Idaho?

[pawtraitart]

Thank you for the link! I have actually been following it a little here and there, but in all honesty, I really don't have any sunny spots in the house to grow it in. I live in a older house that has the skinniest window sills so there is now where to put any trays and the the window in the kitchen is North facing, so not much light comes through for something sitting on the counter. You may suggest using lights, but to be honest, I have an entire bedroom devoted to orchids that are all growing under T5 lights and the racks are so crammed full I have orchids sitting on the floor crowded around the grow racks, so there is absolutely no room under those lights, nor is there any money or much space to add and an additional rack and a new light....but it is something to look into down the road....however, I am sure my hubby wouldn't believe me if I said I wouldn't use it for more orchids...lol.

Fodder doesn't need much light. You don't have to put it by a window or under lights. Regular ambient light will work just as well. You aren't growing it for that long.

 

[BeccaSmith]

Fodder doesn't need much light. You don't have to put it by a window or under lights. Regular ambient light will work just as well. You aren't growing it for that long.

Really?!! That is great news! I guess I just assumed that they needed more light then just ambient light because I saw a set up in a FarmTek sale magazine that utilized grow lights. Guess I'll have to get with the program soon and give the fodder a try!

 

[pawtraitart]

Really?!! That is great news! I guess I just assumed that they needed more light then just ambient light because I saw a set up in a FarmTek sale magazine that utilized grow lights. Guess I'll have to get with the program soon and give the fodder a try!

Yep! For poultry, you aren't going for the maximum grass length, so lights aren't essential. The professional fodder systems are designed for grazing livestock where you want as much fiber as you can grow. I like the "grass" part of my fodder mixes to be around 3 inches high max, not including the root mass.

 

[lilwhispers]

Hey Michelle the americanas I got from you have finally started laying very excited.

 

[pawtraitart]

Awesome! I'm still waiting for my silver pullet to start laying. She's in my OE pen and is a total nutcase. She thinks I'm going to kill her every time I go in there. Let me know if you need another roo come spring. I have two blue wheatens and three silver running around for the winter. I'll process them next year, maybe. Rooster noodle soup. For now, they are in charge of keeping the horse manure raked out. They have divided themselves up into zones and have been doing such a good job, that I decided not to round up those guys for freezer camp quite yet. Everything else is done, thank goodness! Those ducks were NOT easy.

 

[BeccaSmith]

I'd have to read the label. If there is soy protein in it.....guaranteed GMO. The corn may or may not be GMO. Yes, the prices are painful!

Just checked the label, the 2nd ingredient is Soybean meal I need to start reading up on chicken nutrition. Does anyone know where to get non-gmo feed that hopefully won't cost an arm and a leg? I saw an ad recently on Craigs List for organic chicken feed but I think it is sold by an individual who also raises and sells meat chickens and I know nothing about them.

 

[pawtraitart]

Brand name non-GMO feed is very pricey. More and more farmers are growing GMO crops so both organic and regular crops are becoming more rare. Individuals have the option of mixing their own with known ingredients, taking advantage of a supply put together by somebody else, or buying certified organic. $$$ That is one of the reasons why I've been looking at alternate ways of feeding my flock so I'm not slave to whatever the general market makes available.

 

[BeccaSmith]

Brand name non-GMO feed is very pricey. More and more farmers are growing GMO crops so both organic and regular crops are becoming more rare. Individuals have the option of mixing their own with known ingredients, taking advantage of a supply put together by somebody else, or buying certified organic. $$$ That is one of the reasons why I've been looking at alternate ways of feeding my flock so I'm not slave to whatever the general market makes available.

It wouldn't have to be brand name or certified organic, just a reliable trustworthy source that is non-GMO! I can't afford to pay brand name! As to growing fodder, is it hard (or expensive) to find non GMO seed to use? It is sad the majority of crops are now GMO!

 

[pawtraitart]

At this time, wheat and barley are not GMO crops although studies for consumer acceptance are being done in the GMO industry. Wheat and barley are relatively inexpensive. Wheat is a better choice for poultry if you are going to feed it "as is". Barley is okay if it is fermented, sprouted, or turned into fodder.

 

[BeccaSmith]

So if ground barley is the first ingredient in my feed is that a bad thing?