sprouting questions

[Colorguarder08]

I just bought Riley a nice big bag of seeds that will last a long time because outside of the foraging toys seeds are going to be fed VERY sparingly mostly pellets and veggies with some fruits. Can any seed be sprouted? Or just certain ones? How do you sprout seeds? I have never done this but really want to especially since Riley has some less than great nights in her short little life already so I want to be sure to give her everything she needs to be happy and healthy

 

[MrsKay]

Sprouting seed is easy. You just need to be aware that they can grow bacteria quickly if not prepared and stored properly.
Most fresh seeds, beans, peas, etc. will sprout, provided they are raw and not treated or coated in any way. (such as vitamin coatings on some bird seeds.
You can purchase a seed sprouting kit (online or at a store) or you can make your own sprouter.
To make a sprouter:
You should use a plastic container with a plastic lid, or a glass jar with a plastic lid. Do not use a metal lid for the container as it will rust.
Poke as many small holes in the lid as possible, using a small nail or an ice pick. You want to create a sort of sieve (like a colander) of the plastic lid.
Place a small amount of seed in the container and rinse well, using the lid with the holes to drain (anywhere from a couple of Tablespoons to a 1/2 cup for a small container) Rinse and drain several times until the dust is removed and the water pours clean.
Now add 2 cups (16oz.) water to cover the seed (or whatever mixture you are sprouting)
You should add 8 - 10 drops of GSE (grape seed extract) to the water. This will keep bacteria from growing. (this is available in some markets, or in a health food store, some pet shops have it as well). OR/ you can use some white or apple cider vinegar if you desire, but use about 1 tsp. vinegar per cup of water.
Cover with the perforated lid.
Let the seeds soak for 12 hours in the water.
After this 12 hour soak, you can begin sprouting the seeds.
RINSE and then DRAIN the seeds thoroughly. You want to be sure you rinse several times to remove the GSE or vinegar. Otherwise the sprouts will taste funny and your bird may not eat them.
Replace the perforated lid.
The perforations in the lid will allow some air to get in there which will help with the sprouting. You do not need to place the container in the light, as these seeds would be sprouting underground where there is no light anyway.
During the next 12 hours, rinse and drain the seed a couple of times (say every 4 hours) to assure cleanliness of the mixture. Shake the container up a little after each rinse just to move the seeds around a bit.
You should see the moist drained seeds sprouting after 12 hours or so. They can be served in this early sprouting stage (which is what I do) or you can let them sprout a bit longer, but be sure to keep rinsing periodically.
They should smell rather sweet, nothing rancid or funny smelling. If they smell funny, toss them. I always smell and sometimes taste them myself.
Your bird should love them!
At this point, store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 days. Some people store them longer but I do not.
That's all there is to it

 

[SilverSage]

Mrs. Kay said a lot of good stuff. I feed sprouts as my foundation diet with veggies, etc added in. Because I have so many birds I have a 3-day system and almost never have leftovers to refrigerate. Here is what I do (simplified into one batch instead of having a fresh batch each day).

In the evening I rinse the seed (I use Volkman's seed, and I use different kinds for different birds. Use whatever is the right size for your bird, but make sure there are no pellets included, as these spoil right away and ruin the whole batch. You can also sproud things like Quinoa, alfalfa, mung beans, etc. I do not feed beans often because they are toxic to birds unless sprouted or cooked) and soak it. No special measurements needed, just use a LOT of water to a little seed. As you are starting out, probably start with less than 1/4 cup seed until you know how much your bird will eat, etc. Soak it over night.

In the morning I dump the seed into a wire strainer like you would see for pasta or something. Mine has a handle and it is made of wire mesh so the seeds don't go through. It was a few bucks at walmart.Dump the seed into the strainer and RINSE RINSE RINSE! Shake it wround a bit, and use as high of water pressure as possible. Then dump the seeds into a bowl, leave it on the counter, do not cover.

Afternoon, RINSE! Using the same method, leave it on the counter uncovered. Do this morning, noon, and night for 2 full days. On the morning of the third day the seeds are at their highest nutrient levels. Rinse and feed, refrigerate left-overs.

IMPORTANT! Always examine your seeds for mold just in case, and always smell them to be sure they are not at all sour. Sour seeds make sour tummies. Sour tummies make birds who will NEVER eat whatever made them sick EVER again. That is how the survive in the wild.

 

[Colorguarder08]

I have started my first attempt at sprouting. Right now the seeds are soaking. When I rinse them in the morning do I need to soak them again? Or just leave them in the container?

 

[SilverSage]

You only need to soak once, then you rinse really well and leave it in the container without the water.

 

[Colorguarder08]

If I don't have success with this I will order the sprouting mix available on bird.com but I am hoping this works. I have made sure there is no pellets of anykind in with the seeds. So fingers crossed this goes right.

 

[SilverSage]

It is basic science. If you rinse often enough, 2-5 times per day, it will work. It truly is basic seed life cycle stuff. Relax the sprouting mixes just cost lore becUse they can, not because they work better. What are you sprouting?

 

[4dugnlee]

I use parakeet food with just seed, no pellets. I soak in a mason jar with a paper towel rubber banded on the top, for about 12 hours. After the soak time, I rinse well in a colander and place the seeds back in the jar with the paper towel on, and "tilt" the jar in another container which will hold the jar at a tilt. This lets the seeds drain and helps prevent bacteria growth. I also add about a tablespoon of vinegar when I rinse the first day to kill any bacteria. I rinse the seeds twice a day and in about 3 days (depending on the temperature) I have sprouts. Sassy will eat sprouts...Cisco will not. He doesn't really like seeds themselves either. I've never bought "sprouting" seeds...I just use the parakeet seed. I've also done chia seeds but with those I put some in a small bowl and just mist them with a spray bottle and put them in the windowsill. Mist them a couple times a day if needed....they just need to be damp. Good luck...I'm sure you will do fine! I know you already got your answer...I was just telling you how I do with with the jar/paper towel.

 

[labell]

Go to the website SproutPeople, great info and products. I have a few of the Easy Sprout Sprouter and I love them!

 

[Colorguarder08]

Trust me I'm thankful for any and all tips. I am sprouting a cockatiel seed mix I don't remember the brand as I put them in a container I don't have to worry about breaking open or the zip lock being faulty I think it's La'Avian but I'm not sure I do know I got it at the country store though lol. I also have her pellets in food storage containers but I know which brand and kind. I rinsed them for about 15 minutes this morning and they are on the counter in their container. I only used less than 1/8 of a cup to see if it actually works and what she will eat.

 

[SilverSage]

That will work just fine you will be surprised how easy it is.

 

[Colorguarder08]

So today is the third day so they should be able to be eaten but since the smaller seeds just started spouting I think I will wait another day before giving them to Riley. I threw away my first batch because I realized that I forgot to add the vinegar during the soaking process and didn't want to chance bacterial growth. However the larger seeds started sprouting the first day. So tomorrow we will see if she likes her sprouts. She should though because yesterday during one of the rinsings she climbed off my shoulder and wanted to eat them but she wasn't allowed.