Sprouting Wheat

[jthornton]

Have you considered buying Sodium Percarbonate and making your H2O2 as needed?

I actually have some Sodium Percarbonate but found some gallon size Hydrogen Peroxide online a while back so I got a couple of gallons and now the stores have it on the shelves again. That's a good idea to keep in the dark recesses of my gray matter if it comes up again. I used to brew a lot of beer in 25 gallon batches. Dang I need to clean out the brew cabinets they are full of stuff lol.

JT

 

[RebelEgger]

I have a little growing operation in my house...tried outside and everything fermented. I'm using dollar tree bins and just cycle them as they are fed. I just sprinkle the seeds in the bottom in a thin layer, soak 24 hours, drain water, leave covered until they sprout and then I move them where they are now to grow.

I do want to make some grow frames for their yard....there's pretty nice composted soil so I might just try to build a cover for the ground and sew the seed directly in the dirt with the frame over top to protect the seeds as they grow. Wild bird seed seems to grow like crazy...and I have an Omega 3 forager blend I'd like to try growing for them.

Thanks for this idea. I'm going to pick up some bins at the dollar store this week and get this set up this weekend! Currently I just grow barley sprouts for my girls in a mason jar 1/3 cup at a time (I only have 3 hens and a mister) they think it's a fantastic treat and turn feral when they see the jar coming! I picked up some wheat today to try. Hoping your method works for me! ..and that the cats leave it alone! lol
Great thread guys, good info!

 

[Sally PB]

@RebelEgger, here is another thread about fodder too.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...re-its-fodder-season-🍀.1429474/#post-23549565

Good luck!

 

[RebelEgger]

@RebelEgger, here is another thread about fodder too.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/guess-what-season-it-is-in-the-northern-hemisphere-its-fodder-season-.1429474/#post-23549565

Good luck!

Thanks @Sally PB ive seen this one too!! I can’t wait until we move to the new house, then I’ll have room for a bigger operation!!! For both fodder and chickens!

 

[jthornton]

This thread has a video of my current method of sprouting wheat. I don't see any more mold at all now.

JT

 

[jthornton]

I've been doing some experimenting with my sprouts as the basement is colder this time of year. I put a tray of seeds in the fermentation chiller turned into a proofing box for sourdough bread making. I was surprised how much difference a few degrees of temperature can make. The proofing box is set to 72°F.

The trays are left to right from day 1 - 7. You can see the huge difference between day 6 (the one that stays in the proofing box) and day 7.

 

[Sally PB]

Since I've been growing my barley fodder in a terra cotta dish, it has grown much better. The roots are better and more massive, the mat more cohesive. I have the terra cotta sitting in a pie plate with some water in it so that the terra cotta doesn't dry out as quickly.

I also mixed up some bleach/water solution at a ratio of 1TBS/gallon. One of the first waterings I do after the soak is with that. I haven't had any issues with mold at all.

 

[jthornton]

Since I've been growing my barley fodder in a terra cotta dish, it has grown much better.

Got a photo of your setup?

JT

 

[Sally PB]

It's tiny compared to what everyone else is doing. The terra cotta is 6" in diameter. Since it's on the kitchen counter, I'm only doing one at a time. I don't have any windows that get direct sunlight for any length of time.

I have only four chickens... at the moment. I plan to get 3-4 more chicks this spring. So maybe next year I will need to do more fodder than I do right now.

 

[jthornton]

@Sally PB that's some good looking root mass... nice and clean.

JT