Sprouting grains

[PerlyBee]

After a week and half of trying to grow fodder and not getting past day 3 without mold. After watching a video of this man that would soak the seeds, dump them in the chicken run and cover then with a basket for a couple of days. Well i tried it and sure enough we got sprouts now! I have fodder growing mold free now by spraying diluted hydrogen peroxide to the trays at least once a day but I find growing sprouts in the chicken run way easier. Just wanted to share

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

I had the very same problem with the mold first and changed two things: Rinse the grain before you soak it until the water is clear and i located my fodder tower to the garage where temperatures are low. It takes a bit longer for the grains to sprout and grow but no mold anymore.

 

[aart]

Yes thats what’s been working for me! Growing it inside was too much work!

Look at the grazing frames, the plants will live much longer if you use them.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

After a week and half of trying to grow fodder and not getting past day 3 without mold.

Glad that worked our for you!

Maybe you are working with a harder to sprout seed? Barley was said to be the easiest.

My info shows that fodder is not actually better than about day 3 sprouts anyways... but green *seems* so much better...
Fodder Nutrient values

Your ladies are lovely!

 

[PerlyBee]

Thanks I had oats, wheat and BOSS. Oats would sprout the fastest but get mold first. I live in Deep South Tx so I figure i can grow it in the chicken most of the year.

 

[RebelChief]

Hi. Yes im about 5mins from Mcallen about an hr from Brownsville.
Soaking the seeds and then dumping them on the run and covering them with a plastic crate works perfectly! My chickens have been enjoying fresh sprouts.( See pic i posted at the top of this thread)

I think I might try doing that in the flower boxes I have outside the coop and then just pulling up sections for them. My run is sand so I'm not sure how that would work.

I have to go to McA next week to meet with the VA VocRehab people. I dread the drive. UGH.

 

[PerlyBee]

Look at the grazing frames, the plants will live much longer if you use them.

Thank you Aart. will do!

 

[aart]

@PerlyBee You could probably sow seeds directly into the ground and cover with 'grazing frames'.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/grazing-frames.73645/

 

[RebelChief]

Thanks I had oats, wheat and BOSS. Oats would sprout the fastest but get mold first. I live in Deep South Tx so I figure i can grow it in the chicken most of the year.

I'm having the mold issue too...my fodder is growing great but I keep getting mold. I think I need to rinse better and do bleach.

P.s. .. are you close to Brownsville?

 

[RebelChief]

Do you have a colder room? My Garage stays at a constant 10°C (50F) and i have no mold issues until i take the bin i intend to feed upstairs into the guest room.
Also, try your best to remove any foreign material (straw, twigs, etc…) from the grains and rinse until the water comes out clean, everything that floats won't sprout and needs to be removed.

I'm also in very southern Texas. It was in the 90's today. My garage is pretty warm.