S0336 - Meleches Shabbos - (Klal 11 Siman 2) - Zorea - 5

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Zoreiah 5 (Klal 11 Siman 2) Hilchos Shabbos - S0336

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We are beginning siman 2, where the Chayei Adam discusses different toldos of zoreiah.
If a person puts seeds into water and they eventually begin to germinate, they will be chayav for zoreiah. Included in this category is placing seeds into water with the goal that they will germinate in order to use as malt to make beer or whisky. By definition, malted grain means it has begun to germinate, and it therefore has a different flavor than the original kernels since it has begun to change into a plant (on a molecular level).
On the other hand, placing kernels on moist ground for the purpose of feeding animals, or soaking grain in order to feed it to animals, serves a different purpose, even though the seeds which are not eaten will end up becoming planted in the ground. The Chayei Adam will discuss all of these possibilities.

The Chayei Adam writes that one will be chayav for soaking wheat or other seeds in water in order for them to soften and sprout, similar to how kitniyos are soaked before they are planted. One will also be chayav for soaking grain for the purpose of making malt. Since the intention is for the seeds to germinate, one is chayav for this action. The Chayei Adam clarifies that although one may have thought that a person is only chayav once the seeds actually sprout, the chiyuv begins as soon as the seeds are placed in the water with the intention for them to sprout, as we learned (s335).
The Chayei Adam points out that this opinion argues with the Magen Avraham. According to the Chayei Adam, it would not matter whether the grains sprouted on Shabbos or not, since the placement of the seeds in the water already generates the chiyuv. In these scenarios, the seeds are intentionally placed in the water for the purpose of them sprouting, and the act of placing them is an issur deoraysa.

The next scenario the Chayei Adam discusses is softening up grain for the purpose of feeding it to animals. The animals will eat it before it sprouts, and the person has no intention that it should sprout. The Chayei Adam writes that it is muttar to soak the grain for this purpose.

Summary
There are different opinions in the achronim regarding the chiyuv of zoreiah. Some understand that one is not chayav for zoreiah until the seed takes root (similar to bishul), while others understand that one is chayav merely for its placement in the ground (unlike bishul).
The Chayei Adam understands that the mere placement of the seed for the purpose of germination generates a chiyuv. Therefore, one is chayav for soaking seeds so that they can be planted or for malt.
On the other hand, one may soak seeds for the purpose of feeding their animals, since they have no intention to soak them to the point of germination.