When I first heard about growing the chicken forage blend for chickens to feed to my chickens, I thought what's the point?

They have grass - and weeds - and bugs.

Then I thought about winter or those really hot days when I have them locked in the small chicken yard.

There is nothing there but dirt because as all chicken owners know when you have 30-some chickens confined in a small area it doesn't take long to kill the grass off.

So, I went ahead and purchased a couple bags of Peaceful Valley Omega-3 Chicken Forage Blend.

I also bought some plastic trays to grow it in - and that worked fine this summer.

I could keep it growing indoors under grow lights but decided I would try sprouting some instead.

The growing time should be quicker and I won't have to worry about using soil to grow the seeds in.

So today, that is what I did.

I assembled my FreshLife Miracle Electric Sprouter, rinsed a few seeds from the Peaceful Valley Omega-3 Chicken Forage Blend bag, lined my sprouting tray with a single layer of paper towel (because the seeds wanted to fall through the holes) and plugged the unit in.

Within 2 to 3 days the seeds should be sprouted.

I am wondering if it will take that long since the seeds are really easy to sprout anyway.

Within a week I should have nice green growing sprouts to feed the chickens.

I am not worried about the paper towel because it should just fall off the seed sprouts.

If this works well my chickens will have fresh, green forage to eat at least once a week.

This should keep them healthy and happy plus possibly lower my feed bill.

It isn't that my chickens cost a lot to keep in grain but in this economy anything that can be done to lower expenses helps a lot.

In fact, depending on how well this "test sprouting" goes, I may find a way to up the production so they have fresh forage daily.

I took a quick video just so you could see how the FreshLife Miracle Electric Sprouter works.

Update: The chickens loved the sprouts.

I think I let them grow a little longer than necessary.

At first, when I set the sprouted grains out there the chickens were a little unsure.

They approached it carefully and then one took a peck at the green grass.

Several others quickly followed.

Within minutes the entire thing was gone.

Sprouting the grains is faster, easier and fills a need for fresh food for my chickens especially during the winter months when there is no grass.

I love this Peaceful Valley Omega-3 Chicken Forage Blend and so do my chickens.

In This Article

Why I Wanted to Grow Fresh Forage for My Chickens

The reason I tried sprouting the Peaceful Valley forage blend was practical. Chickens that have access to a grassy yard can scratch, peck and find a variety of things to investigate, but a heavily used run quickly becomes bare. Winter creates another challenge because fresh green growth is not always available. Growing a small amount of forage gives me another option for adding variety to their routine without depending on outdoor growing conditions.

I did not begin this experiment expecting sprouts to replace a complete poultry ration. Chickens still need an appropriately balanced feed and access to clean water. The forage is something extra that can make their environment more interesting and provide a different texture and type of food. When planning any feeding change, I think it is important to remember the difference between a supplement and the main source of nutrition.

Choosing a Method for Sprouting Chicken Forage

My first approach involved plastic trays and growing the seed blend in a more traditional way. That worked during the summer, but I wanted to see whether sprouting would be simpler. A tray of sprouts takes up relatively little space, and it does not require the same setup as growing plants in potting soil. For a household with limited indoor growing room, that is worth considering.

There are several practical things to think about before choosing equipment. A sprouting tray needs a way to drain, and the seeds must not sit in stagnant water. The container should be easy to clean between batches, and the growing area needs enough airflow to discourage unwanted growth. The size of the batch should match what your flock can reasonably eat while the sprouts are fresh. Growing more than you can use creates extra work and waste.

I used the FreshLife Miracle Electric Sprouter because it was equipment I already had for the experiment. Someone else might choose a different sprouting system or grow forage in shallow trays. The specific equipment matters less than being able to keep the seeds clean, manage moisture and monitor the batch closely. If the seed mixture contains ingredients not intended for sprouting or poultry consumption, do not assume it is safe simply because it is sold as a seed blend.

How I Set Up My Original Sprouting Experiment

For this test, I assembled the electric sprouter, rinsed some of the Peaceful Valley Omega-3 Chicken Forage Blend and spread the seeds in the sprouting tray. I placed a single layer of paper towel underneath because the smaller seeds were slipping through the holes. Then I plugged in the unit and waited to see how the seeds would respond.

At the beginning I expected to see sprouts in two or three days and hoped to have green growth within a week. Those were my expectations for this particular experiment, not a guaranteed timetable for every seed mixture. Seed age, temperature, moisture and the species in the blend can all affect the result. Watching what actually happens is more useful than assuming every batch will follow exactly the same schedule.

The photographs and video in this article show the setup I used. I wanted readers to see the process rather than just the finished tray. If you try something similar, check the seeds regularly and keep the equipment clean. A sour smell, visible mold or slimy growth is a reason to discard a batch rather than offering it to the flock. Fresh-looking sprouts are not a substitute for sensible handling and sanitation.

Introducing Sprouts to a Backyard Flock

When I first set the sprouted grains out, the chickens did not rush in immediately. They approached carefully, and one bird finally took a peck at the green growth. The others followed, and before long the sprouts were gone. That response was one of the most interesting parts of the experiment because it showed how a flock may need a moment to investigate something unfamiliar.

For anyone trying a new feed or treat, I would begin with a small amount and observe how the birds respond. Offer the sprouts in a clean place rather than leaving them where they will become mixed with droppings or wet litter. Remove uneaten material before it spoils. The goal is to provide a useful addition to the flock's routine, not create another source of contamination in the run.

Can Homegrown Forage Save Money?

One of my original hopes was that growing forage might reduce the feed bill. Whether that actually happens depends on the price of the seeds, the amount of electricity and water used, how much time the process takes and how much the chickens eat. It is easy to notice the green growth and forget that the seeds themselves have a cost. Sprouting changes the form of the feed; it does not magically create a complete, inexpensive ration.

If saving money is your main goal, keep a simple record for several batches. Write down how much dry seed you start with, what it costs, how long it takes to grow and whether the flock eats all of it. Compare that information with your usual feeding expenses. This is the same practical approach I use when evaluating other homestead projects: the result needs to make sense for the animals and the household, not just look promising in a photograph.

Planning Fresh Greens for Winter Chicken Care

Winter chicken keeping involves more than finding something green to feed. The flock still needs appropriate shelter, ventilation, dry bedding, fresh water and a nutritionally balanced diet. Sprouts can be an occasional addition when outdoor forage is scarce, but they cannot replace those basics. If your growing area is inside the house, keep sprouting equipment separate from food-preparation surfaces and clean it thoroughly after each batch.

I liked the possibility of growing a small tray regularly because it fit the idea of using available space and equipment to meet a seasonal need. The chickens clearly enjoyed the batch I offered, and that made the experiment worthwhile to me. The larger lesson is to start small, observe the animals and adjust the routine based on what actually works. That is how an experiment becomes a useful homesteading practice.

I encourage to buy a bag today and grow some for your chickens even if you do it the old-fashion way, in soil.