Barley fodder attempt #3

I had some barley left over, so I figured why not grow another batch.  I went back to using the clear tray.  I just dumped the seeds in and watered them twice a day.  I'm using my grow lights to start seeds, so when this stuff got tall I just sat it on a box under some shop lights.  I'm starting to wonder if lights are needed at all.  

Barley fodder attempt #2

The first batch of barley fodder worked out so well that I thought I'd try again.

I did a few things differently this time.  I had some issues with rotting/fermenting seeds on the bottom last time.  So this time I grabbed an old seed starting tray.  I used it last year for starting seeds and never threw it out.  I put two 2x4's across the sink and put the tray on top.  Then I drilled drainage holes down the center of the tray.  After the holes were drilled I filled each of the squares in the grid with barley seed.

I put the grow lights over the seed, but did not use the heating mat this time.

Here's a picture on day 7.  The grow lights have been removed for clarity.

Day 7

Day 9

Day 12

You can see in the picture below how I had to stack 2x2's onto 2x4's to raise the grow lights as the barley grew.

Day 12

This is day 13 with the grow lights in place.  This time I had a 2x4 on a 2x4.

Day 13

 I finally pulled it on day 14.

Day 14

You can see the roots are around the plastic grid.  I thought this might be an issue, but it separated rather easily.

I think this worked rather well.  I didn't notice any strange smells in the garage.  I didn't see any slimy rotting seeds on the bottom of the tray either.  I watered the barley in the morning before I left for work and again at night when I got home.  If there was anything to complain about it would be how long it took.  When I used the heating mat it only took 8 days.  This time it took 14.  In any case, the chickens are going to be happy to find this when they get up tomorrow.

Barley Fodder

I read about barley fodder on the Internet a short time ago.  I thought it was fascinating so I had to give it a try.  The idea is simple.  Put some barley seed in a tray and keep it moist.  You want it wet, but not sitting in water.  It'll rot.

I called up a local gardening/home brew store and ordered some barley seed.  It was $0.75/lbs.  I got 10 lbs.

I started by putting seeds in a tray.  I actually used the lid to one of those seed starting trays.  I drilled holes in one end so the water would drain out.  I put it over the edge of the sink.

Then I waited.  Not much happened for the first 2 days.  On day 3 I saw sprouts. 

It was only 50* or so in the garage.  I put my seed heating mat under the tray and grow lights on top. 

Then things really took off.  The picture below was taken on day 6.

And here it is at day 8.  It didn't grow as well on the right side.  I'm guessing that is because the heating mat didn't reach that far. 

The chickens seemed to really enjoy the stuff.

Did I have any issues?  Yes.  I noticed a bad smell in the garage.  When I pulled some of the fodder out for the chickens I found a layer of seeds on the bottom of the tray that had not sprouted.  They looked like they were rotting.  They were slimy and smelled very bad.  When I try this again I'm going to start with a lot fewer seeds in the tray.  I think I made a layer that was too thick.