Do you grow sprouts?
If you do, are they for your own use—salads, stir-fries, crunchy sandwich toppers?
Or, have you grown them for your chickens?
Last winter, I was asked to try growing fodder for my chickens. I discovered that the green fodder mat became a healthy addition to the flock’s daily diet. They knew that the blue dish that came to the coop with their fresh water every morning contained something special, and it didn’t take long for every morsel to be gobbled up. It seemed to me that feathers were a bit shinier, eyes a bit brighter—and it’s a fact that there was no illness in the coop last winter.
So, a few weeks ago when I was offered, by a representative from mercola.com, an opportunity to review their sprouting seeds, I was eager to give it a try. The box came just before the holidays, and it’s been sitting under the bench in the front room until the decorations were down and the majority of the houseguests had departed. This box contained some other items in addition to a 3-oz. package of organic sprouting seeds (broccoli). I decided to review the sprouting seeds, and offer other products to you as a giveaway.
THE REVIEW:
The instructions told me to begin with a wide mouth quart jar and a sprouting lid. I have plenty of quart jars, and since I sprout various grains and seeds here in my kitchen quite often, I already have sprouting lids in graduated sizes. If you do not have sprouting lids, here’s an article showing a clever way to make your own lids at home.
- Step 1: Put 1 tablespoon of the seeds into the jar, add cool water, cap with the sprouting lid, and soak the seeds for two hours.
- Step 2: Leaving the cap on, drain, rinse and repeat.
Turn the jar on its side at an angle (so it will continue to drain). I leaned the jar in a bowl. Cover the jar with a towel to keep it out of the light. You could also just put the bowl with the jar into a dark cupboard. - Step 3: Repeat the rinsing and draining every 8 to 12 hours over the next 3 to 5 days. Return the jar to the bowl and cover again. You’ll notice each time that things are happening to the seeds.
36 hours growth
First, tiny sprouts will start showing, then more and more,
3 days growth
eventually the first little leaves will arrive. And this all in less than a week!
- After the last rinse, remove the towel and put the jar in a sunny spot. The sprouts will turn green in the light –and they are ready to eat.
greening up on the windowsill
I started the sprouting on Monday, put them on the windowsill Saturday morning, and Sunday morning took them out to the henhouse for the ladies.
It has been quite cold for the past few days, and the ground here in Western New York has been covered with snow for a week or so longer. Other than kitchen scraps of lettuces, carrots, cabbages and apples, the hens have received no fresh produce in a while. My hens are a curious lot, anyhow, and the moment I entered the chicken coop with the blue treat bowl in my hand they began crowding around and discussing amongst themselves what it might contain.
As soon as I set the bowl down, the chickens jostled for positions and began to sort through the sprouts. 
They had them half finished by the time I had cleaned out the nests, refilled the feeder and swapped out water jugs. As a chicken treat: the broccoli sprouting seeds from mercola.com were a success!
I did try a couple of the sprouts myself, I’ll confess, and found them refreshingly crunchy. I have two more jars soaking right now, and I think a handful of those will go on my lunch next week.
THE RESULTS:
Sprouted broccoli seeds are an easy to prepare, obviously tasty treat for chickens.
I like the fact that the seeds provided to me by mercola.com were organic, non-GMO verified. I’m fussy about feeds and seeds.
I did research the health benefits of broccoli seeds, and found that they contain
sulforaphane – a potent compound responsible for boosting cell enzymes to help protect against molecular damage. Additionally, I just like the idea of feeding living greens to my flock.
Will I continue to use sprouted seeds for flock treats? Yes, I am certain I will. In fact, I’ve discovered that I can purchase three types of sprouting seeds from mercola.com right HERE, so if I decide I want to try something besides broccoli sprouts with my flock, I can do that, too. (This is the link so you can purchase them, too!)
DISCLAIMER: I was provided with sprouting seeds (broccoli) from mercola.com, but the opinions in the review are entirely my own—and that of my flock of 17 hens.
351 Comments
I sprout sunflower seeds for my birds and they love it, i put seeds in a mason jar and rinse in cold water, us cheese cloth in the lid, rinse every day for about three days and you will have sprouts.
Happy are my birds and beneficial are sunflower seed sprouts.
Just started doing sprouts at home for my chickens with a makeshift sprouting jar! Would love this one!
I just got chickens. We moved and there were about a dozen hens already here. So all of this is new and wonderful. This would be a wonderful way for my to help keep my new loves healthy and providing me with eggs!!!
Sounds like fun. Will have to give it a try! Thanks for the info.
I have not yet used sprouts myself. I’ve seen some friends use them and they really like using them.
Thanks for the article! I have to try this-adding sprouts to our salads sounds great, not to mention a great addition for the girls.
id love to win!
I’ve sprouted lentils, wheat grass, sunflower and field peas for my birds. They love it! The field peas didn’t like the mason jar too much though. They were a little slimy…
I am always looking for great ideas for feeding my flock HEALTHIER food. I have not tried this product but am very excited to be able to get the chance in your contest. I try to spoil the chickens as healthy as possible and this is just the way to do it. Thank you for the wonderful opportunity. (aka; the Crazy Chicken Farm, in AZ)
Yes I’ve sprouted many seeds for my chickens and rabbits. I ve not found a sprouted seed yet that they don’t like! I would love to have a chance to win any of these!
I have never tried sprouts! I would love to try this! I think that my girls would love it!
I sprout for myself and have given my hens wheatgrass I have grown – would love to try this!!
Love your blog. I follow and share. I sprout mine in a homemade hydroponic system. I would love to try this out, its much smaller and easier to put somewhere. I would love to win this. Fingers Crossed! Thanks!
~Crystal
I eat sprouts-never thought of them for the “girls”.
I have never tried sprouting seeds for my chickens but would love to try
I have never planted edible sprouts for my chickens to eat, though that doesn’t stop them from raiding my garden. I do plant a row of Canna bulbs in front of their run though, which gives them shade during the summer days.
Hello
sproats on my sandwich
I haven’t fed sprouts yet but I’m very interested in doing so for both chickens and goats
I recently acquired 13 more chickens! Two people liked my ads for eggs where I described how happily my chickens live, and begged me to take theirs when they had to move. Well, I just LOVE them. So, anything to make them happy. They all have names, but, since 7 are Rhodies, 3 are Barred Rocks, 3 are white (forgot the breed type). they are not easy to tell apart! I tried the leg rings, but I wish there were rings in red, blue, green instead of lavender, white, light blue. Does anyone know how to find bright colored rings?
Anyway, they and the two roosters have such a good time! Adding in high protein, high vitamins sprouts will be just so GREAT for them! If I win, I will use the equipment, but, even if I don’t win, I will find a place to purchase inexpensive seeds, and just use two buckets: One for starting the sprouts and one with tiny holes on the bottom for rinsing them. My hen will have FUN!
i have 4 wonderful girls that i love so much and they love sprout!!! my email is bribrimarieshanley@gmail.com in case you need it to contact thanks so much for the chance they would be sooo happy !! 🙂
Please enter my name into the drawing.
Sounds like a great way to perk up my chickens when the ground they are used to foraging is deep in snow. Please enter me into the contest. Thanks.
i am researching ideas for sustainability and for spoiling my 8 hens. We have rises them since chicks last spring and I want to make sure I’m doing what’s best for them. Wonderful blog!
One man’s salad is another animals lunch.
What a smart thing to. I’ll have to try feeding sprouts to my own flock.
Sounds interesting and easy enough. You’ve inspired me to give it a try.
We will be getting our first flock this spring, and I am gathering helpful hints as we finish up the coop. I will add feeding sprouts to the list. We enjoy sprouts now, especially on a sandwich.
I have not tried sprouts for my girls but it sounds like a great idea! I do buy & chop up lettuce cabbage carrots apples and whatever else i can find on sale – especially during the winter when they can’t get out to find tasty tidbits in the yard & old pasture.
My mom regularly grows sprout mats in trays and brings the leftovers to me for my chickens. I only have jars and enjoy a variety of different sprouts. I really enjoy them as a soup topper, a big lump partially submerged in the soup to wilt them a bit.
I’d love to try growing sprouts for my flock. Please enter me!
I have never tried sprouting seeds for my chickens but would love to try!!! Sign me up!!!
This is another one I’ve got to try. Thanks for the inspiration.
I have been looking into sprouting seeds for my hens… This looks like a great place to start!
I bought clover seed to sprout before Christmas, but haven’t gotten around to getting my sprouting hardware together yet. Would love to have a sprouting tray. Thanks for putting the ideas and opportunity out there!
This sounds like a wonderful idea I think I will pick up seeds and start some sprouts today! Thank you for the idea, I always get new information from you.
Brilliant idea for growing!
I sprout organic mung beans for my flock (38 chickens, 7 ducks and 5 geese) through the winter and they LOVE them! It takes about 4 days from seed to sprout so I have a rotating system of 4 clear plastic jars with cheesecloth lids held on with elastics. Every day I take a jar’s worth out to them, then fill it back up and start again so they have a constant supply. They’d happily gobble up way more than that but it’s all I have room for in my small kitchen.
I love the thought of sprouting for chickens. I will have to try it.
I have sprouted seeds for myself but never thought of giving them to my chickens. I will be trying this to see how they like them. It would have to be a real pick me up seeing they have no greenery to eat during the winter.
I have been sprouting wheat, but not broccoli!
I have never tried sprouts, but after reading the article it sounds like a great idea.
I’ve never used sprouts for my girls before, but my mother-in-law has. She says they love them! I would love to give it a try!
I’ve been interested in sprouting seeds for my own enjoyment but never thought of doing it to supplement the flock’s food before!
I love the idea of sprouting for the flock, and sprouts are great for people, too!
No, but it sounds intriguing!
I haven’t tried sprouting any seeds yet, but it’s been on my radar as something to try for my family. I hadn’t thought of it as food for chickens, but I can see how it would be a great addition to their diet as well.
I have never tried it but I would like to!! Our chickens would be happy! Please enter me in the mercola.com sprouting tray giveaway 🙂
I love sprouting organic wheat for the girls. They love it. I hadn’t thought about the broccoli sprouts…but I myself LOVE! the radish sprouts because they pack a little heat. Perfect for salads or sandwiches.
I sprout mung beans and wheat for my flock of 20 girls during the winter months. and grass clippings during the summer. unfortunately I can’t allow them to free range any more! I have too many predators around our property. I really want to fence in an area for them. but it wont happen any time soon, no spare cash!
anyway I currently use a 5 gallon bucket and a colander with a lid to do the sprouting , as I am feeding the finished sprouts in the colander to the girls I’m soaking the next batch in the bucket with the finished sprouts on top with the lid to keep in the moisture!
I haven’t tried sprouts, yet!
This is something I’ve thought of trying for a long time. Good to see that someone is having such good results with it!
interested in trying this what a great idea for my girls, should break up the dreary winter days
would like to try this sounds like a great idea
Wow greens for my birdies. I see nothing but snow now and this is a good idea for nutrition in the winter better than baled alfalfa from the horse farm scraps.
Sprouts are fed twice per day — it is something we do for the girls and ourselves – enhanced nutrition. Excellent idea —
Would like to give a tray a try… have used various containers, would like to simplify…
Gee, I haven’t grown sprouts since my “hippy days.” I THINK it’s time I treat my ladies to broccoli, alfalfa, and sunflower sprouts!
I do more sprouting in the winter and just love it. I have a variety of seeds and have done sprouting in jars mostly. I own a small franchised quick serve restaurant and brought a jar of my sprouts to work. One of my 24 yr old workers loved sprouts but knew nothing about growing them. I emptied my jar and shared them with her, then brought my seed variety for her to choose which ones she would like to grow. Sent the new experience home with her to do the daily rinsing. Today she is bringing them back to work to set in the window for greening up a little. Gotta pass this knowledge on to the next generation. Now she knows how easy it is to grow your own sprouts.
Eileen–You are the winner of the mercola.com sprouting tray!! If you will send your contact information to me at customer service@greencirclegrove.com, I’ll send your prize right out. Congratualtions!!!
Correct email–customerservice@greencirclegrove.com
This is my first winter with my flock and I have been trying to give them a variety of healthy treats to keep them strong during our brutal winters here. I have been thinking of trying my hand at sprouting seeds for them!
I have done sprouts for many years, never thought to share with the girls. Will have to try the broccoli sprouts!
dont have chickens, but we do have rabbits! Will try some sprouts.
Going to try sprouting for hens. Thank you.
No, I have not tried sprouting, but have been doing a lot of reading up on the subject!! I have quinoa and black oil sunflower seeds I am planning my trial on!! Thanks for the giveaway!!
I know I like sprouts, it’s a great idea!
I’d love to win! No chickens here….yet….but sprouts on salads are delicious!
I have never sprouted before, but would love to start. Winning the trays would help me to get started. My chickens would love for me to win!
Been wanting to acquaint myself with someone who grows sprouts. I basically have a green thumb with starter plants but have never tried to start plants from sprouts. This would be so great for me. Thanks.
I have read about sprouting greens for the girls but never tried it. Sounds really easy, maybe now I will go ahead and give it a try!
I do sprouting for our girls during the winter months. They go gonzo over them! I’ve sprouted wheat, alfalfa, mung beans and clover seeds. They really love the mung beans. I bought some sets of inexpensive store brand disposable food containers with lids, poked some holes in the bottom for drainage in one and set it inside another one without holes. I put in 1/4 cup of seeds and soak them for 24 hours, then lift out the inner tray and rinse and drain. Put the lid back on and rinse the same way every 12 hours until they’ve grown enough for me to feed to the hens, usually a week or so. The wheat I let grow a bit in a window or under my plant light so they green up like young grass for them. I do this until early spring when the growth picks up again outside.
Please enter me in the mercola.com sprouting tray giveaway, it’ll allow me to grow more sprouts for my girls every week!
I’ve never sprouted for the chickens, but I do have a set of dusty sprouting lids tucked away. I think I’ll pull them out and try!
What a great idea! The girls would love fresh greens without having to walk in snow!
And I love sprouts too!! Got to give this a go!
I’m going to try this. Thanks!
Have always wanted to try to grow sprouts for our girls!!
Please enter me for the Mercola tray. I have sprouted broccoli for myself before.
How many sprouts do you prepare for your flock ? … I have 50 hens and wondered how many seeds I would need to sprout to make an impact on there health and to make sure that there was enough to go around …. wouldn’t want any of the girls to be left out! Do you give the sprouts to the flock each day or only occasionally?
Everyday! As much as they will eat. Like any food, you will have to start with a certain amount and increase or decrease until you find the right amount. Remember, initially they will likely only eat a small amount, and increase consumption as they get used to it. Vary the types of sprouts (alfalfa, wheat, barley, peas, etc.) in a mixture to give them variety, as well as still providing small amounts of scratch/layer. Also think about providing fermented feed too.
Sprouts/fodder/fermented feed provides 80% digestibility vs 30% with grain.
Sprouts/fodder provide 8 times (800%) the volume of grain.
Sprouts/fodder provide twice the protein of grain.
Fermented feed provides essential digestive probiotics, and boosts protein content by 12%.
The other benefits to using fermented feed:
Feed consumption and waste will drop by 1/2 to 3/4 (this will save you money)
Poultry on a diet of fermented feed are generally healthier and less likely to contract disease
There is almost zero waste as chickens don’t scratch through it, kicking it out of the feeder
Stools become more solid and many people report less smell in the coop and run!
Egg yolks of eggs laid by hens on fermented feed will become noticeably larger, and shells will be more solid.
http://www.gardenbetty.com/2013/05/why-and-how-to-ferment-your-chicken-feed/ and http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/p/fermented-feed.html
I have never fed my chickens sprouts and would love to try. Will eat them myself also. Thanks for sharing this info.
I am very interested about this venture. Would really love to try this as I have always tried to give my girls what they like and what is good for them.
I be been reading a lot lately on the advantage s of sprouts and have decided to try it out on my family, which includes my girls (hens). Having a source that is non GMO is just icing on the cake.
I would love to start sprouting as I have a lot of chickens! Thanks for the chance to win! I also have goats that would enjoy them also!
Have never tried but this sounds SO easy!!! Is it okay to give to them more than once a week? Thank you!
Never thought about this for my ladies…would love to give it a try though!
I would love to try this sprouted seed. I have read about for a few months, please enter me. I may just go purchase seeds too. Thank you for a lovely giveaway! xx
Sounds wonderful! Please enter me in the sprouting tray giveaway – Thanks!
I’d love to try these for my birds!
Please enter me in your mercola.com sprouting giveaway, I would love to start growing my own sprouts versus sharing a small $4 package of sprouts with my chickens, which is driving me to financial ruin.
I have yet to try sprouting seeds, and would love to try this for my chickens in the future! Also, it would be great for us in the garden in the spring as well, thanks for the tips!
Have not ever tried this but would love to win this and give it a try!
I would sprout all kinds of seeds/beans for consumption by my family and me. Thanks
I have been sprouting seeds for years and prefer alfalfa to the others, but that’s just a personal preference. However, I had never thought to feed them to my chickens! I just started two jars today one for them and one for me. It would be great to have a large tray since I’m sure they will make short work of them. I do use large trays to sprout my basil and cilantro seeds for the garden since I use so much of each of them. I also love the idea of making my own lids. I have 2 of the commercial ones and have used cheesecloth with extra jars, but it gets nasty quickly. I love sharing great tips!
Great idea!
I’ve never sprouted seeds but would love to try it.
I have only recently learned about sprouts for chickens. I have eaten them for years, but would love to try it out for my chickens.
I have soaked whole grains for my chickens and they gobbled them up. Just poked around out their regular feed after eating those 🙂 I was considering trying sprouts, too, and a tray would be a great way to go about it.
Great idea, my ladies would love this! Can’t wait to give it a try!
Please enter me in the giveaway! I’d really like to try this. Thanks.
I have grown sprouts for my family in the past, but never thought to feed it to our chickens. Love the idea of these greens for them this winter!
i have been sprouting fenugreek this winter. they do not seem to mind the cold as it is 43 to 48 in the sprouting environment. thanks for the drawing.
I was wanting to start sprouting for myself and for my hens. Broccoli sprouts can ward off all sorts of diseases, Cancer and diabetes. I think its a great idea for your hens too!!
I never thought of this, I sprouted broccoli for my husband as he is going through CA treatment. It is a marvelous natural way to get all sorts of nutrients. I also read on Mercola.com that he uses soil for his “sprouts” and they even get more nutrients. I would like to try that one. The more the healthier AND….my chickens would gain the nutrients as well, I have meat and egg layers, what a prize for the meat layers EH????
I am growing whey grass for my chickens this winter and they love it! I would like to try broccoli sprouts for them!
I have never sprouted seeds myself but would love to try for my chickens and my gardens. The winters are cold and dark and the “girls” don’t get out much so this would be a nice treat for them. Also, this is only our second year having a garden so I wouldn’t mind sprouting my own seeds to plant.
I’ve sprouted seeds both for eating and in plugs for planting in my garden. I always seen to sprout more seeds for my garden than I can plant in the spring so the extras go to the chickens. Wow! Do they love those. However, I hadn’t tried sprouting seeds in the winter for the hens but I am going to the kitchen right now and starting a batch of sprouts for them.
I’d love to win the sprouting tray so that I could sprout a big batch of seeds at one time. The little girls never seem to get enough greens until the spring when all of the growth occurs in their LARGE chicken yard.
I have been wanting to try this. Thanks for the chance to win.
We have been sprouting wheat, rye, barley, oats, mung, lentil plus others for years which are then fermented. A nutrient dense gut friendly feed. Once you start – you are hooked – a scoop for the girls and a scoop for you —
I am just learning the plants to grow fodder for chickens and the other farm animals. This article was great. Please enter me in the giveaway. My animals & I would love to win this and be healthier too.
Have been sprouting mung beans and lentils for some time now and our flock loves them . Have been using the wide mouth jar method and would like to try the tray system and different seeds to sprout .
I would love to use the larger sprouting tray for my girls vegies.
I grew fodder for my chickens last year, but I kept getting mold. I think part of the reason for that may have been that my homemade sprouting trays didn’t allow for enough drainage. I like to use fodder to supplement their winter diet since that don’t get much green stuff to eat. It can really cut back on their feed consumption and save money, plus it’s a lot more nutritious for them.
Great idea! I will try this with my flock. Thanks for sharing.
I would love to try this for my babies.
Please enter me in the contest.
please delete my second entry, didn’t see the first and thought it didn’t make it through. sorry.
We love sprouts and any thing that makes it easier to grow would be welcomed in our home.
Love sprouts and would love to have this end up on my door step.
My spoiled hens would love these treats! Please enter us in this give away.Thank you.
I haven’t sprouted seeds in a coon’s age! Thanks for reminding me of all the benefits. My 25 girls (& boys) are always looking for a treat and this would be perfect…
I have never grown sprouts but it would be worth trying.
I have grown sprouts for my cats and myself but would love to do this for George and the girls! Makes perfect sense.
I would like to try this since in the winter months I don’t have any green grass growing or very many kitchen scraps. So this would be a good supplement. And to what chicken don’t like something green especially in the dead of winter.
I recently started sprouting seeds both for my family and my girls. I have tried a variety of types and the girls enjoy them all. I too only buy non GMO, Organic seeds.
Been growing fodder for many years for all of my animals. Fodder is nothing but a larger mat of sprouts grown in trays. Don’t waste your money on those little packages of “sprouting seeds”, but go to your local farm/feed store and you can buy them in bulk for pennies; you can buy a variety of brassica, spinach, mesculin, mustards, etc. which all do well as sprouts or fodder.
Choose the seeds that do NOT have fungicides on them, the store “clerks” can tell you which ones.
I haven’t gotten any chickens yet, but this would be a great idea for them as well as us.
Shared sprouts with my finches. Chickens will love them
I would like the sprouts for my own table.
I sprout lentils and barley for my chickens and they love it!
wow thank you that’s just to cool .We have peacocks and I’m going to
try this for them…..and ducks , chickens , turkey , goose .
I love farming it keeps me young.
Gotta try it for my hens, and other seed spouts, too! Hope I win that tray. Thanks for the article. Jean
Our ladies love sprouts. Alfalfa especially. Always organic. They like the broccoli sprouts as well, try also radish sprouts for zippy tasting eggs.
Last summer I grew lots of marigolds for my girls. I hadn’t thought of growing sprouts but will give it a try. Over winter I give them whatever peelings I have from carrots and left over salads and veggies when we have them. They absolutely love wild bird seed, and dry bread which I cube for them. I am sure our birds will love the sprouts. Would love to win the sprouting tray sounds like a great deal.
Love sprouts.
Live in a town that does not allow backyard chickens, otherwise I would try this.
Joe
I’ve never grown sprouts, but have a feeling my hens would love the fresh greens, since they so enjoy pecking around in the grass and the gardens.
Never thought of sprouts for the girls, would love to try it!
I have sprouted seeds for myself and husband…purchased from My Patriot Supply. Had not thought about sprouting seeds for ‘the girls’. I would love a sprouting pan. I have small plastic stacked trays. I suppose using the glass mason jar would work well.
During the summer, I grew spinach for my flock of quail. I thought I’d have to wait until spring to provide fresh greens, it never occurred to me to do sprouts! Great idea!
I recently read about sprouting for the hens and want to try it. They are desperate for green food and are always eyeing my house plants through the window.
I recently read about sprouting for the hens and want to try it. They are desperate for green food and are always eyeing my house plants through the window.
I haven’t tried sprouting yet but have been considering getting started. Would love this awesome giveaway to get started.
Wonderful Idea. Would relieve me from buying organic produce each week>>>
I have done this same method with black oil sunflower seeds and they turn out great and my flock loves them too!
Another great idea to add to the winter “arsenal!” My lot get an occasional cabbage hung up for them to peck at (since it’s swinging and spinning, nobody gets to monopolize it, and it keeps them busy when it’s cold and snowy and they don’t want to go outside). Another thing I do is dry, rake up, and bag lawn clippings–every few days in the winter, I toss a few handfuls around the coop. It smells wonderful, the chickens love it (scratch around and eat it), and it adds to the bedding and eventual compost.
I have sprouted wheat and oats. The chickens eat it all including the seed mat that forms since these are grains. It gives you a feeling that you are doing something good when you can give them green food in the winter.
Thanks for the wonderful idea! I never thought to give them to my chickens, but in the future I will! Please also enter me into the contest. Thanks.
mark
I love sprouts for myself, never thought of my hens.
Looks so easy! I have tried growing fodder (unsuccessfully) last summer. I am planning another attempt using barley this time. Thanks for the info.
I’ve sprouted field peas for my hens. They would pick through their feed and leave the peas, so I sprouted some for them and they gobbled them up! Thank you for the chance to win the sprouting equipment.
I would love to try this for my girls!
My rabbits would love sprouts too!
I would love to win and it would be a great treat for my ducks. Thanks for all the great information as well.. Hope you had a Happy New Year.
All I can say is…”Duh”! Why didn’t I think of that?! I always feel bad for the chickens in the winter. I would love to do this with my kids for our peepers!
We sprout field peas for our chickens & pigs. We do it pretty much the same way that you do your broccoli sprouts. Our chickens & pigs go crazy for them. It’s more healthy for them & gives them the vitamins & minerals that they need along with their food. We even eat the sprouts ourselves for a meal once in awhile. We try to eat healthy so we figure our animals should too. Please enter me in your giveaway.
this is my third winter for sprouting.I sprout for my hens.They devour them in no time.
I’m anxiously awaiting my delivery of alfalfa seeds and wheatgrass seeds so I can begin sprouting for myself and family. I don’t have chickens per se but I’ll enjoy them with my family brood.
I’m anxiously awaiting for my delivery of alfalfa
I haven’t done anything like this before and it looks complicated if I won this maybe it would show me that it wasn’t
I live in Ontario and in the winter, we don’t have enough green veggies for ourselves or my chickens. I am hoping to start doing fodder on a five shelf steel rack with hard mesh shelving so I can feed everyone. Your sprouts and trays look exactly like what I need. I would love to win!
Thanks Mercola!!!
I’d love to be able to win this for my dad who works with a farmer in the area to raise chickens every year! OR my mom and I have done a garden the past two years so it would be interesting to see how planting sprouts ahead of time differs from planting the seeds directly.
Thank you for this great opportunity!
That’s so cool. My chickens will love this & it’s so simple to do, too
I so want to try this.
Sprout for my family and our flock, on the kitchen counter top. Now getting crowded, as the birds are increasing their competition for the days allotment. : ) So, outside with the “girls” fodder, and into our small hoop shelter. Thanks for all your great ideas and for sharing them with all of us.
Thank you for the great idea to grow sprouts! I’m ready to do it now
Never thought about doing broccoli sprouts. Love the idea for my girls (and me:).
I grew wheat berry sprouts for my girls and they wouldn’t eat them, picky little things! Just a couple of months ago I grew some broccoli sprouts for me and decided to share with my girls. They ate the broccoli sprouts after a couple of days. It seems that they are not too fond of sprouts of any kind, however, I am so please enter me in the contest. I’d love to have the sprouting tray!
i started sprouting a couple of months ago and it had never occurred to me to sprout for my girls…OMG, I bet they would just love it!!! Thanks for the idea and I would certainly use this great tray if I happen to be the winner 🙂
I’ve not considered sprouts for our chickens. I have enjoyed sprouts occasionally. But, if the chickens like this, than I will get some going for them!
Cheers,
izzi~avis
I never tried sprouting anything. I had my chickens less then a year and I`m always on lookout for different/better things to try to make them more healthy/happy. This sounds like a great idea and it`s sounds simple and easy. I would like to enter in the giveaway. Thank you.
THANKS ALWAYS GOOD TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW. PLEASE ENTER ME IN THE MERCOLA.COM
SPROUTING TRAY GIVEAWAY.,
What a splendid idea!! never dawned on me to treat myself of my flock of 22 hens to sprouts this time of year. As avid salad eaters in my house, a splendid idea. We live in west central MO and it has been very cold. I use the home made suet cakes and the girls ju st love them. Sometimes I water them with warm water and mix some feed, pepper flakes from my garden, raisins and oats or scratch and they bomb the bowls 🙂
This sounds so easy. Aren’t some of the best things easy!!
Thanks so much for another great idea for the flock. I also use garlic powder, DE, kelp powder and flax seed mixed up with the regular feed.
I’ve been growing red clover sprouts for my chickens for several years now and am enjoying bright yellow/orange yolks all winter long. I bought broccoli seeds and will try them next.
Sounds fun. I would love to try it
Please enter me to win!
For chickens I might, for certain I will
given the chance, we’ll climb that hill!
I have never grown sprouts but tried growing catnip grass for my cats. We don’t have chickens at this time but were talking about getting some. We would use the sprouts in sandwiches and salads. Thanks for the giveaway.
I too give my girls greens during the winter., but I give them vetch that I overwinter. They wait patiently for me to come into the coop and spread it around. Even the guys are less agressive with me and the ladies when the greens arrive!
I have sprouted lentils in the past, and the girls loved them. I like the idea of sprouting in trays rather than a jar, seems easier to cut the mat and feed in chunks!
I’ve never done sprouts before but what an easy and fun thing to do with my children for my feathered children!! Thanks!! We will definitely try this!!
sprouting is a great idea for chickens! We are in the process of buying a hobby farm and chickens are my first animal to add so winning this giveaway could start this new adventure out right!
My wife sprouts for herself and we are going to sprout for rabbits. I had never considered sprouting for the chickens or quail but there is no snow here, so they have fresh foraging greens year round.
Wow! I haven’t even thought of giving them sprouts! What a great idea. I do have some crazy picky hens but if one of them decides to eat something they all will because they are afraid someone will get something they don’t have. I would love to win those sprouting trays, in the meantime I will clean out a few jars.
This is just perfect for me (salads) or treats for the chicks.
Easy & fun to use especially by children.
What a super idea, my chicks love fresh greens and this would make it sooo easy…
I need this sooo much my girls were laying till it got really cold and nothing in the garden or yard was left untouched by a deep blanket of snow!! I will try this whether I win the sprouting tray but it would be easier with it I’m sure
I have never grown sprouts for our chickens, but your article has inspired me to do so. I do not know very much about sprouts, so, any help would be appreciated.
Wow, this kit will be far easier and less time consuming than sprouting in a jar. I already have a window sill picked out for it.
I have never tried sprouts for my girls. Are there other kinds that would be good for them?
I have been researching sprouts for my chickens and rabbits. I went to town earlier today to start looking for the materials to get started but I couldn’t find the things I need. This would be a great way to start!
I would love to try sprouting. Thanks for the idea!
Message*i am getting my first chickens in spring and can use all the help I can get to keep them happy and healthy.
What an interesting article! I must share with my granddaughter for her chickens. Just proves the sprouts are as good for the hens as it is for us humans. Thanks.
I have grown sprouts before and LOVE them! Radish and alfalfa sprouts are my favorites, but I’ve never tried broccoli before……This would be an awesome win!
Would love to win the sprouting trays. I’ve never made sprouts for the ladies but I am certain they (and I) would enjoy trying them.
I’ve grown cover crops for the garden & deer that my hens enjoyed, but never sprouted seeds like this. Would love to give it a try!
Meredith,
Just to be clear, is step 1 the only step with the two hour soak or do you do it again in step 2?
My husband has been telling me about your web site for a couple of years. We are trying to move into a rural area so we can once again have our own flock. Since we’ll want optimal health for our chickens this is one thing we have talked about trying. You make sprouting sound do-able. Thank you for your help.
I have never done this. Sounds like a great idea for our girls. Please enter me in the mercola.com sprouting tray giveaway. Ty!
I’ve thoughts of doing something like this, but wasn’t sure of the best way how.
I have gone to sort of the opposite end of the spectrum and fermented grains for my ladies. Think I will try the sprouts also.
I have seeds sitting on my counter that I keep meaning to try sprouting. I would love to try this.
I have tried sprouting and growing fodder but have not had much success. Maybe this system will work better.
I hate to throw anything away. In case there are nutrients in the rinse water, I put it in the waterer for my girls. Especially in the winter, there is no problem with it going bad. My girls see me coming with goodies for them. They are always excited to see sprouts!
I would love to try sprouting these for my chickens.
Would love to try this. I do mung bean sprouts in a jar and my girls love them. I understand if you use the tray, you end up with a mat of sprouts. That sounds fun!
Yes, I have sprouted grains before, both growing to the “fodder stage” and just a 2-day soak. I currently use oats, black oil sunflower seeds, wheat, whole peas, triticale, barley, etc for my chickens, rabbits & ducks, which I soak in a 5 gallon bucket for 24hrs, rinse, soak for another 12-24 hrs before feeding. I used to also feed lentils, and they loved them, but they were expensive, even buying bulk in a 25# bag! For the same reason, I haven’t tried broccoli sprouts before, simply because I would need buy broccoli seeds in bulk to feed my flock of chickens. I’m hoping to eventually return to sprouting, using a more efficient design that requires less time watering each day.
As for the “sprouting tray” giveaway, I could use those trays for many things – growing the sprouts into fodder, if I get a metal shelfing unit. Or, for starting plants indoors, as I use that type of tray to either fill with soil or as a liner to prevent any water from spilling. In previous years I have started broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, etc. I have yet to figure out what exactly I’m starting indoors this year, since we recently moved.
I recently bought some spouting seeds, but have not sprouted them yet. Thanks to your article, I am motivated to get them going!
I have not tried sprouting before but will do so now. Sure hope that I win the sprouting tray giveway.
It is never too late to learn new things.
Looks like fun! My 8 chickens love when I pick the “sprouts” under the bird feeder or newly planted annual rye grass to feed them. I would love to try a sprouting tray to give them (& me) more sprouts on a regular basis.
I used to sprout using jars about forty years ago.l This sounds like a wonderful way to start sprouting again for not only humans.
Always looking for something to add as treats and this sounds awesome. Would love to win!
Looks very easy— even could get the kids involved for a science lesson!!
I’ve never used sprouts but my girls (and boys) get corn and fresh vegetables and fruit daily.
Last winter I sprouted some wild bird seed mix for my chickens and they loved it! This year I have a lot of lentils and they are sprouting great, plus they are full of protein! I’ve used jars before with some cheese cloth over the opening held on with a rubber band. I’m lucky enough to have some sprouting trays this time and love them. Can always use more though! 😉
I would love to win these! I’ve been reading about growing sprouts for the chickens but haven’t had a chance to try it.
Thanks! I have been interested in trying sprouts (but I was thinking barley for my chickens and horses.) However, my chickens do have free access to alfalfa, which meets their continual need for greens.
I’ve never tried sprouts, but I do use pumpkins for my flock. I grow pumpkins every summer then bring them inside and store in my kitchen and dinning room, then once it gets cold put them out for my chickens. The chickens love them, and if they get rained on it doesn’t make them go bad as normal chicken food does when it gets wet. The pumpkins are also full of vitamins and I get really shinny feathers when I put them out.
Thanks, and please enter me in the give away
This is my first year with chickens. I haven’t sprouted grains for the girls yet, but am hoping to next winter. Never heard of sprouting broccoli! Love the idea of some fresh “greens” for the chickens in the middle of all the dreary winter weather.
I am just in the planning stage of getting and setting up for chickens. I am so happy to find all this helpful advice and know-how. I think this would be a great habit for this new Mother Hen to give to her girls.
We plan on doing stouts this spring! We love them! Have not given 5hem to the chickens or ducks yet but I’m sure they will live them added to their daily greens! We feed them spinach kale mandarin oranges and Peas in a water bowel daily all enjoy it!
Just getting started. Willing to try anything once.
I’m new to raising chickens and never have done the sprouts thing. Please enter me in the giveaway.
I’ve never given sprouts to the girls and boy, but I have picked fresh clover in the summer and froze it in plastic zip locks to use in the winter. I’ve also dried it and crumbled in their food. Probably not the top nutritious plan but they all seem to like it.
Years ago with my children we sprouted mung beans for out dinner table. Just a few days ago I put some in a jar to sprout not thinking of sporting specifically for my flock of 31. I know they will love a treat like this. I think I will try sporting a handful of wild bird seed for them. Last fall I
planted a 4×4 cover crop if wild bird seed. When I turned them into the area adter two months they were delighted!
I have 17 chickens approx 4-5 yrs old and would love to provide them with sprouts to help them stay healthy and feeling spry.
I don’t have chickens here, but I do have wild quail that I feed all kinds of kitchen cuttings… all appreciated by these darling little birds… And, I would love to include the sprouts in my own diet and would also include in my dog’s food… Sounds really like a needed boost in the winter! Would love to win the sprouting trays! A “win-win” deal! Thank you!!!
Loved that this subject came up just after I recently read info on how broccoli sprouts are so incredibly healthy for us. And then……your article appeared. Love it!
Well, not only am I going to sprout some for me and my husband, but I know my 8 hens will go crazy over them. They love anything that looks like a worm. Not sure my retrievers will reap the benefits of the sprouts though.
I’d love to win the tray and I’m familiar with Mercola.com – so I can get the “good” seeds from there. Many thanks!
I did grow some wheat grass for my chickens but have never done sprouts. Would love to have the trays to make it easier, and try some other seeds for them and me.
Such a great idea for my chickens and my salads too. Thank you for the review. What is difference between sprouts and just using regular vegetables that are just started
Such a great idea for my chickens and my salads too. Thank you for the review
Thank you for the giveaway. I have been thinking about sprouting for my chickens and rabbits. Hope I win because that will give me no excuse not to do it.
never tried sprouting seeds for the hens but will be checking it out.
Sprouting seeds would be a great idea to add to the winter kitchen scraps.
PS:
I am having surgery January 20. I will not be home to check this web page to see the winner.
Is there any other option?
I have sprouted wheat for my hens. I’s cheap and easy.
We use to sprout some type of bean but we stopped as it was a lot of work cleaning the hull off of them after sprouting but I think using seeds in a jar would be much easier and you can watch them grow!!
We’ve sprouted for ourselves, but I’ve never thought of doing it for chickens! I’m sure they would enjoy the fresh greens!
my chickens love greens I plant seeds along there pen on the out side in the summer and they eat then all summer long. it would be great to have this to do in the winter too. they would love it. be easier then jars I use at times
Would love this sprouting tray – I am not having good luck trying to sprout them on my own.
I’ve read about sprouting before, but never tried it. If you need to wash the sprouts, drain them, and keep them in the dark, how do you do that using the tray?
I’m certain my birds would love some ‘greens’ in the cold, bitter winter here. It was -28° this morning at 5 AM….and that is not windchill but real temp!
I’ve grown sprouts for me, but not for my chickens. I’ve been thinking about sprouting barley for a while now, but haven’t had a chance.
We, too, have used sprouts (oats and sunflower seeds) to supplement “The Ladies” food in winter. Not only do their feathers seem shinier, eyes brighter, and no illness as you mentioned in your review, but it also seems to minimize the impact that the shorter sunlight days of winter have on them. They still gift us eggs.
I never thought about sprouting for my chickens! What a great idea, I know they will love it. I like the idea of the trays, it would be more space efficient than lots of jars in my already very small kitchen :).
I haven’t done sprouts, but our hens and peacocks sure love cole crop scraps from the garden.
I have used sprouts, but only for my eating. I’m thinking alfalfa sprouts might be a nice treat for my little flock.
I started sprouting mung beans for my chicks a few years ago. They got so used to it that there would be a feeding frenzy every time I got near the coop. I used a plastic coffee container and loosly put a 1$ strainer on the top. I’d change the water often and when they seemed big enough, I’d put out for the girls. I would have 3-4 going at a time so it was continuous.
Would love to sprout seeds for my girls!! (Including my wife ) she has been asking me about them for a year now. This would be a great surprise. Thanks
I would love to try this for my chickies
Thank you for sharing! I’ve been wanting to try sprouts for both myself and my chickens, this method looks very easy, I’ll have to try it soon!
Have been thinking about trying to sprout for my girls for awhile now. Thanks for the article and the incentive.
I haven’t used fodder before but would love to try it.
We have grown fodder for our 24 chickens; we grew it from wheat. They love it. They also love all the greens from the garden during the summer months.
I have been wanting to try fodder for my chickens for awhile now and this might be my kick in the pants to get started!
We began collecting chickens of various breeds just over a year ago. Our flock has grown to 100 + chickens. My husband calls them his girls and pampers them like they were house pets. Last summer we gave the scraps from various green vegetables we grew. I never thought about growing sprouts for them but after reading your article, I am going to give the broccoli sprouts a try. A sprouting would definitely make it easier!
I’ve been sprouting mung beans for my chickens since last winter. They love them! I love providing them some fresh greens to keep them healthy through the cold winter when all outside is frozen.
I would love to win this sprouting tray giveaway! I have been very interested to try sprouting!
I pick fresh green grass where I can find it for my girls . I am definitely going to do the sprouts. They’ll die and think they went to chicken heaven!
We have just started fodder for our chickens & rabbits, & how they love it..
Also started for ourselves strouts. They are very tasty & have notice we
are not as hunger after eating them. Makes a great snack.
I have fed my hens sprouts and they love them. But the sprouting box I have is very small. I like the idea of larger ones. Please enter me in the giveaway. Plus, I’m a subscriber to Dr. Mercola’s newsletter.
I’m new to raising chickens but we do plant a very large garden every year. So I will be sure to let the chickens pick the garden this summer along with attempting to grow the sprouting tray for them . Please enter me in the contest. Thank you very much!
have always wanted to do sprouts but never knew how my girls well love them
I am new at gardening, and this would be another great learning experience.
Every week when we go to get groceries, we buy the biggest head of cabbage.
I put an eye bolt in the stem, hang it in the chicken house and it takes 17 chickens 2 days to peck it clean
Although it has been about 30 years since I have tried sprouting seeds, I may try again. Plus, I have cancer and think the sprouts would benefit me as well as the chickens. Thanks for the article.
I’ve sproted broccoli for me, but I didn’t think of trying it with my chickens-now I have a new project! And do please enter me into the Mercola sprouting tray giveaway!!
I would love to try this. Always looking for new ideas.
Great idea! Thanks for sharing.
I’m inspired to sprout for myself and my pet birds!
Never tried it but would like to give it a go
I have never sprouted anything but it looks very interesting –I’m sure my chickens would love it!
I have not sprouted before, but it looks interesting to try. I am assuming that I can also eat these broccoli sprouts, is that correct? Please enter me in the sprouting tray giveaway.
I have not sprouted before, but it looks interesting to try. I am assuming that I can also eat these broccoli sprouts, is that correct? Please enter me in the sprouting tray giveaway.
My New Years resolution is to give my flock (family that is!) more sprouts. I kinda got away from the healthy habit. Time to dust off all those sprouting lids!
this is great. thank you
I would love to try growing sprouts. Just don’t know where to start.
I love sprouts & would love to try this on my chicken friends & myself 🙂
Haven’t sprouted, but would love to try it. Don’t have chickens of my own either, but visit with friends that have some, & believe they will be most interested when I show this to them.
I am interested in your offer .
I live in the desert so I’m always trying to find ways to give fresh greens to my 10 lovely ladies. This would be perfect for us! Thanks for the great idea.
I’ve never tried sprouting, but it sounds like a wonderful way to supplement their diet. I’d love to give it a try.
I never thought of using sprouts for the chickens! I do intend, once the weather warms up, to grow fodder for them. Have everything here to do it with but no place warm enough to set up the system! Sprouts would be a lot easier!
I want to grow sprouts for my chickens. Can’t wait to try it.
I’m down for expanding my gardening abilities. Sprouting seems logical to do.
I would like to give this a try for my chickens.
I have never grown sprouts, but I think it’s a great addition to my girls’ diet. Now I just need to get some seeds to start sprouting! Please enter me in the giveaway.
I have not used sprouts for my hens but now I will start, with or with out winning this!
I don’t have chickens yet but am learning as much as I can to start a flock in the spring.
if you have ever used sprouts with your flock, or how you do so
No, I haven’t but I am intrigued! I’m always looking for new things to try for the girls.
My chickens love Mung bean sprouts too. Our bowl is red for treats.
My girls love mung bean sprouts along with their whole wheat egg noodles.
I love sprouts. Need to try this!
I have been reading and reading about all the benefits of feeding sprouts to your hens, and I really want to do it. I have 26 hens and 3 roosters. But I’m afraid that figuring out how to start is what’s kept me from moving forward. I would love to win the sprouting trays so that I can finally dig into this wonderful resource for the girls!
I’ve read about this in a few different articles and am interesting in trying it for my chickens and ducks, and I bed that my horses and goats would love it too!
I have not sprouted before, but my girls would love this!
Are these viable for human consumption as well?
Crazy that I just started sprouting in jars for myself, and would be very interested in doing it for our girls too. I’m a big fan of green smoothies, but unfortunately, I have a problem with kidney stones. So after much research, found I could substitute my greens with sprouts and avoid the high oxalate found in spinach etc. So far I’m loving it and pretty sure our hens would too. I work hard to provide them grasses during the winter and the sprouts seem easier and even more healthier for them. Please enter me in the contest, as I have no growing trays.
I planted the pasture in rye grass this year. The chickens love it.
I have not sprouted yet…but, I have been contemplating it for some time! You have given me the impetus I needed to start! I would love to win! (Love Dr. Mercola and I got to hear him at a WAPF meeting in Dallas a few years ago. He was super!) Thanks!
I used to sprout seeds for myself but never thought about sprouting for my flock! Thank you! My girls will love it, especially now that the cold frozen earth makes foraging so difficult!
I would love to use this tray to sprout for my 22 chickens AND my terriers! Thanks for the offer and good luck everyone!
My mom used to grow alfalfa sprouts all the time. I’ve never tried it myself, but I will now! I’d love to be entered in the giveaway….thanks!
We sprout organic non-GMO wheat, rye, barley, oats, lentils, mung plus others. The sprouted mixture is then fermented in distilled with probiotics as starter. Stir the fermented sprouts for twice daily and after several days the mix is added along with some of the fermented juice to a home grown mash which is left to stew for eight hours or so. The girls get this twice daily – in return we get abundant incomparable eggs. We start feeding this mixture (sprout and mash) at about three weeks. Three day old chicks get the ferment juice mixed with their mash. One this we have noticed is they don’t go into a full strip down molt a few feathers here and there but nothing major. And the eggs keep coming – no let up. The question remains – can you burn out a chicken. I think a chicken is going to do what a chicken is going to do given its environment. Certainly what a chicken eats is a major part of their environment. The experiment continues —
I’ve never grew sprouts but would like to try.
I would love these. I haven’t sprouted anything yet and would love to sprout broccoli for my chicks this spring and do beans. Oh how I love bean sprouts but have bought them from the store.
i have not sprouted seeds but would love to try
i haven’t tried sprouting seeds, but it sounds like something i will try in the future
I would love to try sprouting for my chickens and for myself. Sounds like a very healthy way to add greens to the chickens’ diet during those cold winter months, and to my salads. Thank you so much for the tip, and directions for sprouting.
I have grown sprouts for my own use but never for my chickens. It sounds like a great idea and I can’t wait to try it. My hens love any treats and I bet the sprouts will really go over well. I do need the sprouting trays so pick me please.
I went to college during the ’70s and sprouts were all the rage…would love to try this again to grow some for my chickens (and maybe a few for my salad)…thanks
Sprout regularly in wide mouth jars(mung beans , lentils) and would like to try trays , our ladies love sprouts and am going to try sprouting broccoli , they love broccoli
Sprout regularly in wide mouth jars(mung beans , lentils) and would like to try trays , our ladies love sprouts and am going to try sprouting broccoli , they love broccoli
Sprout regularly in wide mouth jars(mung beans , lentils) and would like to try trays , our ladies love sprouts and am going to try sprouting broccoli , they love broccoli
I would love to try the sprouting trays. Thanks!
Would love to try sprouting seeds.
I confess, I’ve sprouted lots of seeds for me in my kitchen, but never thought to make a tray for my hens. I wonder if they would like my sprouted wheat? Hmmmm. Has anyone tried this grain with their ladies?
I would love to try this! Thank you!!!!
I can’t wait to try this for “MY GIRLS”, they are already so spoiled, it’s fun to share a little more love to them!! Please enter me in the sprouting tray giveaway. Thanks bunches!
I have never thought of sprouts for my chickens. I will be doing this.
I plant oats in the fall, it gives them a good source of greens during the winter. I’ll have to try them as sprouts.
I have been wanting to try sprouts for my girls. Please enter me in your contest. Thanks!
Please enter me I would love to try this for my girls.
Sounds like a great idea. Can’t believe I never thought of this.
Sounds like a great idea! I am getting chicks shortly and I shall try this!
I have tried these sprouting trays in the past for all my critters, goats, piggies, rabbits, and chicks. I sprouted wheat and barley. I seemed to have trouble with mold growing. I finally gave up.
I sprout for our birds and myself… We use jars and a small sprouting tray… I like using baby food jars since you can wash the jars out easier. Nice sprouting tray! It would work better than reusing the berry containers from the store!
Thanks for your great ideas!
I have not done any sprouting for my girls yet but have considered it many times. They get lots of things out of my gardens during gardening season but sprouts would be nice during the times the snow covers the ground. I have also considered sprouting on a bigger scale for my dairy goat girls. Thanks for getting my motivation kicked in again.
I have never tried this an am very excited to give it a try my girls will love it! THEY EAT ANYTHING!
I have done some sprouting in a make-shift jar – never had any professional equipment! I am hoping to get some chickens soon too!!!!!
I have been sprouting for a couple years, for us and my feathered babies. Chickens like them the most the ducks and geese are so so when I put it out there. The tray system would be awesome! I could do more at a time 🙂 Great giveaway!
I have sprouted for my family many times but never thought of giving it to my chickens. I’m going to start a batch right now for me and them!
I sprout for us, but have never thought of sprouting for the hens. Just what they need in the winter.
I sprout seeds for myself and actually have some about ready for me to eat (mung). I have sprouted alfalfa seeds but not broccoli. I do feed them to my chickens but a quart size jar is too small for 63 chickens. I’d love to be entered into the giveaway and obviously would love to win! Thanx for another great article on chickens.
we love sprouts as does our flock, 9 hens and 1 roo!!!
I have never tried but would love to
I have sprouted before and the girls loved it! just getting ready to try to do a set up for them to have sprouts regularly!
Thanks for the post and the offer! I have not sprouted much since we got chickens and ducks last spring. I’m happy to have the suggestion to give sprouts to the hens! I notice the picture you sent was for high mowing seeds. Is high owing owned by mercola? Thanks again!
Good question! All I could find about High Mowing Seeds is that it’s a Vermont based, independently owned farm organic seed company–I’ll keep digging.
I would love to try sprouting greens for my girls! It seems easier & healthier for them than the kale & lettuce I cut for them everyday… I am planning on planting beds of broccoli, lettuce, kale, and cabbage for them again this year— hopefully the girls will enjoy them before the local squirrels do!
My goodness yes…I sprout! My girls absolutely love the lentil sprouts best of all! Have 5 jars, sprouting on the kitchen drain board! Feed them regularly each day with bits of oatmeal, scrambled eggs & raisins. Spoiled? Definitely! I’d dearly love to win this “sprouting tool”!
Do you need to purchase a special kind of lentils? Or just from grocery store?
I’m dusting off my sprouting jars!!!
would bet my girls would LOVE these!!! thanks for the idea along with the opportunity to win some!!
I just got some seeds, I’m going to try this on Monday. Wouldn’t you want to leave them out exposed to light?
I’ve not grown my own sprouts yet, but I have been looking into it. I would love to get started and give my chickens something new to eat during winter months!
i’ve never sprouted before, but am very interested in learning how. my chicks free range, but during the winter there isn’t much in the way of greens for them to eat. so i think sprouts would fill in nicely. thanks…
I can ‘t have chickens where we live so we have quail instead 🙂 I have been feeding them sprouts for a few months now and they love them! So far they have had alfalfa sprouts, mung bean sprouts and a mix that includes alfalfa, broccoli clover and radish. It’s the least I can do for them since they give us such delicious eggs!
Planted some rye grass next to the coop my free rangers love it.
Hubby and I grow sprouts in the jar for ourselves, but I have a re-purposed cookie sheet that I grow wheat berries sprouted for the chickens. I’d love to expand that!
Well I have grown sprouts for myself but never given them to my girl’s only cause they are usually consumed by hubby and I. My girls do love all kinds of lettuces that I do buy especially for them; so I’m pretty sure they’d love these sprouts. If not, I’ll eat ’em! 🙂
Yes please!
Please enter me in the mercola.com sprouting tray giveaway. Sounds like a great idea!