Growing fodder for chickens

[Indigosands]

I have seen them on amazon and Ebay. Ebay has the better price for bulk. They're 12.5" X 9" X 3". If you buy only 12 it's around $3 a container, I was planning on buying 36 and that makes them $1.64 a container.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/23101961501...eName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

I was also thinking that they looked similar to the sprouting trays sold in kits or by seedman.

 

[JesNflock]

I have seen them on amazon and Ebay. Ebay has the better price for bulk. They're 12.5" X 9" X 3". If you buy only 12 it's around $3 a container, I was planning on buying 36 and that makes them $1.64 a container.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/23101961501...eName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

I was also thinking that they looked similar to the sprouting trays sold in kits or by seedman.

I have seen them on amazon and Ebay. Ebay has the better price for bulk. They're 12.5" X 9" X 3". If you buy only 12 it's around $3 a container, I was planning on buying 36 and that makes them $1.64 a container.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/23

Hmmm...seems like they should be cheaper than $3...seems pricey to me. I wonder if the dollar store(or somewhere) would have something similar for cheaper....

Probably be worth looking into. I wouldn't need as many as you but it would probably end up costing almost the same thing as all of yours lol


Edited to add http://www.sears.com/bulk-buys-plastic-mesh-basket-case-pack/p-SPM1702623714P These are cheaper for fewer quantity but for as many as you are needing it might not be

 

[Indigosands]

If you can find it for less at the dollar store I would for sure do that. I know people have found similar containers at theirs, but I looked at mine and they didn't have anything. I'm willing to spend a little more per container if they're sturdy and will last for several years. I tried a couple different things at first and they didn't hold up to the constant flexing and washing.

ETA: checked the link, if you could get ship to store (I can't) it would be a better deal for the lower quantity. But when I check the shipping it tacks on $10 so not a deal for me.

 

[JesNflock]

If you can find it for less at the dollar store I would for sure do that. I know people have found similar containers at theirs, but I looked at mine and they didn't have anything. I'm willing to spend a little more per container if they're sturdy and will last for several years. I tried a couple different things at first and they didn't hold up to the constant flexing and washing.

ETA: checked the link, if you could get ship to store (I can't) it would be a better deal for the lower quantity. But when I check the shipping it tacks on $10 so not a deal for me.

I will look and see...who knows maybe I'll get lucky. I know sometimes when it's cheaper it doesn't hold up to what you need(been there done that before lol) Since I'm new to this I'll try to spend a small amount until I can see how it works for me..then I can do larger scale. It is a great idea with the baskets so Thanks for posting about it!

 

[Indigosands]

There ya go. Yes, I figure even if these don't work out for fodder they're great size and shape containers for just about anything else. Who doesn't love having extra containers around!

I spent quite a bit trying things at first too, what worked for my friend that taught me didn't work as well for my home.

 

[lazy gardener]

Depending on the size of your flock, mason jars might do the trick. they're perfect for my little flock, also for my personal sprouting. You can buy sprouting lids for large mouth jars, or improvise with cheese cloth, screening, or plastic needle point "canvas" under the screw ring. Mason jars also come in larger sizes.

 

[WHmarans]

I use mason jars for the soak. They're easy to put in the dish washer after.

I also regularly put wheat in a crock pot with water and cook it several hours then add storage milk powder and make them "wheatmeal" they love it. I guess that's not about fodder though. Maybe not super inexpensive either but if you have old stuff to get rid of it works.

 

[JesNflock]

Depending on the size of your flock, mason jars might do the trick. they're perfect for my little flock, also for my personal sprouting. You can buy sprouting lids for large mouth jars, or improvise with cheese cloth, screening, or plastic needle point "canvas" under the screw ring. Mason jars also come in larger sizes.

I have used the mason jars in the past for alfalfa and mung bean sprouts (for myself...before I had chickens) I used pantyhose for the "screening" (New ones mind you lol) It worked well as long as it got rinsed well and they weren't left to sit in too much water.

P.S. Speaking of alfalfa and mung bean sprouts they aren't a problem for chickens that anyone knows of are they? I would like to give it a try and see if my flock likes them...

 

[farmgirl02]

Sounds like a great idea! Your fodder looks totally awesome! I grow fodder too, but I really started growing it by accident. I used to have a chicken tractor, so whenever I moved the chicken coop in the morning, the chickens would leave little mounds of feed everywhere. It was so aggravating! I guess I figured out that I was over feeding them. A few weeks later, I noticed that there was a miniature field of really, really, dark green grass growing in my back yard. My chickens loved it to death. BUT whatever you do, don't stick a handful of it in there. Chop it up in little pieces and then give it to them, because my favorite hen has crop disorder today from eating too many long grasses. Again, your fodder looks so awesome.
Keep it up!

 

[WHmarans]

How did you find out she got a crop disorder from eating too many long grasses