Do you know how to sprout seeds?  It is a simple way to add a high protein punch to the winter poultry diet.  I used to think it was too complicated and time consuming but once I tried it, I realized how quick and inexpensive it was to add a powerhouse of nutrients for my birds.  All you need is some whole oat or wheat which you can find in 40 pound bags at Buchheit.  Let me show you how to sprout seeds for your flock.

1. Set up.  All you need is three plastic buckets, one that you leave whole and the other two you poke holes into the bottom and side of the buckets.  You can use a cleaned out milk jug, they work well.  Find a larger container in which to place the two containers with bottom holes.

2.  Take about a ½ to 1 cup of wheat and put it in the container without the holes.  Cover with water and soak the seeds for 24 hours.  Rinse and divide seeds between the two containers with holes.  See how plumb the seeds are?

3.  Set sprouting containers into a larger container that will catch any water leaking from the holes in the bottom of the sprouting containers.  Set in a sunny place but doesn’t really need direct sunlight.  Rinse twice daily.  I rinse one and pour water from that one into the other sprouting container, then drain that container as well.

4.  Day two the sprouts will start to develop “tails” as the seeds sprout.  Any time after the seeds start sprouting, you can feed them to the flock but I like to wait for more greenness.

The purpose of rinsing the sprouts is to make sure that they do not sour or mold.  While you do not need to put them in bright light, be careful to not allow them to overheat if placed in direct sunshine.

Day three “leaf tails” grow towards the sun and roots continue to develop.  Keep rinsing them twice daily. They are ready to feed to the flock now. 

Day four, now is the time to feed the girls a special treat loaded with micro-nutrients and protein.  If you allow the “leaf tails” to get much longer you run the risk that the lengthy greenery may get caught in the chickens’ crop. If they do get away from you, just pretend you have a Chia Pet and clip the “hair.” You can then feed all of it to the flock.  They will love it!  Hope you try sprouting grains soon, the wheat and oats are waiting at Buchheit.  Sincerely here to help.   Be blessed.  Anne May