How to Grow Sprouts For Your Chickens
Learn how to grow sprouts for your chickens. It’s super easy, you can try it both indoors and outdoors, and it’ll save you money on your feed bill!
In my last post, I talked about how fermenting your chicken feed is a great way to double their food. Today, I’m going to focus on making sprouts which is also quite a transformation (in a good way). But quite honestly, I feel like sprouting from seed more like quadruples the amount of food!
What Are Sprouted Seeds?
They’re produced by germinating seeds in water. When you do that, it produces green shoots with leaves. The chickens love it!
Benefits of Sprouts
- Nutritious: High in protein, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that help aid in their digestion.
- Inexpensive: Depending on the seed you choose, you can pick relatively cheap seeds to sprout such as wheat, barley, and oats.
- Easy to grow: You don’t need a fancy set up to sprout your seeds. All you need is a jar, a mesh lid, and some seeds.
- Improved digestion: While your seeds are sprouts, complex carbs are broken down into simpler forms, like simple sugar and amino acids. This makes it easier to digest and absorb. (Same works for humans!)
- Boosted immunity: Sprouted seeds are high in antioxidants.
I have a rotation where I start a new batch of seeds every week, if not more! Sprouted seeds are one of those things you can feed your chickens and not worry about “overdoing” it.
The sprouted stage of the seeds is the healthiest state you could consume that item.
Select Seeds to Grow Sprouts for your Chickens
There are a variety of seeds to choose from. I go with what’s available and what’s the least expensive. For ease and convenience, you can simply purchase a seed sprouting mix. I have used this one before.
But upon further investigation, I found buying seeds in bulk are much cheaper!
Look in the bulk section of your health food store, or my favorite place to buy in bulk is Azure Standard.
- alfalfa
- barley
- broccoli
- clover
- corn
- lentils
- oats
- peas
- quinoa
- radish
- sunflower seeds
- wheat berries
Supplies For Growing Sprouts for Your Chickens (For A Small Scale)
- 32 oz. mason jar(s)
- seed sprouting lid(s), cheesecloth, screen. Be creative!
- seeds of choice or seed mix
- water
- seed sprouting jar stand (optional)
How to Grow Sprouts for Your Chickens (On a Smaller Scale)
- I fill a 32 oz. mason jar with 2 Tbsp. of seeds. You could add a couple heaping tablespoons up to one cup of your seed of choice. Of course, the amount will vary depending on the size of your jar. I got this mix from Amazon but going forward I plan to buy in the bulk section of a health food store or Azure Standard for a MUCH better rate. The mix off of Amazon cost $18 for 1 lb. At the health food store, I can get a pound of wheat berries for under $4.
- Fill your jar with water. Let it soak for 8-12 hours. I try to do it first thing in the morning or before bed.
- After 8-12 hours, add a mesh lid to your jar and rinse the water out. Set it to drain.
- Rinse 1-2 times a day until your jar is filled with sprouts. It’s important to rinse it at least once a day, otherwise they’ll go bad, and you’ll smell it! I do my best to remember morning and night to prevent bacteria and mold from growing.
- The ideal sprout length is 1/8 in. – 2 in. long. This can take anywhere from 2-7 days. Feed your chickens and start the process all over!
And that’s it. It’s a super easy process and even a great chore for your kids to do. The chickens love it and it’s such a great way to get some freshness into their diet during the colder months.
