Growing fodder for chickens

Here is a photo that I posted earlier in this thread. I can't remember if it is wheat or kamut that is growing in the containers.
I use clear plastic shoe box size containers. I have six with many holes drilled in the bottom. The bottoms are not level so most holes are in the lowest parts of the bottom so that drainage is easier. I have one that does not have holes. They sit above a green seedling tray (middle shelf) and the clear plastic dome top of the seedling tray (bottom shelf) to catch any drainage.
I soak seeds/grain (approx. 3/4 cup) in the glass dish (with a paper towel covering) that is one the top shelf. I soak for 6 - 8 hours, generally during the day so I can "swish them around" when I think about it. In the evening, I thoroughly rinse, drain and place the seeds/grains in the one container without holes. I place a second container on top of the seeds/grain and put a cotton dish towel inside the second container (bottom shelf, far left container). I find that the weight of the container and dish towel put "pressure" on the grain and the dish towel makes it "darker" which I think helps them germinate better. YMMV. The next evening, that container is rinsed thoroughly and poured into the container with holes that was providing the pressure. They are rinsed and a damp paper towel placed on top of them (bottom shelf, middle container). The next evening, that container is rinsed thoroughly and the paper towel removed (by now they are getting roots and some greening-bottom shelf, right container). Repeat same procedure until feeding. I don't move the containers to a different spot on the shelves, I just put the "newest" container in the empty spot left by the one taken to be fed. The "wheat/kamut grass" in the containers on the middle shelf, middle and far right are longer than I normally feed. When it gets that long, I take the scissors and cut it before giving to the chickens.
I only grow fodder when there isn't anything outside for forage for my flock. I'm in far north central Illinois so inside is my only choice in winter since I don't have a heated greenhouse. We have gas forced air heat so humidity is not a problem during my "growing season".
Tips:
Don't make the seed mat too thick....one or two seeds thick is perfect.
Air circulation is key to prevent mold and rot from too much moisture.
Rinsing the seed well before soaking will help get rid of debris/dirt that could harbor mold later.
Start small, get a system/routine going and then fine tune to fit your lifestyle and flock.


 
What I sprout most is lentils. I buy the one pound bag at the grocery store and pour half of it in this pencil bag. I soak it for about 4 hours and then rinse it out. I rinse twice/day and within like 3 days, I think, I have a bag full of lentil sprouts. My birds LOVE them. I mix them into their fermented feed that is ready to be served. I haven't tried growing them into a mat like the barley makes. If I was going to do that, I'd have to remove them from the bag and spread them into a tray. I may do that soon using the whole pound and see how much it makes.
 
Thank you, yes the heater has been coming on but I purposely sealed the vent near the fodder shelf in the kitchen. I checked my hygrometer this am, about 28% humidity in the kitchen and 74 degrees so it should be ok. I have been rinsing a ton, maybe even OVER rinsing because I've been so worried about this but I didn't previously have drain holes and my trays may be spread too thick. I soaked less seed today and plan to spread a bit thinner next time. So it's possible to put a dampened paper towel over to keep the top layer from drying without causing issues?
 
In my situation, it works. Inside my kitchen/dining area, thermostat set at 65 nights and 68 days with forced air. You can see my shelves are part of an inexpensive ($20) mini greenhouse set-up that has a "cover" that I do not close but provides some protection from the heat vent that is directly above the window that is to the left of the unit. I have more of a problem with drying than remaining too wet.
 
Here is a photo that I posted earlier in this thread. I can't remember if it is wheat or kamut that is growing in the containers.
I use clear plastic shoe box size containers. I have six with many holes drilled in the bottom. The bottoms are not level so most holes are in the lowest parts of the bottom so that drainage is easier. I have one that does not have holes. They sit above a green seedling tray (middle shelf) and the clear plastic dome top of the seedling tray (bottom shelf) to catch any drainage.
I soak seeds/grain (approx. 3/4 cup) in the glass dish (with a paper towel covering) that is one the top shelf. I soak for 6 - 8 hours, generally during the day so I can "swish them around" when I think about it. In the evening, I thoroughly rinse, drain and place the seeds/grains in the one container without holes. I place a second container on top of the seeds/grain and put a cotton dish towel inside the second container (bottom shelf, far left container). I find that the weight of the container and dish towel put "pressure" on the grain and the dish towel makes it "darker" which I think helps them germinate better. YMMV. The next evening, that container is rinsed thoroughly and poured into the container with holes that was providing the pressure. They are rinsed and a damp paper towel placed on top of them (bottom shelf, middle container). The next evening, that container is rinsed thoroughly and the paper towel removed (by now they are getting roots and some greening-bottom shelf, right container). Repeat same procedure until feeding. I don't move the containers to a different spot on the shelves, I just put the "newest" container in the empty spot left by the one taken to be fed. The "wheat/kamut grass" in the containers on the middle shelf, middle and far right are longer than I normally feed. When it gets that long, I take the scissors and cut it before giving to the chickens.
I only grow fodder when there isn't anything outside for forage for my flock. I'm in far north central Illinois so inside is my only choice in winter since I don't have a heated greenhouse. We have gas forced air heat so humidity is not a problem during my "growing season".
Tips:
Don't make the seed mat too thick....one or two seeds thick is perfect.
Air circulation is key to prevent mold and rot from too much moisture.
Rinsing the seed well before soaking will help get rid of debris/dirt that could harbor mold later.
Start small, get a system/routine going and then fine tune to fit your lifestyle and flock.



Very clever, well organized and contained all in one. Kudos! Think I'll copy it! :D
 
Thanks! The tray and dome allow me to take three containers at a time to the sink and use the spray hose to "water/rinse" them. I only rinse once a day. I empty the tray, replace the containers and slide it back onto the shelf. It does require some daily "maintenance" but without it, my flock would have to go months without anything green. I start when the first snow covers the ground and stop when "spring green" shows up. Your chickens will love you for it!.......okay, maybe they won't love you (Bee set us straight on that!
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) but they will love the sprouts and greens!
 
I'm wondering how long sprouting will continue into the winter in trays outdoors on the ground? I'm in south central Texas and have seen a few nights at 45 degrees. It only seems to slow them a little.
 
My rabbits LOVE the fodder! But they only eat the green parts...and my chickens will only eat the seeds and root part...so I give fodder to the rabbits and what they leave behind goes to the chickens! :) My turkeys, however, eat it ALL! :) So far, my muscovies have not taken to it, so we'll see! I have my setup in my bathroom in my garden tub because we have a separate stand up shower and don't really use the tub. I got those little food storage containers from the dollar store and my hubby loaned me his saudering (sp) gun to put the drain holes in! I can fit up to 30 trays in the area but I really need double that because I am growing for the pigs as well! They all sit on one of those plastic, stackable shelves and the shelves have holes so the water can drain away, and it goes right down the drain...no muss no fuss!! :) I am growing barley but I'm almost out and then I will start the 50# bag of wheat I have! :) I may move the set up outside eventually, but it seems to be working out ok for now. And I like being able to bring them green food when they can't forage (they are locked up right now because of fox issues! Grrrrr...
 
My rabbits LOVE the fodder! But they only eat the green parts...and my chickens will only eat the seeds and root part...so I give fodder to the rabbits and what they leave behind goes to the chickens! :) My turkeys, however, eat it ALL! :) So far, my muscovies have not taken to it, so we'll see! I have my setup in my bathroom in my garden tub because we have a separate stand up shower and don't really use the tub. I got those little food storage containers from the dollar store and my hubby loaned me his saudering (sp) gun to put the drain holes in! I can fit up to 30 trays in the area but I really need double that because I am growing for the pigs as well! They all sit on one of those plastic, stackable shelves and the shelves have holes so the water can drain away, and it goes right down the drain...no muss no fuss!! :) I am growing barley but I'm almost out and then I will start the 50# bag of wheat I have! :) I may move the set up outside eventually, but it seems to be working out ok for now. And I like being able to bring them green food when they can't forage (they are locked up right now because of fox issues! Grrrrr...

I have a second bath I'm not using to bathe in. A perfect place for all that rinsing! Now to add one of those hoses to the spiget. (The PC says its misspelled, who cares!.) Thanks for the idea. :)
 

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