Every poultry farmer knows that the quality of his products depends on the nutrition of poultry. Preparing a properly balanced diet is the key to her health. This is also required for laying hens: in the summer they have no problems with food, but in winter there is no fresh greens for an objective reason. Therefore, experienced experts advise at this time to germinate wheat. Such food will provide chickens with all the necessary substances for the production of a sufficient number of eggs and their excellent quality.
The benefits of wheat germ
The beneficial properties of wheat germ due to the fact that at the time of germination there are concentrated a large number of nutrients. Wheat sprouts contain almost all good fats and minerals, as well as B vitamins and vitamin E.
That is why many poultry farmers add germinated wheat grains to the ration of laying hens, not only during the cold season, but also on an ongoing basis in order to increase the quantity and quality of eggs.
Did you know? Chickens can memorize more than 100 human faces and distinguish their master from other people. And if you pick up a chicken from a chicken coop, the rest of the chickens will remember it for several days and will know when they return.
Wheatgrass has a varied, but consistently good impact on chickens:
- increase immunity;
- speed up the metabolism;
- promote strengthening of muscular and bone tissue;
- increase egg production;
- eggs get a good size, their nutritional value increases;
- improved appetite and digestion.
We recommend reading about how and how much to feed domestic chickens, as well as how to prepare feed for chickens and for adult birds with your own hands.
Wheat germination
For maximum benefit, it is important to germinate wheat correctly. This is not difficult to do, but this process has its own characteristics and rules that must be adhered to. 
Wheat selection
For germination in order to feed chickens, you can buy even low-quality wheat - fodder wheat. It is not suitable for human consumption, but for the birds will be just right. Of course, you can buy wheat and the best varieties. Fodder is in demand among poultry farmers only because of its low cost.
When choosing, pay attention to the external state of the grain, its purity. And if mold is present or an unpleasant smell is noticeable, such a product should be discarded.
Important! Do not cook too much grain at a time. In the germinated state, it is not stored for a long time, so calculate the quantity cereals just a couple of meals.
Soak the grain
Before soaking the wheat, rinse it with fresh water several times. This will get rid of lumps of dirt and unnecessary husk. Then place the grain in a suitable container, preferably non-metallic. It can be a basin, bucket, pan, etc.
You will probably be interested to read about what to do if chickens do not carry well, can chickens and ducks be kept in the same room, do you need a rooster so that chickens carry eggs.
Fill all the water so that the wheat was covered by a centimeter and a half. The water temperature should be in the range of 40-50 ° C, if the grain was kept warm; if it was cold then pour hot water. Keep in mind that the final temperature of our mixture should still be around 40-50 ° C. 
Maintain the mixture
Now the mixture must be kept in a dark and warm place for 15 hours. It is advisable to cover the container so that the water does not evaporate.
Spreading grains
When it's time, drain all the water. Prepare a clean, wide and shallow container in advance. Put the grain into it so that the resulting layer of wheat was no more than 5 cm thick.
Important! In no case do not make a thicker layer of grain at this stage, because rotting processes can begin and everything will have to be thrown out.Now you need to take a cotton cloth (medical gauze can be) and wet well with warm water. Cover the grain from above and do not forget to periodically wet the cloth again as necessary. In the room where the future sprouts, should be warm.
Did you know? In order for most eggs to have the same weight and regular shape, it is necessary to pick up layers of similar weight and age, providing them with certain nutrition, lighting and temperature. It is difficult to make it at home, and there is no need for it, because the taste of an egg does not depend on its size.
Video: wheat germination for chickens
Feeding wheat
After two days the wheat grain will give juicy whitish sprouts. Some experts advise to wait another day to grow longer and stronger shoots, which, of course, will be more nutritious.
Familiarize yourself with the best breeds of laying hens, as well as the rules of their keeping and feeding.
But this is not necessary, so you can not spend extra time. After all, in front of you is a nutritious food that is completely ready for use by your chickens. 
When to give wheat to chickens
Nothing bad will happen if you add germinated grain to the bird ration throughout the year. But in the cold season, when there is no green grass, it is necessary to do it. Chickens will not only be healthy and full of energy, but will also carry excellent eggs. The proportions of adding grain are: 10 chickens - one handful of the finished product per meal.
We also advise you to read about cooking and feed rates, vitamins for laying hens.
Experts identify two methods of feeding:
- In the evening, an hour before bedtime. And it is recommended to pour the kernels directly on the litter.
- In the morning or in the afternoon. Germinated grain or give in its pure form, or added to the feeders with other types of food.
Advantages of day feeding:
- germinated grain gets directly into the feeders, so the losses are minimal;
- in the daytime chickens are active, so they eat the supplement with pleasure;
- the bird is not gaining extra weight, which the laying hens do not need at all.
The advantages of night feeding:
- wheat germ helps heat in the litter;
- chickens loosen litter when searching for seeds, and this prevents the processes of decay and debate;
- a bird in a closed henhouse is engaged in eating grain, that is, it is busy and does not miss.
We advise you to familiarize yourself with the nuances of choosing a chicken coop and fermentation litter for chickens, learn how to make and build a chicken coop independently, how to make ventilation in a chicken coop, and also how best to heat a chicken coop in winter.
How to feed layers - you decide, depending on the desired result.Important! If you prefer night feeding, then watch out for the amount of food, because your hens can gain extra weight, which will slow down the laying of eggs.
Now you know all the important moments of feeding laying hens germinated wheat grains. It is simple, not at all expensive and very useful. So prepare your bird this tasty and necessary additive.
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