Growing fodder for chickens

[beverly evans]

I found the same grow tent for several dollars less at GrowAce.com. Looks like the same tent. I am new to this blog, but am really interested in cutting the feed bill for my hens. I give away most of the eggs that I don't use to a food pantry, so any way to save money would be great.

Never think that fodder will replace dry feed or come close and thereby cut down on your feed bill. It has been scientifically proven to be much less nutritious and is best considered as a supplement to their diet, especially as a replacement for lack of greens in the winter. Google search to find the study. Someone on here found it and shared it some time ago. lol : )

 

[chixmix]

Never think that fodder will replace dry feed or come close and thereby cut down on your feed bill. It has been scientifically proven to be much less nutritious and is best considered as a supplement to their diet, especially as a replacement for lack of greens in the winter. Google search to find the study. Someone on here found it and shared it some time ago. lol : )

Tell that to the people who are doing it.

 

[ArkaFarmaMama]

I just wanted to send a huge THANK YOU to everyone posting and to the OP!

BRAVO!

I've been researching fodder for a couple of years, we are FINALLY getting our system up and running in the next week or so...
I've read every page, researched every link, loved loved all of the photos, tales of trial and tribulation, I'm so very thankful for all the information everyone took the time to post.

We are starting out with a 12 tray system built with PVC and are growing feed wheat. I have around 40 chickens and orders for a bunch of chicks and birds from family and friends, there will be many birds up on this here hill...

My goal is to grow enough fodder for around 60 birds and enough for my horses as a supplement to their hay and eliminate their feed/ration balancer.
Eventually we're getting some mini cows too...

I'm going to do a comprehensive feed plan by feeding fodder, dehydrated red worms along with free ranging, and tons of organic produce from our gardens.
From all of my research I figure that fodder isn't enough on it's own, the birds MUST have an animal protein source for essential acids, hence my red worm farming experiment... I'm doing an 8X16 cinder block worm bed that *should* produce enough worms for the birds. Then with enough worm castings and chicken waste I can feed the gardens ORGANICALLY. Good cycle!

When we get up and running I'll weigh some of my supposedly finished birds and then a month later to see if fodder plus a bit of feed ups their weight. Right now they aren't finishing out respectably, I've been pretty disappointed with the scrawny roos in the eat pen...


I am SICK and TIRED of GMO's, pesticides, and crappy feed... Every year I've gotten poorer and poorer results with the phony corn and worthless grains being grown on now worthless nutrient devoid land. I've actually seen my birds shun the corn in scratch because I KNOW they can probably taste the chemicals. I can taste pesticides myself when I eat out or have to buy store bought produce. At least I can eliminate their GMO corn!

So here's to you all! CHEERS and THANK YOU and may all your birds PROSPER!

 

[cockoftherock]

SsS

Tell that to the people who are doing it.

Shut up chikmix thats MY line bawha ha ha Thx Ya gotta love it. People who dont understand will never DO it. It can be done tho but to each their own Keep up the good work too. Chemistry is a science and some pass and some dont its that simple really

 

[MaPa26]

We have all acquired a taste for salt. In the states they have started the ' salt revolution '. It is said to be doing far more damage than sugar. Yet it is added to everything we eat. The calcium level should be between 2.5 - 4% . Too much calcium can be as detrimental as too little ! IMHO the calcium levels in chia are a little too high for chooks.

Going by the chart that someone had posted, showing nutritional value of chia, it is clear that it does not take much, to match what a layer feed would provide. If I were one of those people who think fodder can be used as the main part of the diet, I would add a bit of chia.

 

[MaPa26]

Fermentation your creating drunk chickenoholics baha ha thats a jk ppl ha. Dont say soy or gmo here your likely to rile some feathers sir ha
Quote: And something tells me that you may have been enjoying a bit of fermented brew, by your post. "mixed in with soybean or wheatberry snacks" refers to HUMAN food (roasted soybeans and wheatberries are readily available, salted and in different flavors---I say again---for human consumption.) So I was saying that if I had some, mixed with chocolate chips, I would be picking out the chocolate chips. Is saying "soybean" the SAME as saying "GMO"? I guess it is, to some people. Until we get some laws that require GMO grains to be labeled as such, we do not know for sure. I haven't eaten them in years, anyway. Regarding fermenting feed---one can tell by its aroma if it is creating alcohol. I've not fermented grains. I'm using layer pellets. I have only soaked grains (scratch). The fermented layer feed kinda smells like the starter I used for making Friendship Bread.

 

[MaPa26]

Im hen pecking on a smart phone I know how to spill ha really I do. I just have big finders lol

Well, perhaps THAT explains it. I was thinking that you were imbibing a little too much joy juice. NO one makes that many grammar, punctuation and spelling mistakes. Your posts were getting very difficult to decipher.

 

[Fancychooklady]

Going by the chart that someone had posted, showing nutritional value of chia, it is clear that it does not take much, to match what a layer feed would provide.  If I were one of those people who think fodder can be used as the main part of the diet, I would add a bit of chia.

The problem is administering it at safe levels. Each to their own, I'd prefer to have calcium on ' free take '. If it is added to the ration , then the bird has no choice, they get it whether they need it or not.

 

[MaPa26]

70° is best dont get to warm or sprouts tend to get spindly or thin. Has anyone tried growing weighted sprouts to make them beefier? If so howd it work and by what method?

Are you the person who suggested the youtube video for growing fodder? The lady was putting weight on her seeds. I have not tried it, but it makes sense.

 

[cockoftherock]

Yes there is a learning curve but some things to keep in mind in my humble opinion and someone I think chilkoot lady said if it works for you keep doing it. So with that in mind 1. Temp. should be 70-75 and constant. 2. You dont want to have your seeds too thick as this builds up heat and encourages the beasties 3 Rinse at least 3 times if not 4 to avoid mold ect. 4 after ur soak do not allow ur seed to sit in water good drainage.is a must 5 If you dont want to use bleach then Steam clean trays equip ect. sanitation satitation sanitation. 6 Fresh seef best germanation 7 Indirect light provides more nutrition. 8 Its my opinion. that A a variety of seeds are essential for health and just like feeds starter grower egg it varies. B 4 days for.most seeds.is optimal pumpkin boss being exceptions I differ here and you can mix differentLastly if you free range you will have happy healthy birds Oh dont feed oyster shell but calcium carbonate with grit as the oyster shell blocks absorbtion of protein and is only 5-10%efficient where CC is 100. % my phone screw up and Im sure Im forgetting some details but its a start no less. utilized so you dont want to over do it stages of seed to get.the best of both quanity and nutrition qu ote name="Putney Farm" url="/t/713334/growing-fodder-for-chickens/3480#post_12865175"]We have started growing fodder as well.  We have shelves set up over our spare bath tub for convenience.  The chickens love it, but so far it is more labor intensive than I want, as I am having trouble keeping the 4 day and up sprouts free of mold/bacteria, and don't want to use bleach.  We started using GSE in the water today and are hopeful for good results.
We rinse every 8 hours with well water.  Any suggestions?
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