Growing fodder for chickens

[pawtraitart]

Here are pics of my fodder in a short tote. I started with about 1/2-1" of seed base of mainly barley with some boss through out. It's been about a week now since I started. As you can see the original seed base depth has tripled or quadrupled in size. It grows in my garage where it's pretty chilly and we haven't started having sun since a few days ago, so if it were in a warmer environment with more sun, I'm sure it would have taken off. I water it twice a day making sure it's not to wet between rinses. Have a look.

Looks ready to go! I like the clear tote.

 

[kreagerm]

I agree it's time. So I placed the entire brick in the run just to see what would happen before i broke it up for them and they sure did give the stair down for a while. But after breaking it up they started grabbing sprouts and chasing each other around as it hung out of their beaks.

 

[kreagerm]

I didn't realize how dense the brick was until I tried breaking it apart, and it just smelled so fresh, next time I'm gonna just eat a couple sprouts. I also like the clear tote but next time I'm not going to put as many seeds in the tote so more seeds can get the little sun light my garage offers them.

 

[jodyb]

Can you use wheat, rye or clover seeds?

 

[pawtraitart]

Can you use wheat, rye or clover seeds?

For fodder biscuits, most folks are using a base of wheat or barley as the seeds are rather large. Other seeds can be added as long as they aren't so small that they will fall through the drainage holes. For small seed, you can pre-sprout in a jar until they have more size and then top dress over your base seed to finish up the last days of growing.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

For fodder biscuits, most folks are using a base of wheat or barley as the seeds are rather large. Other seeds can be added as long as they aren't so small that they will fall through the drainage holes. For small seed, you can pre-sprout in a jar until they have more size and then top dress over your base seed to finish up the last days of growing.

I'm using rye ... the kind for rye grain, not rye grass like you'd get at a juice bar. It is sprouting, but a little slower than I expected, which I'm SURE is because my lovely assistant misunderstood the process and dumped a HUGE amount of grains which had been soaked for 24 hours on top of my already-sprouting flats. It starts sprouting out a pretty brownish red color which turns more green as it gets taller. I'll try to post photos later ... if I can get my iPhone to play nice with my MacBook.

Here is a link to a nutritional comparison of Rye to Hulled Barley: http://skipthepie.org/cereal-grains-and-pasta/barley-hulled/compared-to/rye/

 

[pawtraitart]

I wish I had a source for rye grain. I can't find any in my area.

 

[Chris09]

I wish I had a source for rye grain. I can't find any in my area.

You can order it online,

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=14CJJXZA2ZPWN1Y0YSF0

http://www.wheatgrasskits.com/sprouting/rye_seed.htm

http://living-whole-foods-inc.amazonwebstore.com/Organic-Rye-Grain-Seeds-5-Lb/M/B002NEDJ3G.htm


Chris

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

I wish I had a source for rye grain. I can't find any in my area.

I got mine straight out of the combine. It is what we planted for a cover crop on our farm this fall. I was offered half a ton to play with -- way more than I need! I wish I could bring you some. If it weren't for those pesky chickens needing constant attention, I could load up the egg-mobile and bring you some in exchange for some hatching eggs!

 

[pawtraitart]

I got mine straight out of the combine. It is what we planted for a cover crop on our farm this fall. I was offered half a ton to play with -- way more than I need! I wish I could bring you some. If it weren't for those pesky chickens needing constant attention, I could load up the egg-mobile and bring you some in exchange for some hatching eggs!

LOL.....I appreciate the thought.Yes, FREE is always a plus! When I time things right, I can get barley to use during the winter at no cost. I like using an inexpensive seed for my base and then add a handful of various other seeds for variety.