The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Ms Jellybean]

Here is a good read on growing sprouts. Probably better for smaller flocks.

I bought this sprouter to use for me, but it could be used for chickens too. Just don't try to sprout chia seeds in it by following the directions. They will turn to gel.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Sally - what are the age of the birds?

 

[Leahs Mom]

Here is a good read on growing sprouts. Probably better for smaller flocks.

I bought this sprouter to use for me, but it could be used for chickens too. Just don't try to sprout chia seeds in it by following the directions. They will turn to gel.

Interesting use of the shelf paper on the FED jars.

They also make sprouting tops for wide mouth canning jars that I've seen (and own one) in health food stores that you can just screw on. Mine looks like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Sprouting-Jar...qid=1389998563&sr=8-1&keywords=sprout+jar+lid

http://www.amazon.com/Sprout-Ease-E...qid=1389998563&sr=8-3&keywords=sprout+jar+lid

Since I want to sprout in larger quantities I don't often use it...but I do have one

I love the burlap method since they can "feed themselves" and it gives them something to do in winter. And it only takes less than 2 minutes a day...and you don't have to rinse them daily.

Just the overnight soak, drain, rinse well, and stack. Nothing else No daily rinsing. Feed the 3rd or 4th day.

 

[Leahs Mom]

AFL - it's hard to sprout the flax seed as it gets kind-of "jell-like" and often doesn't want to germinate very well.. I'm looking forward to see how your flax does.

 

[armorfirelady]

My guess would be the splash is a hen and the darker one is a roo.

And don't apologize about the inside of your hen house.....I haven't seen a clean one yet. Chickens are not very good coop cleaners

They also make sprouting tops for wide mouth canning jars that I've seen (and own one) in health food stores that you can just screw on. Mine looks like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Sprouting-Jar...qid=1389998563&sr=8-1&keywords=sprout+jar+lid

Since I want to sprout in larger quantities I don't often use it...but I do have one

I love the burlap method since they can "feed themselves" and it gives them something to do in winter. And it only takes less than 2 minutes a day...and you don't have to rinse them daily.

Just the overnight soak, drain, rinse well, and stack. Nothing else No daily rinsing. Feed the 3rd or 4th day.

I love the mason jar topper. I am going to try the burlap idea. But I need to get rid of those veggies in the fridge I have for them .......but I wanted to see how they did in the mason jar.

AFL - it's hard to sprout the flax seed as it gets kind-of "jell-like" and often doesn't want to germinate very well.. I'm looking forward to see how your flax does.

Yeah I didn't think the flax or peas would sprout but I figured the girls would eat them regardless. The flax seed are stuck to the cheese cloth so they will dry first.

 

[Leahs Mom]

My peas do sprout! But they don't like them

 

[ChickensRDinos]

I know...there's just something about being able to hold a book in my hands. If I want one I always like having the hard copy.

Yay! I work in publishing....There is nothing like a real book.

 

[RedRidge]

 
I know...there's just something about being able to hold a book in my hands.  If I want one I always like having the hard copy.

Yay! I work in publishing....There is nothing like a real book.

Tell me about it... I've been wanting Crawford's "Poultry Breeding and Genetics" book for years. Last time I looked it was almost $800. :-0

 

[armorfirelady]

My peas do sprout! But they don't like them

The real test is whether Stella will eat them

She is going to be a sad girl come this spring when their electric netting goes back up & she is going to have to search for her dinner

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

Yay! I work in publishing....There is nothing like a real book.

I used to work as a librarian, then went to grad school for publishing, then worked in publishing. As much as I LOVE books, I prefer books I can read in my Kindle these days. I have trouble holding books and seeing well enough to read from a page. When my vision is particularly bad I can have the kindle read to me.

I really appreciate the craft of books ... but couldn't really read them for a few years. It is great to be able to read books again.

I'm not sure people understand the "accessibility" issues of real books for some people ...