Supplementing Your Chicken Feed

Supplementing your chicken feed is very effective way at providing a nutrient dense diet to keep those ladies laying. There are many different crops that can be utilized indoors simply by sprouting some seeds on your window sill. In many crops the sprouting seeds and baby plants contain a higher amount of beneficial proteins and nutrients than that of the fully developed plant. In common practice of poultry keepers supplementing your flocks diet ensures they receive all the necessary nutrients. Keeping your flock in optimal health and productivity. If you grow your own microgreens all these processes are very similar.

Supplementing Your Chicken Feed TOP 5

1.Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass is a simple crop to grow indoors or outdoors for your chickens, believed to improve your chickens digestive tracts which helps increase their resistance to coccidiosis. Grass provides about a quarter of the daily food requirements for chickens. High in beta carotene, iron, protein and vitamins C,E and B6 wheat grass will reduce the amount of feed necessary for your flock.

HOW TO SPROUT WHEATGRASS

Sprouting wheatgrass is simple, and with aid from a window sill or supplementing a little light you can grow your own and provide your birds with some fresh greens to aid their digestive tract. Soak 1/4 cup of grain seed in cool water for about 6 hours to no more than 12. Rinse and drain your seeds two to three times a day, until roots are just visible. Spread the seeds across a tray of soil and place under a light or window sill. Once your grass has reached desired length 4-12″ it is ready for harvest.

2.Lentils

The sprouting of lentils increases the amounts of minerals and vitamins within the lentils themselves. Vitamin C , B12, riboflavin, zinc and other antioxidants are all found within the lentil sprouts at higher levels than the mature plant. Also after germination the mean protein concentration found was highly increased in all lentil varieties making lentils a great protein booster for your laying hens. Protein being an essential part of their diet, especially in laying hens.

HOW TO SPROUT LENTILS

The process of sprouting your own lentils is simple and takes about 4 days. Soak your lentils in a jar for half a day. Rinsing the lentils a few times a day will encourage sprouting. Keeping the lentils wet but not soaked allows them to sprout quite easily. After three to four days the lentils are ready to provide your flock with a delicious nutrient boost, especially during those cold winter months.

3.Calcium

Calcium is needed by chickens in order to produce strong egg shells. Many egg farmers and chicken owners add crushed oyster shells into their feed. However there is another option. The chicken’s own egg shells can be ground up and added to their feed. By simply rinsing the egg shells and baking for 20 minutes the shells grind down easily with a mortar and pestle. Once the shells have been crushed down, simply add to the feed.

4.Sunflower

Sprouting sunflowers for your chickens is one of the top high protein foods and helps your flock with moulting. Containing lots of vitamin E, sunflower sprouts also contain methionine which is an important amino acid necessary for birds. Supplementing your chicken feed with sunflowers is highly recommended by chicken owners and farmers alike.

HOW TO SPROUT SUNFLOWERS

To sprout your sunflower seeds all you need is a jar and ideally a mesh breathable top. Soak your sunflower seeds over night. Drain off all the water and invert the jar at an angle so the seeds don’t fall out but the moisture drains down. This allows air to circulate. Rinsing the seeds 2 to 3 times a day while draining and inverting in the same method. Sprouts should start to form within the first full day. The sunflower sprouts are complete once the sprouting tail emerges.

5.Barley

One of the most commonly sprouted grains, barley is a healthy addition to their regular feedings. Containing over the daily recommendation of fibre for your birds barley sprouts also contain 23 grams of protein and only 4 grams of fat per serving. Soaking and sprouting of barley seeds is thought to increase mineral, vitamin, protein and antioxidant levels.

HOW TO SPROUT BARLEY

In a container wash your barley until the water clears. This may take a few rinses. Fill your container with water over the washed seeds at a 2:1 ratio. Drain the water the next day. Pouring the moist seeds into a cloth to squeeze the water out. Tie the cloth into a bag and hang for 8 to 10 hours. after about 8 hours they should have just started to sprout. sprinkling water and hang for another 8 hours. Spread your sprouted seeds in a tray under direct light for 5 – 8 hours and they are ready.