Due to the scarcity of fresh green fodder and limited sunlight during spring, long-term feeding of livestock and poultry can lead to vitamin deficiencies. This can result in metabolic disorders, stunted growth, weakened immunity, and even illness or death. To address this issue, it's essential to supplement vitamins in the diet of animals during this season. Here, we introduce a simple and effective method for farmers to produce a vitamin-rich feed at home. The following outlines the production process and usage guidelines.
The production of germinated feed typically uses cereal grains such as barley, oats, corn, and rice, with barley being the most commonly used. The process is similar to sprouting beans. First, the seeds are cleaned and soaked in water at 20°C–25°C. After soaking, they are wrapped in gauze or cloth and sprayed with warm water (around 30°C) 4–6 times daily. They should be gently turned to ensure even moisture. After 2–3 days, small roots and sprouts will appear. At this point, the gauze can be removed, and the sprouts should be rinsed twice a day with clean, warm water. Within 3–5 days, the sprouts will turn green and become ready for use.
Germinated feeds are highly nutritious. During the germination process, some starch is converted into maltose, and proteins break down into easily digestible amino compounds. Additionally, the levels of carotenoids—which convert to vitamin A in the body—along with riboflavin and vitamin E (tocopherol) significantly increase. For example, one kilogram of sprouted barley contains about 28 mg of beta-carotene, 250 mg of vitamin B2, and 17 mg of niacin (vitamin PP). This makes germinated feed an excellent source of essential nutrients and a natural vitamin supplement for animals.
The timing of feeding depends on the intended purpose. If the goal is to supplement B-vitamins and improve palatability, the sprouts should be harvested when they reach 2–3 cm in length. For higher carotenoid content, it's best to feed them when the shoots grow to 8–10 cm.
In practice, germinated feed has proven beneficial across different types of livestock. For breeding females, feeding 150–250 grams per day can stimulate estrus, improve pregnancy rates, and increase milk production. For males, 100–200 grams per day can enhance libido, improve semen quality, and boost fertility. For young animals, such as piglets or chicks, 30–40 grams per day (or 10–20 grams for pigs, 3–4 grams for chickens) helps promote growth, strengthen immunity, and improve survival rates. Laying hens benefit from 10–20 grams per day, which boosts egg production, fertilization rates, and hatchability. Even sick or weak animals can gain strength from this nutritious feed. When feeding, it can be chopped, cut into pieces, or mixed directly into their regular diet for easy consumption.
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