This past week, I embarked on a fun little "adult science fair" project to try sprouted grains for chickens. I ordered some raw, organic, non-GMO barley and alfalfa seeds to experiment with. You can sprout various grains, beans, or lentils for your flock, but here’s an important note: never feed your chickens dried, uncooked beans. They contain a toxin called hemagglutinin, which can be deadly. However, once cooked or sprouted, the toxins are destroyed, making them safe and nutritious for your chickens!
Why Barley and Alfalfa?
I chose barley and alfalfa simply because they sounded good to me. These grains arrived in the mail, and as I endured the crazy looks of my family, I set to work. My husband has pointed out more than once that our chickens eat better than we do! But, what can I say? I told him he was more than welcome to throw some of the sprouts on his sandwich! That was the end of that conversation. Haha! Anyway! Here is what I did to create this wonderful healthy treat.
Materials Needed:
Glass quart jars and rings
Foil pans with lids (I put the lids under the pan with holes to catch the drips)
Cheese cloth
Water
Grains (barley and alfalfa in this case)
How to Sprout Grains for Your Chickens
Soak the Grains: Put about ¼ cup of grains in each jar and ½ cup in each pan. Rinse the grains well, then fill up the containers with water and let the grains soak for at least 8 hours or overnight.
Drain and Rinse: After soaking, drain and rinse the grains. It’s important to remove all the water to prevent mold from growing. I found it easier to drain the jars using cheesecloth compared to the pans, but it gets easier as the sprouts grow.
Rinse Twice a Day: Continue rinsing and draining the sprouts twice a day. That’s it! It’s one of the easiest and most cost-effective treats I’ve found for our flock.
Jars vs. Pans: Which Method Works Best?
I tried sprouting in both jars and pans to see which method I preferred. Interestingly, the barley grew better in the pan, while the alfalfa sprouted better in the jar. I’m not sure why, but both methods work!
Jars: Easier to rinse and drain, and they take up less room. Plus, they look cute sitting on the counter!
Pans: Provide a bit more grain and are easy to feed from. Either method works, so it’s just a personal preference. I’ll probably stick with the jars for convenience.
Feeding Sprouted Grains to Chickens
It’s so much fun to watch the sprouts grow! By day 4 or 5, they were ready to feed, and the girls were so excited. I noticed they preferred the barley sprouts but eventually ate the alfalfa too. I happened to have all of these items at home outside of the grains. I decided to try sprouting both in jars and in pans to see which method I preferred. In the end, the barley grew better in the pan and the alfalfa grew better in the jar. I have no idea why.
Important Note: Sprouts Aren’t a Feed Replacement
It is important to note that sprouted grains should NOT replace a quality feed for your chickens. It’s a great way for chickens to get fresh greens if they’re not free-rangers or dealing with winter months. But, your chickens still need a good quality feed. And, of course, when you’re adding Chicken E-lixir™ to their water, they are going to be getting important vitamins and minerals and prebiotics!
My chickens are pets to our family and their health is very important to me. Finding inexpensive ways to care for them and provide nutritious treats is incredibly important to me as well. Healthy hens equal healthy eggs. And there’s nothing better than knowing you’re eating things that promote healthy, strong bodies for your family.
Until next time,
-The Wing Lady
Chicken E-lixir - Daily Vitamin for Chickens
Chicken E-lixir is added to drinking water as a daily vitamin for keeping chickens healthy by promoting digestive health. For everyday use, it contains a unique blend of organic oregano essential oil, prebiotics, calcium, vitamins D & E and electrolytes.