upatsix.com - Your Source For Pet Bird Information

I want to soak and maybe try sprouting and have read about apple cider vinegar as a wash before consuming.. I understand it is an anti bac, but have also read that using too much can kill not only bad bac on the seeds but also the good and beneficial bac in the birds gut. How much do you use? Any dilution rate of vinegar to water? have you heard this? I dont want to harm my boy in any way so I will wait for responses before attempting this. Also do you soak in the fridge or just on the counter?

I know this cant be rocket science but I would like to hear from some of you who have attempted this (successfully).

Freddy

Hi Freddy - I do have a recipe for it and will post tomrrow with the particulars...it is in the same room that Louie is sleeping in and since it is almost midnight I don't want to wake him.

Hi Freddy
If you just go to sproutpeople.com, you can find all the information you need. No, it's not rocket science but everyone seems to make it that way. lol
You just rinse the seeds in the inner container that has slits in the bottom for this purpose, and for ventilation. Then put in in the outer container and put the lid on that has holes in it. Take the inner part out and rinse the next morning or that evening if you've started in the morning and put it back in the outer container (that is filled with water). They should soak for at least 24 hours - then just take the inner part out, rinse and put the lid with holes back on. I turn it upside down to drain over night, then dry the outer container, put the inner part back in and stick it in the fridge. I use only overnight sprouting mix by Dynamo Sprouts (NOT the mini mix), and it takes about 32 to 38 hours altogether. They remain in the fridge and I make enough for about 3 days for 4 birds. None of my flock get dry seeds at all anymore.
As far as the amount of ACV, after I have enough water in the inner and outer containers together, to cover the seeds, I just put maybe a 1/2 teaspoon in to the water. After the seeds have drained, after 32 hours or so, I lightly spray a mist of ACV over the drained seeds before I put it in the fridge.
I know this still sounds complicated, but it's really only 2 fill-ups, 2 rinses, drain overnight and they're ready. Sprouts DO NOT need to have any tail showing before you can feed them. They are most nutritious when the tail just begins to sprout, sometimes not even being visible to our eyes. The main reason they need to be soaked for at least 24 hours, is to aid in the digestion of some of the beans that come in some sprout mixes.

You can also go to organicbirdfood.com to read about and/or order a sprouter. I have three of them although I only rotate two at a time so the sprouts are always available and always fresh.
andrea

I have two types of sprouts that I've got from 3 different places. The sprout mix that is different didn't come with directions.

First one reads to rinse seeds (in sprouting jar) until water runs clear. Then, soak overnight or for 12 hours, drain and rinse until it runs clear. Then, it says to set well drained jar on it's side in a cool area away from direct sunlight. Repeat this process every 6-12 hours (minimum twice daily). I make sure to rinse sprouts at least 3 times a day. When sprouts are 1/4-1/2" in length (bout 4-5 days) they are ready to feed. Store any unfed sprouted seeds in fridge for up to 3 days then discard. Myself, well I don't really follow this exactly, as I may feed the sprouts sooner than it says to. If you store it in the fridge, be sure you rinse the seeds well before feeding

The other directions I was given mentions to soak for 24 hours, although I haven't noticed a difference between the sprouts if they are soaked for a minimum of 8 hours to 12 hours, vs 24 hours....

My sprouting jars are 1 pint each, and this is an example of the lids... 5 jars, 1 with a metal wire mesh, the other with plastic mesh...

Wire Mesh with metal "rings" to screw down tight...



Plastic mash lids (I've got 4 jars from this place)


Personally however, I prefer the wire mesh....



I know some say to use apple cider vinegar or grapefruit seed extract, when you rinse the seeds, however I don't, and have never had any issues skipping those.

Great responses guys - thank you so much for your help. This is just my second boy and just want to make sure we do all the right things by him. I guess im a little paranoid after losing Huey this year. He did live to a good age for a tiel but we would have loved to have kept him around for a few more years.

Freddy

Hi Freddy, as long as you rinse, rinse, rinse and do it quite often you should not have a problem. It was thought that soaked seeds were the most nutritious, however, that thinking has changed. It is important to make sure that your legumes have a tail of at least 1/4 to 1/2 inch. I've been sprouting for a little over 3 years and I have found that ordering and sprouting seeds individually works much better for me and my kids. Since seeds sprout at a different rate, and, I find that I can control the process better that way. After the sprouting process, I then mix the sprouts together.

Here is a link which has a nutritional table for dry and various days of sprouting.

http://easygreen.com/index.php?option=c ... iew&id=219

An excellent group which discusses all aspects of nutrition for your babies is the Feeding Feathers group at yahoo groups.

Here is a link which shows you how I sprout:
http://imageevent.com/pelethecaique/foodforfeathereds

Thanks Christine

Freddy

Freddy - sorry so long to response, but here's my input (part of my packet from Louie's breeder):

Properly sprouted seed is one of the most nutritious foods you can offer your birds.

1. Rinse 1.5 C of seed in hot water and drain
2. Make up GSE (Grapefruit juice extract) water: Add 1 tsp per 1/2 GAL water
3. Soak rinsed seeds in solution of GSE water for 12 hours
4. Rince seeds in clear water
5. Soak rinsed seeds again in GSE water for another 12 hours
6. Rinse seeds in clear water and then spread them out on a small cookie sheet and cover with paper towel. Do not allow seeds to be kept in sunlight.
7. Allow seeds to sprout for about 4 days - rinse seeds each day with clear water and then spray seeds with GSE (put solution of GSE in spray bottle) occasionally during the 4 day sprouting period
8. Once most of the seeds sprout, rince one last time before serving. Make sure seeds are dried off first.
9 Keep sprouted seeds in refridgerator.

GSE (Grapefruit See Extract) can be found at most natural healther stores. This product is what keeps your sprouting seeds from becoming moldy and contaminated with baterial.

Any seed can be used, parrot seed mixes, pigeon mixes, etc. You can be creative and mix up your own seed mix by going to an organic suppy store. It is best to use a very clean seed for sprouting.

You can also obtain sprouting materials, including quality seed and GSE from China Prairie Company, PO BX 2000, 121 Briceland Rd, Redway CA 95560 (888) 373-7401 or www.chinaprairie.com, email at aves@chinaprairie.com

Hope this helps to add to your recipe booklet.


4.

Thanks all of you again. I will most certainly try your methods and find what works best for me and the boy. Im excited to get on the sprouting bandwagon!!. Will go out this weekend (or on the net) and get some supplies.

THANKS AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Freddy

Thought this may be of use....

http://www.landofvos.com/articles/sprouts.html

great article M. Thanks for the read!!

Freddy

China Prairie has a great system that's really really easy to use

http://www.chinaprairie.com/afd.html

Thanks for the link!!

Freddy