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How to Grow Fodder, Sprouted Greens for Chickens

How to Grow Sprouted Greens in Trays Without Soil

Fodder refers to a mixture of sprouted grains and seeds, typically grown hydroponically, and it serves as a nutritious and cost-effective feed supplement for chickens. Growing fodder in trays without soil is known as hydroponic fodder production. It allows you to grow nutrient-rich grass or grains for your chickens in a controlled environment without the need for traditional soil.

Why Grow Fodder?

Nutritional Value: Fodder is highly nutritious for chickens. When grains like barley, wheat, or oats are sprouted, they undergo a transformation that increases their nutritional content. Sprouting increases the availability of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes, making the fodder more digestible to chickens.
Improved Digestibility: Sprouted grains are easier for chickens to digest compared to whole grains. This can lead to better feed conversion rates, which means chickens can convert the fodder into meat and eggs more efficiently.
Fresh and Green Feed: Fodder provides chickens with fresh, green feed, which is similar to their natural diet. This can enhance the overall health and well-being of the birds. Fresh feed can also boost egg production and improve meat quality.
Seasonal Flexibility: Growing fodder allows you to have a consistent source of green feed throughout the year, regardless of the season. This is particularly valuable in regions with harsh winters or dry summers when pasture quality is limited.
Enhanced Egg Yolk Color: Feeding chickens with green fodder can result in brighter and more vibrant egg yolks due to the higher levels of carotenoids present in the fresh green feed.
Supplemental Feed Source: Fodder is an excellent supplement in combination with commercial feed, this allows you to stretch your feed resources a little further.

It’s Easy! The Basics:

What You’ll Need

Fodder Seeds: Choose suitable seeds like barley, wheat, oats, or other grasses/grains that are suitable for your chickens. Check your local feed stores for bulk seeds. I bought wheatgrass seed at PowerGrowSystems.com
Trays: You’ll need shallow trays or containers with drainage holes to hold and grow the fodder. I like these trays for a small backyard flock, and they’re available on amazon HERE. Note: I prefer to not use the grate because it’s hard to remove the sprouts when ready to harvest. Instead, I drilled holes in the bottom tray and set it inside the clear cover on an angle to catch the water.


Watering System: A way to provide a consistent source of water to the trays, such as a misting system or manual watering.
Light Source: Fodder crops require light for photosynthesis. Natural sunlight or artificial grow lights can be used.
Temperature Control: Ensure the temperature is suitable for the selected seeds (usually around 60-75°F or 15-24°C). You can grow fodder indoors under a sunny window or under a grow light.
Ventilation: Adequate ventilation helps prevent mold and provides fresh air to the growing fodder.

Ready To Get Started?

Select and Soak Seeds: Choose high-quality fodder seeds. Soak the seeds in water for 8-12 hours to initiate the germination process.
Spread Seeds: Spread the soaked seeds evenly on the trays. The seeds should form a dense layer, but they shouldn’t be stacked on top of each other.
Watering: Water the seeds thoroughly to ensure they are evenly moist, but avoid waterlogging. You can use a misting system to keep the seeds consistently moist.
Light and Temperature: Place the trays in a well-ventilated area with access to light. If using artificial grow lights, ensure they are set at an appropriate distance to provide sufficient light and warmth.
Maintain Moisture: Check the trays regularly to ensure the seeds remain moist. Mist them as needed, but don’t let them dry out or become waterlogged.
Growth and Harvest: Depending on the type of seed and growing conditions, your fodder should be ready to harvest in 7-10 days.
Feed Your Chickens: Remove the harvested fodder and feed directly to your chickens. It’s highly nutritious and is a good source of fresh forage.
Repeat the Process: Rinse and repeat the process, starting with new trays of seeds, to maintain a continuous supply of hydroponic fodder.

It’s important to note that while growing fodder for chickens has numerous benefits, I wouldn’t consider it a replacement for all other types of feed. It’s essential to balance the diet to meet the specific nutritional needs of your chickens, especially if you are raising them for meat or egg production.
You can always adjust the process and conditions based on your specific requirements and the type of seeds you’re using.

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Never Use Diatomaceous Earth, Here’s Why

DE is Old School Practice, Today We Know Better

Using diatomaceous earth (DE) in your coop or in dust baths poses a threat to both you and your chickens, as it results in the continuous presence of dangerous irritant particles in the air. Diatomaceous earth (DE) serves no essential purpose, raises safety concerns, and proves ineffective for its claimed applications.

The primary concern with using DE is the fine dust that it creates when handled. When under a microscope, you can see that Diatomaceous Earth is fine and very sharp. Inhaling this dust is a lung and respiratory irritant, potentially leading to respiratory issues. I’m not just talking about this being a danger to your chickens, but to you as well. As you well know, there are always particles in the air when you are cleaning the coop, maybe from a windy day, or just from your birds scratching around looking for bugs. Once you lay down DE you are putting yourself and your birds at risk, even if you put shavings on top. If you’re wondering if food grade DE is safe, the answer is NO.
If you’re not concerned about lung and respiratory problems, the other issue with using DE is irritation to the skin and eyes, especially in the dry powder form.
So, if you’re going to use DE, I hope you don’t mind wearing a mask, gloves, and protective eyewear. And, if you don’t mind putting your chickens’ health at risk or wearing hazmat apparel when caring for your chickens, then go ahead and use DE… but you have been warned of the consequences.
Here’s What Another Chicken Keeper Says About DE:
The Cut & Dry Truth About Diatomaceous Earth By The Chicken Chick

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A Review, Humumu Chicken Nest Box

Wall Mount $109 – Amazon
With Legs: 8/2023 $129

Do I Love It? Yes! 🙂

“I chose the 3-hole nest box with legs rather than a wall mount. The unit is available in different sizes, sturdy, and very well made. The removable plastic nest box is a grate, and this was the selling point for me. I put artificial turf in my nest boxes; however, when I have an unwanted broody hen, I’m hoping removing the turf discourages this. The box itself has great airflow, which is perfect for climates with hot summers. ” – TBN Ranch

About the Humumu 3 Hole Nest Box

HUMUMU Chicken Nesting Box is designed specifically to provide clean, comfortable, safe, and covered laying space for hens, giving them a sense of security and increasing egg production. These durable, stable, and easy-to-assemble nesting boxes can be used long-term.
One of the biggest benefits of the HUMUMU Chicken Nesting Box is its slightly tilted design, allowing eggs to roll into the tray. This protects and cleans the eggs, making them easy to collect at any time. You can effortlessly obtain more high-quality eggs. We recommend placing some bedding under the egg box cover for additional egg protection.
These Nesting Boxes are different from any other nesting box on the market. They are made using high-quality materials for durability. Hot-dip galvanized stainless steel and highly durable ABS plastic ensure a long lifespan. Unique side-hole designs increase hen airflow and breathing ability.
The removable trays are easy to clean, and any other excess can be washed away with water by removing the trays.
Each package includes all the screws and nuts needed for assembly, as well as a bonus egg collection tray that can hold up to 12 eggs. Unit can be hung and dismantled easily with the key-shaped hanging hole and installed at a height of 18-22 inches above the ground.

Assembly Directions Were Unclear, So Here’s a Helpful Video…

Humumu 3 Hole Nest Box Set Up My Coop
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