Is there a cheaper way?

[silkiechicken]

Sprouting sounds fun, but our scratch grains are about 75% cracked corn so I'd not let those sit in water more than a day or so. Perhaps wild bird seed may work.

 

[Maryallison77]

I am loving the idea of sprouting the scratch. It kinda sounds like if you accidently left a pack of seeds outside and it got wet and then it starts to grow. I have a few of those seed starter trays, may give it a try with those.

Thanks for the great ideas!!!

 

[ChickaD]

kstaven, what have you found that works for large flat trays? Mine isn't nearly large enough.

 

[just4fun]

I am very new to "farming". What kind of seed do you put in the tray? Could I use the "layer crumblers" I've been buying? How big do you let the sprouts get?

Also, is there something you can grow in the summer to feed your chickens in the winter. Someone (who doesn't raise chickens) told me you can feel them JUST grass. Any truth to this?

 

[K7S10]

My chickens love duckweed. We have a large mucky pond on our property that's thick with the stuff. I scoop up a bucket full every day for them. I've found that cuts back on grain costs about 30-40%

 

[LynneP]

The only consolation I take at the cost of feed is that the cost of commercial eggs is going up too. Sigh.

 

[buc]

Quote:
Go to your local food store, contact two departments there, the fresh produce and the bake goods. Tell them what you can do for them as far as taking out of date or unsalable foods off thier hands, like bananas , at some point they go past the point of being able to be sold, so tell them you will pick them up, work out a schedule with the store and be on time, everytime.

In return if you have a dozen or so eggs and you can get them sold, well, who better to give them too then the contacts you have made at the store.

 

[cmom]

Check out the next thread. Very interesting.

 

[ChickaD]

just4fun, I used wheat grain, nothing cracked since that would damage the seed. Whatever seeds are used for sprouting should work. I just went for what we had on hand that was cheaper by the lb. Layer crumbles wouldn't work since it's not a whole seed. I guess it doesn't matter how long you let the sprouts get - longer takes longer. The chickens will go NUTS for them!

OK, BYC'ers - what seed do you use to sprout?

 

[just4fun]

Thank you for all the great ideas. One of the hens flew the coop so I let them all out to free range and the dog is totally ignoring them!!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I was very pleased to see that one of the hens who is laying now went in to lay inside the coop! Who says birds are dumb?