Winter Feed Cost and Growing Fodder

[goldenyears]

Fodder System Success!! Greens in the winter, lots of snow and -20 Celsius View attachment 2966897View attachment 2966898View attachment 2966902View attachment 2966903View attachment 2966904

You’re much more sophisticated than I am - I just use seed trays. You have inspired me to reform my ways (in this regard!). Thanks for the excellent pics.

 

[jenswinebar]

It is winter here in New York. My flock has been cooped (pun intended) up inside for the past month and a half. They are going through food like crazy and not laying eggs. I need a solution to this and I found two options, fermenting feed and growing fodder. I already have the fermenting process working but one issue that has arisen is because of the cold temperatures, the feed freezes if the chickens don't eat it fast enough. Any suggestions on this would be helpful!
Growing them fodder is my next excursion in chicken keeping. I have read around the web looking for inspo and articles on how to do it. I found a few that use aluminum pans, I got those today. I understand the process of growing the fodder but finding the grain is where I'm having issues. The articles that I have read on fodder don't say where they get the said grain. Most of them say that they get their grain from their feed store but TSC neither Runnings sells grain like that. The few articles that do state where they get the grain online, it is usually very expensive. I found that the articles say that growing fodder is economical. From what I am seeing, it isn't. Where are you all getting your grain? I would prefer to grow wheatgrass/ wheat berries but I am having no luck finding them. I have also seen people suggest using BOSS in YT videos and in articles. Would BOSS work well? I could easily find this inexpensively as a worst-case scenario. Thanks for all the help

Hi! I see you are in NY which means there might be an Agway near you? They would have grains for sowing! I just bought winter rye seed there.

 

[MamaChick70]

It is winter here in New York. My flock has been cooped (pun intended) up inside for the past month and a half. They are going through food like crazy and not laying eggs. I need a solution to this and I found two options, fermenting feed and growing

I am also in NY. Have chickens for about 4 years now (not an expert but I can share my experience ). I live in rural but close to a main road so I limit their free-range.

During the winter my ladies are in their run for the most part, especially when snow is on the ground. My 8 ladies are still laying we are getting between 3-7 eggs a day. I do not use a light or have a heater in my coop. However, they have their food which I buy from a local feed store. I use to go to tsc for the food- I no longer do. I also give them scratch that I buy from the Local feed store and buy separately grain scratch, and free range blend and dried meal worms. I mix everything into a metal garbage can. I give them this before they go into the coop when the temperature is below 20 degrees or what I consider nasty. It helps them store heat before going into the coop. I throw it in the run and I bought them a pecking toy for stimulation that helps. Here is the link (FYI it took awhile to get here the company is in Europe) (https://www.omlet.us/shop/chicken_keeping/chicken_peck_toy/)

I give them pumpkins that I have, bananas, and vegetables that I have (squash, zucchini etc) that we didn't eat for the week (as long as it is still good) instead of throwing it away. I attached some pictures for you.

I also utilize heavy plastic around the run in the winter to keep them warmer. I hope this helps.

Another note, in the run for the winter I add straw on the ground.

 

[Julie DeRoche]

I just started feeding some barley that I got from my son after he brewed beer. I feed small amounts of this along with the laying pellets hoping it will give them more energy during our cold northern ontario winters. I keep it frozen. They seem to love it. Any feed back would be appreciated.

 

[Rsnider]

It is winter here in New York. My flock has been cooped (pun intended) up inside for the past month and a half. They are going through food like crazy and not laying eggs. I need a solution to this and I found two options, fermenting feed and growing fodder. I already have the fermenting process working but one issue that has arisen is because of the cold temperatures, the feed freezes if the chickens don't eat it fast enough. Any suggestions on this would be helpful!
Growing them fodder is my next excursion in chicken keeping. I have read around the web looking for inspo and articles on how to do it. I found a few that use aluminum pans, I got those today. I understand the process of growing the fodder but finding the grain is where I'm having issues. The articles that I have read on fodder don't say where they get the said grain. Most of them say that they get their grain from their feed store but TSC neither Runnings sells grain like that. The few articles that do state where they get the grain online, it is usually very expensive. I found that the articles say that growing fodder is economical. From what I am seeing, it isn't. Where are you all getting your grain? I would prefer to grow wheatgrass/ wheat berries but I am having no luck finding them. I have also seen people suggest using BOSS in YT videos and in articles. Would BOSS work well? I could easily find this inexpensively as a worst-case scenario. Thanks for all the help

Feed them warm rice in the morning, along w/their egg laying pellet food & you’ll get eggs! I do this all winter & I get eggs daily

 

[saysfaa]

... hoping it will give them more energy during our cold northern ontario winters....

Why do you think their regular feed isn't giving them enough energy?

 

[NaperLix]

Using finely chopped green lettuce is what I use everyday,all year.I never use lights,however the coop is heated by several panels per coop.Way below zero here.
egg laying is good for older hens.younger ones finishing molt.

 

[TOPChickens14]

Using artificial light may bump the egg production, but it doesn't allow the hens to go through a natural resting period. This shortens their laying lives, so you will be replacing them sooner. It's kind of a trade-off. If you absolutely depend on the eggs daily, then that's the way to go.

My family does depend on them and I would really prefer it if I didn't have to buy eggs.

 

[TOPChickens14]

Hello, I just wanted to double check your ladies were getting light in the coop? I’m in Canada and have some vicious winters so the ladies are “cooped” up a lot! Lol
Without adequate light hours the laying will stop/slow. I use a regular LED bulb in mine, stays cool to the touch but nice light for the ladies!

I am working on slowly adding their hours of light.

 

[TOPChickens14]

Hi! I see you are in NY which means there might be an Agway near you? They would have grains for sowing! I just bought winter rye seed there.

Hmm... There aren't any Agway stores near me but on the website's store locator tool, it lists Aubuchon hardware and Curtis Lumber. Are those dealers for Agway or something?