Easy Sprout

[Boysmom]

Has anyone used the easy sprout ? I just received mine today with my jumbo order from MSBS. This will be my first attempt at sprouting, so I welcome any suggestions/ advice. I do have GSE and purchased a small seed mix for sprouting.

 

[MonicaMc]

I use mason jars or the Bioset Salad Maker/Garden. Haven't used the Easy Sprouter, but I've heard it works great for most people.

I don't know about Grape Seed Extract, but I wouldn't recommend GrapeFRUIT Seed Extract. Great for cleaning, but I wouldn't recommend using it for anything that would be ingested by parrots. I realize a lot of people use it, but if you use too much, it can lead to a fungal infection. One senegal owner used GSE in his sennie's sprouts. GSE kills all bacteria, good and bad. His sennie ended up getting a fungal infection and it is believed that the cause of it was the GSE used in the sprouts.

Instead, I would recommend natural/unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar (with "mother"). I've also been experimenting with Citrid Acid. It gives the water a lemon like quality (sour) without the lemon! I haven't actually seen Citric Acid recommended for parrot sprouting, but it's a natural preservative, unlike GSE.


I've had successful sprouts using both. Here's an image of sprouts in the Bioset Salad Maker...

And another in a mason jar

 

[OOwl]

I work with sprouts every day and have had all the fancy "sprouting kits," but you know what I've found works best for ME and all I use now? A small, cheap stainless colander with a handle. I have a small ceramic bowl that fits down into. I put my sprouts (seeds and legumes) in the colander and sit in the bowl full of water, soak overnight, simply drain it the next morning, and let them sit in the colander inside the empty bowl (to catch drips) and I rinse it every time I walk by it (sometimes 4x a day, sometimes more, sometimes less). Within 24 hours I have budding sprouts. I feed them every other day and then start a new set. Anything I have to dink with in my busy day I'm less likely to use, so this simple method works for me. In ten years of sprouting, I've never had a sick bird and with the easy, frequent rinsing, no mold or bad bacteria has time to grow. Good luck. Your bird will LOVE the sprouts!

 

[aliray]

OOwl, That is ingenious and I am going to give that a try. Much easier when I used to sprout alfalfa sprouts for us back in the dark ages.Thanks for sharing

 

[henpecked]

hey oowl we use the colander method also. i used to use the mason jar but have less issues with the colander, so easy.

 

[lene1949]

I now use the easy sprouter after having used the colander method for years... I sprout 3 litres of sprouts every 3-4 days, and the easy sprouter takes up less space, and I actually think they work better, because of the green house effect...

 

[coral3]

I use the Easy Sprout, I have two of them so I can have a couple batches going at once. Sprouting is really very simple - I found it way easier than instructions make it out to be. I never add anything to the water. So far the only thing I've had trouble sprouting was chick peas, which sprouted well but smelled funky so I threw them out.

 

[josiesmom]

Ok, I'm intrigued. What do you sprout? I've never heard of this. Is this for macaws? How do you feed it to them?

 

[ConureCrazy]

Ok, I'm intrigued.

Me too. O.O


LOVE that word.....Intrigued.

 

[Agapornis]

I have the Easy Sprouter, but the instructions are kind of confusing. When do you use the organic apple cider vinegar (in lieu of the GSE)?

 

[lene1949]

I only use water... I rinse frequently and never have any problems...

 

[MonicaMc]

You would use the ACV during the soaking process only, although you could as well in the rinsing, but I don't find it necessary.

Sprouting is for all species, although depending on the size of birds you have may vary depending on the seeds you'll want to sprout.


Although a lot of the links are dead, the following post (and one after it) may be beneficial in sprouting.
http://www.parrotforums.com/general...oods-toxic-food-lists-sprouts.html#post198996
http://www.parrotforums.com/general...g-parrots-healthier-diet-tips.html#post192069

Some seeds start sprouting within 1-2 days while others can take up to 5 days to sprout.

 

[danadear]

I use the Easy Sprouter also..have two going all the time. Very easy and I've not had any problems.
Before I serve the sprouts I soak them with one capful of Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar and enough water to cover the sprouts. I soak for 5-10 minutes, then rinse and drain.