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With frequent egg shortages and soaring egg prices at the grocery store, more and more people are raising their own chickens.
However, although those fresh eggs are wonderful, those chicken feed expenses can start adding up. One way to cut down on those costs is by supplementing your flock’s diet with fodder. This article discusses what fodder is and how you can grow it for your backyard flock.
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What is Fodder?
Fodder is a mat of sprouted seeds that can serve as a nutritious and cost-effective feed for chickens and other small animals. Depending on the time of year, you can grow fodder indoors or outdoors.
You can grow fodder to supplement your flock’s diet at any time, but having it as a food source can be particularly helpful in winter months when access to fresh grass and other greens is limited.
Fodder is full of vitamins, minerals, and proteins chickens need, and it is highly digestible. Another advantage is that eating fodder can help relieve your chickens’ boredom when the weather is inclement.
Steps for Growing Fodder at Home
If you’ve grown your own microgreens at home, you already have a leg up in knowing how to grow fodder. Plus, you know how easy the process is.
Seeds
Your first step is to choose the type of fodder you want to grow to supplement your flock’s dietary needs. For example, seeds with high protein content include clover, alfalfa, and peas. Or, you may prefer to try oat, wheat, or barley seeds, which germinate quickly.
Many fodder growers mix different types of seed to achieve a balance of nutrients. Popular seed choices include the following.
- Alfalfa
- Barley
- Buckwheat
- Field Peas
- Millet
- Oats
- Ryegrass
- Soybeans
- Sunflowers
- Wheat
- White Clover
- Winter Rye
Trays. You can grow your seeds indoors in trays without soil. You can find suitable trays in the garden supply section or online retailers. Or, if you prefer, you can use baking trays you have at home or recycle clean plastic or foam shallow containers for seed growing. You’ll just need to add several drainage holes if the trays don’t already have them.
Location
When growing fodder indoors during the winter months, choose a warm location. They don’t need to be in or near a windowsill. In fact, a cold window can hinder growth in the winter and may contribute to mold growth. Supplemental light typically is not required.
Most seeds will not germinate in temperatures below 50℉.  However, when nighttime lows exceed 50℉, you can place the trays outside in partial shade where they won’t get too dried out by excessive heat.
Seed Preparation
Some types of seeds (and those sold in bulk for use as livestock feed) are prone to mold. To prevent the potential of moldy fodder, you may want to disinfect your seed supply before you place them in your trays.
An easy way to disinfect the seeds is with household white vinegar. Here are the steps:
- Rinse the seeds in cold running water.
- Place them in a clean bucket.
- Cover seeds with vinegar at a level one inch above their level.
- Soak seeds in the vinegar for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Rinse seeds again with cold running water.
Place the rinsed seeds in a clean bucket and cover them with about two inches of fresh water. Let them soak overnight. The next day, drain out the seeds and transfer them to your trays. Spread out the seeds evenly in the bottom of the tray.
Watering
The seeds need to stay moist in order to germinate. Plan to give them some water once in the morning and again at night. A sprayer water bottle can work well since you want them moist but not sitting in standing water. If they are drying out between those two watering times, you may need to add a clear lid to reduce evaporation.
Growth
You should notice roots developing within the first two or three days. Then, you will see sprouting as the germination process continues. After about seven to 10 days, you should have a solid mat of fodder that is about three to four inches tall that you can remove from the tray in one piece. Keep in mind that the rate of germination can vary according to the type of seed.
Feeding
You can set the fodder mat on the ground directly in the pen. If you have a sturdy tray, you can leave it in the tray for your flock to enjoy.
Chicken Fodder FAQS
How much fodder should I feed my chickens?
The answer depends on whether the fodder is a supplemental feed or a main feed. It’s important to keep in mind that chickens eat 2 to 3 percent of their body weight each day. Also, if fodder is their main diet, consider giving them a supplement to provide them with needed calcium and other minerals.
Are sprouts and fodder the same thing?
Both sprouts and fodder are hydroponically grown feed made from grasses, grains, and legumes. The main difference is that sprouts typically are harvested before they reach four inches in height, and fodder is harvested at taller than four inches.
How much light do the seeds need to grow as fodder?
In order to germinate, the seeds require only warmth (around 70℉ is optimal) and moisture. Too much warmth can lead to mold growth. We found one study that revealed that barley sprouts grown in a greenhouse where they were exposed to bright sunlight had more root development.
On the other hand, barley sprouts grown without sunlight exposure grew longer shoots. Since your chicken will be enjoying nibbling on the shoots, it goes to follow that sunlight is not necessary.
For more information on growing fodder for your backyard chickens, check out these resources.
- Make Fodder to Save $$$ video by Ozarks Homestead and Farm
- Bargain DIY Chicken Fodder (Sprouted Wheat) video by English Country Life
- Build a Micro Tabletop Fodder System by Sherry Ann Willis
And here are some supplies to consider.
- Chicken Fodder Grow Kit
- Wheat Seeds for Fodder
- Green Feast Forage Mix
- Premium Free Range Chicks Mix Forage Seed Mixture
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