Growing fodder for chickens

[AnotherKim]

I start with between 3/4 and 1 cup of dry wheat, kamut or barley. They swell when soaked and seem to form a perfect layer to sprout in my shoe box size containers. I use a full to rounded cup of black oil sunflower seeds when I use them and make sure to rinse them a couple of times during their soak.
My flock is loving their fresh sprouts and greens in this cold weather!

So, are you feeding only fodder, or do you do both layer feed and fodder? I'm curious about substituting fodder for feed. My chickens do not free range. My dogs think the chickens are squeaky toys. I've only been feeding layer feed. Should I only add fodder for greens, or can I give fodder only?

 

[NotAFarm]

Quote:
No, I do not feed fodder as the only ration. My flock free ranges but in Northern Illinois in winter there isn't any where for them to go to get anything to eat so I give them sprouts/fodder. They get free choice crumbles inside the coop year-around but eat very little of it spring through fall when they prefer to be outside on our 4 acres finding their own food. My flock of 20 are all Icelandics, except 3 hens, and they are great foragers. I don't sprout grains/seeds once the ground thaws but do still ferment some grains for them.

 

[AnotherKim]

Thanks. Good to know. So fodder is just for the extra greens, then. I live in the desert, so even if I didn't have to worry about the dogs, there isn't much green around here. I planted a small garden this year, more for the chickens and guinea pigs than the humans, lol. I thought I might add some fodder mid-summer when the garden is wilting from the heat. My chickens are living off of layer feed and veggie scraps right now.

 

[Mahlzeit]

I have been reading through as much of this post as I could over the last little while. I have been giving this a go but as soon as the greens start sprouting I am having a real issue with mold. I soak the wheat seeds in bleach water, wash them off really well, I have tried different containers for the seed but the white fluffy mold always appears at the same stage. I am super frustrated and any advice would be great.

 

[RoseMarie1]

I just found green split peas for sale at this little store I go to for 4/1.00. Yep I bought a few. lol Now to get those soaking.

 

[lazy gardener]

Split peas won't sprout. It has to be whole seeds. But, they make nice soup, if you add some ham!

 

[RoseMarie1]

Split peas won't sprout. It has to be whole seeds. But, they make nice soup, if you add some ham!

arg I was thinking those last ones I bought WAS split ones. Oh dear then maybe it might be time I try your soup! LOL

 

[lazy gardener]

Rose Marie, are you thinking of lentils? Same shape, different plant! Lentils are what I think you sprouted before. Split peas: good price! Enjoy your soup!

 

[howell farm]

Do you need to feed grit to chicks if you are feeding fodder? When do you start feedind to chicks?

 

[callen0912]

Do you need to feed grit to chicks if you are feeding fodder? When do you start feedind to chicks?

Curious to know this too. I want to start fooder for my girls but their only about 2 weeks old.