Feeding sprouted grains

Hi Victoria,
My questions is about feeding sprouted grains fodder. Is it possible to meet the nutritional needs of laying hens by feeding only sprouted grain fodder if you additionally offer free choice minerals and calcium supplements and the hens are pastured?

Barb

being pastured, the answer would be maybe. It depends on how much protein they are able to gather on their own. Fodder on it's own does not have enough protein for a poultry diet. People will liekly respond with the dry matter analysis of fodder claiming high protein levels, but no one is feeding dried fodder powder (which is what was analyzed). They are feeding wet fodder, which is closer to 4-5% protein.

If your chickens don't have enough protein to make up the difference, you will need a protein supplement.