Seeds for fodder

[TrappingNY13]

This is my second post or so. Have done a lot of research and reading on these forums and elsewhere. I have stumbled across the fodder idea. Turning a pound of grains into 4 to 6 pounds of feed. I understand barley and wheat are the best options but I am unsure of the best place to buy these in 50 lb bags or something at least affordable. Everything online is too pricey or $60 in shipping. Are there feed bags that come with grains that can,be used to grow fodder? Any negatives to feeding fodder? Any advice appreciated. Thank you.

 

[PirateGirl]

I've used the seeds from serenitysprouts.com
I picked up a 50lb bag locally, so no shipping, but if you buy the 18lb bag it's free shipping, so it works out cheaper to Order a few small bags than one big one. Also a lot of people seem to like ordering grains from Azure Standard.

 

[cavemanrich]

How do you intend to grow your fodder??? Many peeps do grow small quantities in jars of water and after a short time they give the greens to their chickens. This they usually do during winter when stuff is not growing outdoors. I do not see growing fodder as a way to multiply your nutritional amount from a given seed. It does get larger in volume, but unless it grows for a long time and gets nutrients from the earth, there is no way to get something for nothing. Growing small amounts in a jar does provide some greens to chickens that like to nibble on such feed. Not sure what you will use to make it grow more. Chemical fertilizers are not my idea to produce more growth. Just adding water again, getting something for nothing gain not really realistic. JMO.
If you do want to experiment with growing greens, pull out some of the seeds from scratch. My scratch mixture contains 4 grains, including cracked corn . Obviously the cracked corn will not sprout. The other grains may. Different suppliers will make their scratch blends with different grains so my 4 grain mix may not be universal.
If your feed store sells pigeon feed, it is all whole seeds. You may want to try a small quantity and see how they sprout and grow.
WISHING YOU BEST..... and

 

[lazy gardener]

There is a slight gain in nutrient value when comparing a dry grain of wheat to a sprouted grain of wheat. The enzyme action, break down of antinutrients, and photosynthesis in the new sprout result in that. However, there comes a point of diminishing returns by the time the grains reach the fodder stage. By then, nutrient levels are dropping as fiber levels are greatly increasing.

I see sprouting as an excellent means of supplementing the flock's diet during snow season. I don't see it as being a year round benefit, though, if you are dedicated to sprouting year round, it couldn't hurt!

You definitely will not realize a 6 fold increase in food value when comparing fodder to the dry grains from which it came.

I pick up a 50# bag of animal feed grade barley or wheat in the fall. I also sprout BOSS, and occasionally white millet.