Owners with a backyard farm and domestic animals are well aware of the problems of preparing fodder for the winter. In addition to hay, compound feed and silage, it is necessary to prepare grain for poultry and small animals.
Instructions
Step 1
Grain is usually bought at the autumn fairs of agricultural producers in the region or in agricultural farms. But in order to buy grain correctly, you need to know how to choose it. Tips for choosing grain are given by the most experienced agricultural technicians:
When choosing a grain, evaluate its clogging and trauma visually, since it is such grain that is most susceptible to spoilage.
Step 2
Look at the color of the grain. High-quality grain has a shiny smooth surface, corresponding to each grain culture, color. If the grain is spoiled, then the color of its shell is dull and dark. Oats and barley lose their natural color when spoiled.
Step 3
Scatter the grain in one layer on white paper and examine it with a magnifying glass. Pay particular attention to the grain seam and husk. If you see black spots on the grains, then the grain is spoiled or damaged by fungus.
Step 4
Smell the grain, good grain has a fragrant odor without sour and putrefactive impurities, no ammonia odor. If you have any doubts, you can "smell" the grain properly by warming it in your palms or pouring it with hot water in a glass for 2-3 minutes. The water temperature should be no more than 60-70 ° C.
Step 5
Taste the beans after grinding and chewing them. If the grain tastes sweet, it means that it has sprouted, and if it is sour, then the grain is spoiled by a fungus.
Step 6
In addition to clean grain, agricultural enterprises often offer grain waste to the owners at a low price. Experts do not recommend feeding animals and poultry with grain waste, since broken and small grains, like husks, litter, dust retain more moisture, which leads to the development of fungi that release mycotoxins that are harmful to health.
Step 7
After purchasing grain, it must be properly stored. It is advisable to store grain in an airtight container that does not allow moisture to pass through and does not collect condensate. The storage should maintain low humidity (12-14%) and a temperature of 20-30 ° C. Before filling the grain for storage, it must be thoroughly cleaned and ventilated.
