how to sprout seeds?

[654timtams]

i really want to give my lovbird sprouted seeds rather than normal seeds because i heard it is healthier. i do give him fruit and veg and a mix of dried food but seeds are still a main part of his diet.

i once switched to pellets but i was not liking the state of my bird. he was eating them (when he accepted them which included me eating them in front of him, they taste horrible ) i watched him and as his weight but his feathers were messy he was less energetic his droppings were weird.. i dont know maybe the brand i bought? but i then switched back to his normal seed mix and he was back to his old self.

anywys so how do you sprout seeds? i tried soaking them in water in a small plastic cup but they stared to smell funny i dont want to poison my baby!

 

[Mimsy01]

You can buy a sprouter which makes things easy.

Otherwise you can use a glass jar-make sure it's sterile. (boil it) and put cheese cloth over the top (secure with a rubberband) so you can rinse often.

i soak for about 12 hours. I add a tiny bit of vinegar to the water to help keep bacteria from growing. I rinse them pretty much any time I walk buy them. After the soak, just rinse often, and sit the jar upside down over a cup or something so it has good drainage.

the thing that keeps them from going bad is-use sterile containers-rinse often-drain well-don't put in direct light. Depending on the seeds it should take just a couple days. Once sprouted make sure they are rinsed well again and you can keep them in the fridge for over a week. If you don't see something happening after 24 hours you probably have bad seeds.

 

[SoCalWendy]

Ok but what kinds of seeds do you use, do you take what you have on hand and sprout those, or is there a certain kind of seed.

 

[Weezerj]

I bought sprout seed mix at whole foods. Most health type grocery stores will carry sprouting seeds and a mesh lid for mason jars.

 

[SoCalWendy]

I also just saw a video on sprouting seed in a tea strainer... It seemed to work for her. Anyone ever try? Kiwi loves chia seeds and I have organic chia seeds from trader joes, so I am going to try a little and see how it goes.

 

[Mimsy01]

Ok but what kinds of seeds do you use, do you take what you have on hand and sprout those, or is there a certain kind of seed.

I buy sprouting seeds.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Sprout-House-Certified-Sprouting-Quantities/dp/B005LRBGEQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1438551772&sr=8-1&keywords=sprouts"]The Sprout House Dozen Certified Organic Non-gmo Sprouting Seeds Mixes Sampler Small Quantities of Each Seed Mix Holly's, Rainbow Bean Mix, Wisdom Blend, Salad Mix, Veggie Queen Mix, Hi Power Protein Mix, Bean Salad Mix, Lentils Together, Delaware County Mix, Jills Mix, Tasty Broccoli, Clover Mix - Contains These and More: Alfalfa, Radish, Clover, Broccoli, Mung, Green Pea, Fenugreek, Garbanzo, Adzuki,: Amazon.com: Grocery & Gourmet Food[/ame]

I've bought these ones a few times and they last forever. However, I have rats and humans that eat the larger sprouts, Foo is not fond of them. (like chickpeas and some of the legumes.)

This one is a favorite with her. [ame="http://www.amazon.com/The-Sprout-House-Certified-Sprouting/dp/B00522AFRE/ref=pd_sim_sbs_325_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=00VSTTBSK72TMC2X7AKA"]The Sprout House Certified Organic Non-gmo Sprouting Seeds Salad Mix Broccoli, Clover, Radish, Alfalfa 1 Pound: Amazon.com: Grocery & Gourmet Food[/ame]

If you get the one with 12 different ones, or the one with 6 you can try them and see which ones go over the best and go from there. It will probably take you at least 6 months to go through that, and if it's only for a small parrot (no humans sharing) closer to a year.

 

[SoCalWendy]

Ok but what kinds of seeds do you use, do you take what you have on hand and sprout those, or is there a certain kind of seed.

I buy sprouting seeds.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Sprout-House-Certified-Sprouting-Quantities/dp/B005LRBGEQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1438551772&sr=8-1&keywords=sprouts"]The Sprout House Dozen Certified Organic Non-gmo Sprouting Seeds Mixes Sampler Small Quantities of Each Seed Mix Holly's, Rainbow Bean Mix, Wisdom Blend, Salad Mix, Veggie Queen Mix, Hi Power Protein Mix, Bean Salad Mix, Lentils Together, Delaware County Mix, Jills Mix, Tasty Broccoli, Clover Mix - Contains These and More: Alfalfa, Radish, Clover, Broccoli, Mung, Green Pea, Fenugreek, Garbanzo, Adzuki,: Amazon.com: Grocery & Gourmet Food[/ame]

I've bought these ones a few times and they last forever. However, I have rats and humans that eat the larger sprouts, Foo is not fond of them. (like chickpeas and some of the legumes.)

This one is a favorite with her. [ame="http://www.amazon.com/The-Sprout-House-Certified-Sprouting/dp/B00522AFRE/ref=pd_sim_sbs_325_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=00VSTTBSK72TMC2X7AKA"]The Sprout House Certified Organic Non-gmo Sprouting Seeds Salad Mix Broccoli, Clover, Radish, Alfalfa 1 Pound: Amazon.com: Grocery & Gourmet Food[/ame]

If you get the one with 12 different ones, or the one with 6 you can try them and see which ones go over the best and go from there. It will probably take you at least 6 months to go through that, and if it's only for a small parrot (no humans sharing) closer to a year.

Great thanks for the information

 

[Mimsy01]

I also just saw a video on sprouting seed in a tea strainer... It seemed to work for her. Anyone ever try? Kiwi loves chia seeds and I have organic chia seeds from trader joes, so I am going to try a little and see how it goes.

Honestly, anything sterile that can be drained easily several times a day will work easy enough.

It's really no work at all to do them.

 

[SoCalWendy]

I also just saw a video on sprouting seed in a tea strainer... It seemed to work for her. Anyone ever try? Kiwi loves chia seeds and I have organic chia seeds from trader joes, so I am going to try a little and see how it goes.

Honestly, anything sterile that can be drained easily several times a day will work easy enough.

It's really no work at all to do them.

Ok that's great to know. I've got some in my tea strainer I will rinse 3 times a day and see what happens

 

[Mimsy01]

It's nice if you can soak them several hours initially. Make sure it's a big strainer, a tablespoon worth of seeds ends up being about a half cup sprouted.

Here is ones I started yesterday.

 

[654timtams]

So when are the seeds ready to give to your bird? Do they have to completly sprout? I am going to try to sprout seeds today and see what happens.

 

[Flboy]

I use abba seed soak
SOAK

 

[Doublete]

I got the sproutamo easy sprout and a bag of blessings soak and sprout seed all from msbs

 

[Flboy]

Another option, switch to Roudy Bush pellets. I like the flavor!