SPROUTING GRAINS

It is winter.  In some areas, this means that the world is a lovely shade of pavement.

Here in Kentucky, everything is the same color.  The clouds are gray.  The sky is gray. The roads are gray.  Even the trees, the grass, and the majority of landscaping is in a colorless state.

There is nothing that will brighten up a gray day more than a sheet of sprouted grains.

Sprouting grains is SO EASY TO DO

It literally takes almost no effort on your part.  Just soak the seeds, spread them in a pan and water them.  In nine days you will have the most luscious lawn you have ever seen growing on your kitchen counter.

WHY SPROUT GRAINS?

Although it is easy, grain sprouting takes a bit of effort AND TIME.  Why not just toss the grain to the chickens as they are?

IT IS HEALTHIER

Grain sprouting greatly increases the nutritional content (and digestibility) of the food.  I am sure you have heard of soaking or sprouting grains for human consumption.  This eases digestion and often boosts nutrition.  The same is true for your chickens.

IT WILL SAVE YOU MONEY ON FEED

When grains are sprouted they multiply.

Well, not really.

They don’t actually duplicate, but they do become substantially more volume.  Just look at a cup of dry grain.  Sprout that same cup of grain for nine days and you will have 10 times the amount of food.  The seeds have grown roots and stems.

Because sprouting grains creates so much more edible product, you will naturally go through less feed.  Less feed means money in your pocket!

GREENS IN WINTER

Sprouting grains for the backyard flock will give them access to greens year-round.  Free-ranging chickens have a hard time foraging in the dead of winter.  Many farmers supplement the diet of the free-bird during these months.  Sprouting grains gives the chickens more than just sustenance in winter, it gives them lush green goodness.

ENTERTAINMENT

Chickens like to play too.

A carpet of glorious sprouted grains may be one of the best gifts you can give a flock of chickens.  They will love the food and entertainment.

HOW TO SPROUT GRAINS

It really is amazing all the benefits you can provide to your flock simply by adding water to their grain.  And you do not need any special equipment or grow lights to do it.

Grains can be “sprouted” on the kitchen counter with ease.

Barley or wheat grain are most commonly used for sprouting.  But use whatever you have on hand.  I used wheat berries in one tray and rye in another – because I have tons of them.

Why 2 different grains? 

I wanted to see if the rye would sprout faster than the wheat grains.

It didn’t.

To sprout grains for chickens, simply rinse the grains, soak them in clean water overnight.

Select a shallow container with small holes in the bottom for drainage.

After soaking grains, spread them 1/4 to1/2 inch thick in the bottom of the sprouting container (I used a foil pan and poked 4 small holes in the bottom).  Place the container holding grain over another container to catch the extra moisture.

Water the grains each day for 7-9 days.

You will begin to see sprouts as early as day two.

By the eighth day, the root mat will be thick and fully developed and the green tops should be around 3-4 inches tall.

Allow sprouts to grow to a height over 4 inches and you will have made fodder!

Sprouting grains for the backyard flock will give them access to greens year-round, provide entertainment, increase the nutritional content (and digestibility) AND multiply the amount of food, simply by adding water.

It is an easy way to spoil your flock or boost their diet.

XO,

Candi