How to Feed Sprouted Grains to Livestock

Grains sprout unintentionally due to freezing or wet conditions in the field during harvest. Field-sprouted grains are considered damaged and unsuitable for human consumption. So farmers, in an effort to reduce waste, feed the sprouted grains to their livestock. Grains may also be sprouted intentionally to provide greens for poultry during the winter. Common grains used for sprouting include barley, oats, wheat and rye.

Things You'll Need

  • Food grade buckets
  • Electric drill
  • Food scale
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Obtain two or more food grade plastic buckets. Five-gallon buckets are easy to come by and work well.

    • 2

      Drill several small holes in the bottom and the sides of one bucket to make a rinse bucket. The holes should be smaller than the size of the sprouting grain, but large enough to allow water and debris to drain freely.

    • 3

      Pour grain into a bucket that does not have holes, fill only one-third full. Add enough water to completely cover the grain.

    • 4

      Soak overnight. Keep the temperature at 60 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, to prevent mold from growing.

    • 5

      Pour the grain and water into the rinse bucket, let the water drain out, and flush the grain with clean water.

    • 6
      Sprouts are ready when shoots and roots appear.

      Repeat steps 3 through 5 until the grain swells and sprouts. The number of days needed to sprout depends on the type of grain, but it will take at least five days.

    • 7

      Measure sprouted grain for feeding. Use a food scale to calculate feed quantities by weight instead of by volume.

    • 8

      Feed to livestock. Sprouted grains may be fed to poultry, sheep, pigs or cattle.