Poultry farmers have long sprouted wheat, which was later used as feed for chickens to increase egg production. In addition, this product improves the quality of eggs. Germination is mainly carried out in winter, because in the cold season, hens spend more energy on hatching and laying eggs than in autumn, spring or summer. Let's take a closer look at how to sprout wheat for chickens.
Important point
Before starting to consider the main issue, you should pay attention to the fact that if you feed your chickens only with germinated wheat, then this will not bring any benefit. Any animals and birds, especially “productive” ones, should receive different nutrients from a large list of products, just like humans. That is why you should think about drawing up a proper diet for your birds. All the substances that birds get from food should completely satisfy the need for laying hens, otherwise, instead of large eggs, you will get tiny.
The benefits of sprouted wheat
Before sprouting wheat for chickens, you should also familiarize yourself with the benefits of this product. It should be noted that even some people include healthy sprouted wheat in their daily diet. Such a grain helps birds accumulate energy potential. This is due to the fact that at a certain time of development, wheat accumulates a lot of useful things and elements, thereby bringing the greatest benefit to animals. Germinated grain, as a medicine, can cope with the following problems in chickens:
- Digestion problems.
- Small eggs.
- Low immunity.
- Weak muscle and skeletal system.
- Slow metabolism.
- Obesity poultry.
Possible harm
Before sprouting wheat for chickens, special attention should also be paid to the possible harm that comes from this product. However, this only happens if you overfeed the birds. The danger will be that the sprouted wheat accumulates a large amount of iron. Given the small mass of birds, an overabundance of this substance can provoke a deterioration in a wide variety of health indicators in birds. It is necessary to observe the measure while feeding chickens. It is believed that the maximum wheat in the daily diet should be no more than 30% of all products.
How to germinate wheat for chickens?
The good news for beginners is that germinating the grain will not require any special skills or special tools. Absolutely useful product can be obtained from simple grain by absolutely anyone. If you do not know how to germinate wheat for laying hens, then you should read the instructions below.
Grain selection
Germinated grains must necessarily be of high quality, because the properties of the formed sprouts from grains will directly depend on this. You can buy wheat in the market, in a store, in a country house. When purchasing this product, you need to check it for quality. Make sure that the cereal is free from impurities, has a golden dark brown or light brown tint. Do not save on your birds. Be sure that the increase in egg production in the near future will pay off all the money spent, while you will be calm for the health of your wards.
Soak the grain
So, how to sprout wheat for chickens when you have already bought? To do this, soak the grains in a deep container. However, water should not overflow from the tank. As containers you can use a basin, a bucket, a plastic bottle from under plain water with a carved top, a plastic bath and much more. However, experts do not recommend soaking in a metal container, since metal draws out all the useful substances.
How to germinate wheat at home for chickens further? Pour water into the container. If the grain was stored in a warm place, then the water temperature should be from 40 to 45 degrees. But if wheat has been in the cold for a long time, then all of it must be poured with hot water. Thanks to this, the grains will awaken from the cold. Please note that the final temperature of the mixture after adding hot water to cold wheat should be about 45 degrees.
Aging
We continue to consider how to germinate wheat for chickens in winter. The mixture that was obtained after mixing water and grain should be removed in a dark and warm room. The container is covered with a lid, left for 15 hours. At this stage of germination, nothing needs to be done.
Laying out
What to do next? How to sprout wheat for chickens in winter? When 15 hours have passed, the wheat must be removed from the container, put on a tray. If excess water has formed on the tray, it must be drained. Then take a clean, new tray, or spread the oilcloth on a surface that is protected from drafts and cold.
Grains are laid in such a way that the layer does not turn out to be too thick, otherwise the wheat will begin to rot. Next, they take a piece of fabric from natural fibers, moisten in warm, non-chlorinated water, and place the grains on top. Please note that the fabric must be periodically moistened so that it does not dry out.
The final stage
So, we have almost learned how to sprout wheat for chickens quickly. At the last stage, after 2 days of wheat under a moist tissue, it should give new sprouts. Some firms recommend to be patient for one more day so that they grow strong and long. However, this is not necessary. Here is a ready-made nutritious product that can be used to feed chickens.
However, pay attention to when the length of the sprouts is 6 mm, the farmer will improve the diet of birds due to the content of vitamin A.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that it is not recommended to soak a large amount of grain. The fact is that the germinated product can be stored for a long time. So that these precious and useful sprouts do not deteriorate, the finished grains are used for 2-3 feeding of birds.
When to give wheat to chickens?
If you are a caring owner, you can prepare such tasty and healthy food for your feathered stock throughout the year. But if you don’t have the strength and time to harvest germinated grains throughout the year, then you can add wheat to the diet only in the winter and autumn.
There are several recommendations for feeding chickens to such a useful product. Experienced farmers are advised to give the sprouted wheat to the birds in the evenings when they go to sleep. At the same time, grains should be poured onto a deep litter in the chicken coop.
There are many arguments in favor of day and night feeding of birds of germinated wheat. Some farmers claim that it is also necessary to feed chickens with germinated wheat during the day. After all, it is at this time of the day that hens eat the grain most actively, since they are constantly on the move and quickly feed their appetite.
In addition, it is recommended that chickens be given food during the day if they are overweight. Thus, they will not overeat at night. Consider this indicator if you grow these birds for slaughter.
Germination Benefits
What will change if the sprout of the green shoot in wheat? Dry grains contain starch and complex fats, which the body breaks down on its own, turning them into fatty acids and simple carbohydrates. A large amount of energy is expended by the body on this process, while not all substances will be absorbed.
In the case of germination of grain on their own at home, wheat produces within itself those processes that must be carried out by the bird's body. Thanks to this, the process of processing and obtaining nutrients by the chicken body is much faster and easier.
In addition to such transformations, wheat contains a large number of amino acids that are necessary for the proper functioning of the avian organism. These amino acids provide the strengthening of the immune system, accelerate the metabolic process that occurs in the body of chickens. A large number of minerals will provide support for the development of bone and muscle tissue, also affecting the size and size of eggs. Vitamins in wheat belonging to different groups will protect the laying hens from all sorts of diseases, regulate the hormonal background, and at the same time contribute to the acquisition or maintenance of stable oviposition.