Sprouts

Remember my failed attempt at mung bean sprouts?  Well, the second attempt didn't go much better.

They are still growing massive hairy roots.  I'm thinking that if I keep them shallower, then they won't need the long roots to reach the water.  In the meantime- goats and chickens can feast on these.

The smaller jar is some red lentils, which seem to be very slow getting started.  They are sprouting, but not at all like the mung beans.

One more attempt, this time a smaller amount in a bowl. 

There was a discussion on an email list the other day, about sprouting critter feed.  In particular- for the chickens and the goats.  It's supposed to add more nutrition into their diets.  I haven't done the research yet, I'm just playing with the 'how much of a pain in the ass' versus 'how much money will I save theory'.  I figure it'll be a cash savings, due to the bulk created in sprouting seed.

I bought a bag of scratch grain at the feed store.  It's at least half filled with cracked corn, which doesn't impress me much.  The brand that I normally buy at TSC is all seed and grain.  It works- it is sprouting- but it smells kind of gross.






Then I bought a bag of wild bird feed- which is all grain and seed.  Same principle, and it smells much better so far.

Then I started looking around for more stuff to sprout.  Hmm.  This cantaloupe was destined for chicken feed anyway...

The kids ate a bit around the edges, but most of it was already soft and mushy.  I scooped the seeds, and soaked them overnight.

I'll see if they sprout in a few days.  And maybe if I keep practicing, I'll eventually figure out what I'm doing wrong with the mung beans.  For the moment, the thought of tripling the value of a bag of feed will have to sustain me.