Growing fodder for chickens

[Cynthia12]

Giving it a try!

On top of our old canary's cage.

I had soaked a whole lot more wheat than I thought I was! So, put some inside the
case as well..turned the cage toward the window. Will see how it works out. I watched
the room temp all yesterday, and checked it this morning. It was in the 60's at night,
and got to 70 once, then this morning, in the 60's..good?

 

[pawtraitart]

For me, a good indication of the ideal moisture/temperature level is if I see dew on the "grass". 60 to 65 degrees F works well for me. 70 is okay as long as it dips below 70 at night.

 

[JesseK]

Walmart is completely sold out of the Augason Farms Wheat. Ha! I think this thread took it's toll.

 

[Cynthia12]

Ok, mine is still very wet. I have it facing the window, but it is very cloudy today. Plus, it is a window facing the north. Is it normal for it to stay real wet the first day? I just swished it around and it is still wet all the way through. I have several holes in the bottom. Maybe I shouldn't mist tonight if it is still quite damp? We are thinking on getting a light for this stuff. We have a lot of neighbors that have chickens, thinking they just might like having some.

 

[Cynthia12]

For me, a good indication of the ideal moisture/temperature level is if I see dew on the "grass". 60 to 65 degrees F works well for me. 70 is okay as long as it dips below 70 at night.

That's a pretty picture, hope I get that soon!

 

[pawtraitart]

Ok, mine is still very wet. I have it facing the window, but it is very cloudy today. Plus, it is a window facing the north. Is it normal for it to stay real wet the first day? I just swished it around and it is still wet all the way through. I have several holes in the bottom. Maybe I shouldn't mist tonight if it is still quite damp? We are thinking on getting a light for this stuff. We have a lot of neighbors that have chickens, thinking they just might like having some.

If it's moist, don't mist it. Rinsing is better than misting, anyway. Rinsing helps remove excess starch and potential mold. If you don't have time to rinse a couple times a day, soaking for 5 minutes with the water maybe 1/2 inch above the seed 1x a day works as well. That's what I do. They don't need light until they start to grow some green. In fact, I sometimes stack my trays one on top of the other during the first couple days to help keep moisture in if I know I'm going to be late giving them their soak. The weight of the tray on top of the seed doesn't bother it at all. Once they start to green up, they don't need constant moisture as quite a bit is held in the root system. Some extra light at that point might speed up the growth, though.

 

[pawtraitart]

That's a pretty picture, hope I get that soon!

Once it starts to green up...it speeds up! You'll have green grass soon.

 

[PuffyChick]

I started mine on paper towels because clover and alfalfa seeds are beyond tiny. I cant imagine rinsing them.
I am just keeping the paper towel moist ..no water over it so the seeds are just sitting on top.

So far they seem to be doing great. I can see little bity bits starting to break through.

 

[RainyPeeps]

This is a great picture. I can do plastic containers. I also have a small flock, but have some babies turning into teens, thinking they will like it too. I see you have the lid under the containers to catch the water. What did you soak the seed in? Do you just put all of the seeds in one container to soak? My first time. I have wheat.

Yes, I measured the wheat while it was dry and put it in a big soup to-go container I had with the water. I forgot to mention, I got my containers 2 for $1 at the dollar store. As you can see, I goofed and bought some that have a separation down the middle. Oh well, what a deal!

Cynthia, they look great! I definitely think you'll have enough for the neighbors. Sometimes my homemade holes don't drain very well either. Especially when the roots stop them up. I turn them all the way sideways and let the water drain. Once the roots grow and they intertwine the seeds shouldn't fall out when you do that.




Here's my operation on day 7.




Good to know about the dew. Mine has had it since yesterday. So I can only water once a day once it's sprouted, you think?

 

[pawtraitart]

Yes, you can decrease the watering once the green growth is up and the root mat is solid.The root mass should be moist but not overly so. Rinsing won't hurt and if you get mold you'll have to rinse or soak, but if there isn't any mold you are good to go. I usually rinse really well before feeding to my birds just in case. The trick is to make sure that your seed is really clean when you start the process.