three peafowl, a bunch of guineas and some other birds. 1 1/2 - 2 trays of fodder will feed every bird on the place..and thats with leftovers! I'm thinking about totally ditching commercial feed and only feeding fodder. I've noticed a HUGE difference in my yolks since I started feeding it to everyone. Instead of being bright yellow, they are dark dark orange, and huge! YUM!

Now, my Peafowl and Guineas don't like the fodder as much as the waterfowl and poultry..but they will nibble on it. I'm also feeding the Fermented Feed to everyone, and everybody LOVES it...so I may switch over to fermenting just whole grains (whole oats, whole barely, etc). I am so sick and tired of the nasty, dry, dusty, expensive commercial feed that is full of corn syrup and all kind of junk, that my birds (and myself) don't even like.

Seriously though...huge tray of lush, green, superfood, wheatgrass - - - or a scoop of dry commercial feed full of chemicals and junk...?? It seems like a no brainer to me.

Okay.done.ranting! ; )

Anyone else thinking about switching over to just fodder, or doing all organic feed? I

~ Aspen

 

[Arielle]

I actually am trying to plan enough veg crops to feed more to the birds. Looking at how to turn wood lands into more growing are. For alfalfa and the like. I would like to try sprouting the oats one more time now that warmer weather is here; and I am still tring to get hte hang of FF.

Looking at heritage corns and squash. Beets-- for leaves and root.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

I actually am trying to plan enough veg crops to feed more to the birds. Looking at how to turn wood lands into more growing are. For alfalfa and the like. I would like to try sprouting the oats one more time now that warmer weather is here; and I am still tring to get hte hang of FF.

Looking at heritage corns and squash. Beets-- for leaves and root.

I've tried to sprout/grow fodder with the oats on several occasions, and I was only able to get them to sprout tiny tails before they started getting rotten. Wheat and barely on the other hand sprout and grow like crazy. I've heard of several other people not having good luck with the oats as well.

I also plan on planting a "bird garden"...a garden just for all my feathered dinosaurs. LOL

~ Aspen

 

[OHhappychicks]

I use local mash to feed my layers, but I also know that everyone around here sprays their crops, and probably use gmo seed, so not so sure it is any better than commercial feed.

But I may switch totally to the fodder, but my chicks are all free range, so I may not use fodder so much in the summer. May add a little layer mash to the mix in winter for variety. I'm looking forward to seeing if the fodder changes the taste of the eggs. Does anyone notice a diff? My yolks are very deep orange already, but I think some of that comes from the free range. I'm no expert by any means, just my opinion. I have a friend who has the feed mill mix hers to a specification, so I'm going to ask for her mix next time I buy feed. I want to add flax seed to mine also. I'm just going to experiment this summer and see what happens. Going to try to plant a "chicken garden" in the pen this summer. I sound really ambitious, but will see.

Sometimes my "want to" is a lot more energetic than I really am.

-Aspen- I have been trying to get organic feed for the last 5 years, and here in my area it is not readily available. I would have to have it shipped in, not in my budget! I would love to be all organic, we've even considered planting our own sunflower seeds, corn, ect., But it seems time just gets away from us. We do well to get our garden out!! lol I always thought when you got older, you would have more time to do things, but not the case yet. We haven't retired yet, and it looks like it will be a long time coming!! Well, we can keep dreaming!

 

[AnotherSusan]

I got oats as that was the only whole grain available at the time. It does sprout, but not well. Mine takes 11 days to get to 4 inches high.

I was afraid of a poor result as I had read on the list of others having trouble.

I will keep looking for wheat and barley and ferment the oats. They work great for that!