Since it is winter, and the grass is not growing well in the coop, I decided to give sprouting grain inside a try. I found a couple posts on sprouting grain in mason jars, and since I have some empty jars with rings, and some extra aluminum window screen, I’m trying this method first.

I tried two types of grain: scratch and annual rye (again because that is what I had). I put 3-4 Tablespoons of seed in each jar and covered them with water. I fit a square of window screen to the top of the jar, folded over the edges so they wouldn’t be as pokey, and screwed down the lid. I let the seeds soak overnight, then tipped them over the sink to drain off the water. I rinsed the seeds twice a day and left the jars on their sides in a low tray to drain.

After three days the scratch was sprouted and I fed it to the chickens. They loved it!

After 5 days, the rye had formed a mat of roots with 2-3” blades of grass. The chickens were not so keen on this, but eventually ate it up.

I picked up a red cabbage at the store and hung it up for my chickens. They were dubious at first (of course, it is a new treat). I pulled off a leaf and they tried a bit, but I was not hopeful.

Apparently the red cabbage went over well, because when I went back out a couple hours later, half the cabbage was gone.

Interesting to note, that much cabbage turns their droppings teal. Huh.

The Halloween pumpkins have gone to the chickens.

My chickens love pumpkin. I made sure to get the pumpkins out to their coop before any mold set in. I hung the smallest pumpkin, and put the others up on the bench, just to keep them off the ground and out of the droppings. Within hours each pumpkin had a hole dug through the decoration into the guts so the chickens could reach the seeds. Now we have a pumpkin grave yard!