Growing fodder for chickens

[JesNflock]

 

[quailtrail]

Gonna start ours this week!!!! Excited!!!!

 

[Mrsfoote]

Does anyone use a spray bottle to dampen their Fodder or is it not worth the time, just started soaking my BOSS tonight.

 

[Lacy Blues]

You need to do more than get it wet... that will cause it to mold. It needs to be rinsed really well so that all the starches and whatnot come out and get washed away.

 

[Groovynatureguy]

You need to do more than get it wet... that will cause it to mold. It needs to be rinsed really well so that all the starches and whatnot come out and get washed away.

+1

 

[Indigosands]

Hello everyone, I've been trying to do fodder for a couple weeks with no real success. I'm hoping you can help me trouble shoot.

I keep having 2 problems, one is that over night the top layer of the seeds dry out a little and the top seeds's roots darken a little. The other problem is that the seeds start fermenting about day 4. I'm doing barley.

I just poked holes in the end of my plastic trays and tipped them to see if that makes the difference, though there wasn't really any standing water in it before. I also wondered what day you all stop stirring up the grain when you rinse it. thanks!

 

[beverly evans]

Hello everyone, I've been trying to do fodder for a couple weeks with no real success. I'm hoping you can help me trouble shoot.

I keep having 2 problems, one is that over night the top layer of the seeds dry out a little and the top seeds's roots darken a little. The other problem is that the seeds start fermenting about day 4. I'm doing barley.

I just poked holes in the end of my plastic trays and tipped them to see if that makes the difference, though there wasn't really any standing water in it before. I also wondered what day you all stop stirring up the grain when you rinse it. thanks!

I want to hear this one too. here is what I plan to do. Please tell me if this is correct. I'm getting 2 five gal. buckets. One I'll make lots of small holes with my drill in the bottom it and sit it inside the 2nd one. Then I'll, put the grain in (how much?) and add water, let it soak a bit before draining. (how long?) Then at least twice a day rinse the grain really good with the hose to remove any bacteria that want to start the fermentation process. A wrung out wet towel on top would prevent the top layer from drying out but does the grain need sun or at least light to sprout? Or should buckets be used tor ff and flats used for sprouting like those great fotos on here?

 

[Lacy Blues]

Hello everyone, I've been trying to do fodder for a couple weeks with no real success. I'm hoping you can help me trouble shoot.

I keep having 2 problems, one is that over night the top layer of the seeds dry out a little and the top seeds's roots darken a little. The other problem is that the seeds start fermenting about day 4. I'm doing barley.

I just poked holes in the end of my plastic trays and tipped them to see if that makes the difference, though there wasn't really any standing water in it before. I also wondered what day you all stop stirring up the grain when you rinse it. thanks!

Problem number one... are you running your furnace? If so, I think what is happening is that its getting too dry. This and problem number two can be solved by rinsing more often. You need to rinse very well a minimum of twice per day, preferably more... particularly if you are running your furnace and your air is dry. If they're fermenting, they're sitting in too much water. They do need lots of moisture but also air so that they don't ferment. If there was no standing water, perhaps you have too many seeds in your tray. After your first day of soaking (or at least a few hours) and you add them to your sprouting tray, they should only be about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch deep.

I want to hear this one too. here is what I plan to do. Please tell me if this is correct. I'm getting 2 five gal. buckets. One I'll make lots of small holes with my drill in the bottom it and sit it inside the 2nd one. Then I'll, put the grain in (how much?) and add water, let it soak a bit before draining. (how long?) Then at least twice a day rinse the grain really good with the hose to remove any bacteria that want to start the fermentation process. A wrung out wet towel on top would prevent the top layer from drying out but does the grain need sun or at least light to sprout? Or should buckets be used tor ff and flats used for sprouting like those great fotos on here?

You need to spread your sprouting grains out, not leave them in the 5 gal bucket. If you leave them in there, it is very likely they will ferment as they don't have enough air circulation... yes, buckets for ff and flats for sprouting.

I have found a marvelous tool for my sprouting. I was at the Dollar Store one day and they had nylon mesh pencil bags. I now use these for sprouting. I rinse them twice a day, more if I remember, the water runs straight through and doesn't hold any. They're wonderful! I set them on a wire shelf so there is plenty of air circulation.

 

[keepmumsane]

If you live in the city and are having a hard time finding wheat, barley, or corn, try a home brew store. They will sell it in bulk and can answer questions about "malting" the grain. Back yard chickens and home brewing, these are two of my favorite hobbies.

my man suddenly realised I had whole barley for the horses, he suggested I might like to malt it for him ...I read up and suggested he might like to do thst. Seems like a long process?
I will definately try sprouting for the chicky babes though, reckon the guines pigs would love it too!

 

[beverly evans]

Problem number one... are you running your furnace? If so, I think what is happening is that its getting too dry. This and problem number two can be solved by rinsing more often. You need to rinse very well a minimum of twice per day, preferably more... particularly if you are running your furnace and your air is dry. If they're fermenting, they're sitting in too much water. They do need lots of moisture but also air so that they don't ferment. If there was no standing water, perhaps you have too many seeds in your tray. After your first day of soaking (or at least a few hours) and you add them to your sprouting tray, they should only be about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch deep.
You need to spread your sprouting grains out, not leave them in the 5 gal bucket. If you leave them in there, it is very likely they will ferment as they don't have enough air circulation... yes, buckets for ff and flats for sprouting.

I have found a marvelous tool for my sprouting. I was at the Dollar Store one day and they had nylon mesh pencil bags. I now use these for sprouting. I rinse them twice a day, more if I remember, the water runs straight through and doesn't hold any. They're wonderful! I set them on a wire shelf so there is plenty of air circulation.

A child's school pencil bag? How much grain can that hold, enough for one chicken? Or does it grow so much that it really is a lot?