More with the Sprouting Project...part 6/7...

Hello, all! Remember that part where I said that the chickens would get their first round of sunflower sprouts on the first of January? Well, today is the third. In the end, I ended up in bed hurt on Wednesday afternoon, and Wyatt didn't take the sprouts out without me, instead gave out some yummy treats and topped off the food.  I snapped these photos as bit later, as I was working on expanding the system. There is also now another stack of larger boxes, we will see how that works out!

These are the ones I had just started, see the little white sprouts?

This was one of the boxes almost ready to feed, as of Wednesday night...

These are the seeds sprouting int he open topped colander. Notice how the seeds are still visible, but they are getting thicker?

This is the same colander, this afternoon (Friday).  The seeds are now really deep and interspersed with sprouts.

This is the same set of sprouts, but closer up. I tried to get a better view of the sprouts from the side, but at least you can see the grass shoots.

This would be the top of the middle row you saw int he first photo.

And these are the new seeds we started on Wednesday. Some folks are telling me that the sunflower seeds grow slower than some of the other types of seeds when it comes to sprouting and growing them to feed to livestock.  I have barley due to arrive at the coop on Monday, so I will enjoy seeing how they do side by side!

Well, we have agreed that we will feed the sprouts for morning feeding before I head to work tomorrow, since the kids we be home to see how it goes.  I will do my best to share photos! If any of you have tried the sprouting what have you earned, do you have any tips for the rest of us, and have you tried putting the soaked seeds into a "salad bar" type growing situation for feeding in the pen?

The Sprouting Project, part 2

For those of you following along with our sprouting project, these are photos of the progress as of tonight.

This first photo is of the top container in the stack of plastic containers with lids.  This is the growth as of tonight. We were out for a hike after work today, so the seeds didn't get a midday watering. They seem to be growing fairly well. I am told that sunflower seeds take longer than some of the other seeds to grow,

This bottom photo is of the seeds which are sitting in the open topped colander. They are still lagging behind those in the prototype system. Like I was mentioning yesterday, this could be because there is a difference in light where these are, or because the domes are keeping things moister or warmer.   While I don't know for sure, and these are unscientific speculations on my part, I think I should consider this if I choose to build a larger system.

I have looked at several systems on the internet lately, from those built encased in plastic to those built on large stands or smaller stands and stands made of pallet wood.  If this project seems to work, I will want to design stands around whatever containers I think will work best to grow the amount of sprouts that will properly supplement the flock nutrition.  

I will take more photos tomorrow!  And luckily, I will be here for three or four waterings!  Have you tried fodder systems to supplement your livestock feed? What were your goals in the project, and what did you learn from it?

Yummy Heritage Poultry Recipe[ Chicken and Dumplings

For anyone who has tried, cooking heritage bred poultry is a bit different than cooking the genetically modified, juice and stuff injected poultry from the factory farms. I have spoken with lots of folks who absolutely understand the value of the traditionally bred, pasture raised birds, the cost of the organic, un-subsidized healthier farming practices makes this very difficult. Another issue, these birds tend to be drier, and need to be cooked more slowly.

I know this can be another factor in the choice to go with organic, heritage bred poultry for your food choice, despite the knowledge that the choice for the environment and the health of those who eat the poultry may seem such a simple one.  So I am slowly sharing recipes that have passed the test of our family- my toughest critics!

So this would be the first installment, Chicken and Dumplings:

I know that not everyone likes veggies in their chicken and dumplings, so feel free to omit as appropriate to you....

1 whole chicken, without skin.

6-8 cups water

poultry seasoning

salt and pepper

6 medium potatoes

1 medium onion

2 cups veggies, if desired

1 cup butter

3 cups flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

enough milk or broth for dough

Place the whole chicken in the crock pot, rub with poultry seasoning until liberally coated, add 3 tablespoons of chopped fresh garlic (bottled or chopped and frozen works just fine), and add 6-8 cups of water (enough that the chicken is mostly covered.)  Feel free to sprinkle in a little salt and pepper, then cover and cook on low for a couple hours.

Coarsely chop six medium potatoes, add them to the pot along with a diced medium onion.  By now, the chicken should be cooking well, feel free to add additional spices to taste. Cover and allow to cook again for another 2-3 hours. At this point, you should be able to begin pulling out the bones.

Add 2 cups of mixed veggies, I used some carrots, corn and peas and beans. (Note, in my opinion, corn is fine as an occasional component, but not the central focus of nutrition. You can include or omit veggies as you wish.)  Cover, turn the crock pot up to high, and let the broth heat while you make the dumplings.

Mix 1 cup of butter, 3 cups of flour and 1 tablespoon of baking powder, add milk or broth until a dough is reached.  You can choose to either roll out the dough and cut into strips, or roll into little balls or drop by spoonfuls into the hot broth of the crock pot. The broth being hot enough should seal the dumplings. COver and allow to cook to the desired dumpling consistency, serve hot.

Let me know how you like it!