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I just bought a bean and seed sprouting mix for my birds. I had asked someone's advice on how to sprout these, and she suggested I share it on here. The lady I bought them from raises birds and she lives over in NY in the area where I used to live----she is very nice and she sells these and recommends them if anyone is interested----there is free shipping this month, so I figured I'd give them a try. I also sent a package of them to my friend who is foster mom to rescue birds, so hopefully some of her birds will like it! Anyway, here are the directions that were sent to me on how to sprout them..........
Sprouting Basics
Some people are just so overwhelmed when you talk to them about sprouts. I know that the first time that it was suggested to me, I thought the person was nuts. Sprout? Seeds? Legumes? For what? Why bother?
Well for the well being of your birds, that’s why!
In the wild, your bird would normally eat sprouted seeds and nuts and such that they would find on the ground. Along with fruit and other tasty tidbits they would find in the jungles or the savannahs.
But when they’re living in our homes, they need US to do it for them. Sprouts are nutritious and delicious not only for your birds but for you as well.
The best time to feed the sprouts is when they first start to grow little tails. The tails should be between ¼ and ½ inch long. A lot of people are talking about using bleach or GSE (grapeseed extract) on their sprouts. I have never used either and I have never had sour sprouts.
The key to fresh sprouts is to rinse, rinse, rinse!!
I don’t use a sprouting jar or one of those EZ sprouters, I use an old fashioned metal colander that my grandmother used to use. That way the air is able to get to the sprouts and help them to grow! I think that I got 3 colanders from Walmart for about $10.
The first thing you should do is decide what seeds, grains, or legumes you’re going to sprout, or you can purchase an already prepared mix like Truly Parrots Organic Sprouting Mixes.
Yes, yes, a plug for my product! I have mixed up some prime seeds, grains, and legumes and come up with what I consider a superior sprouting mix, if I do say so myself!
Next thing you want to do is soak your mix. Pour your mix into a bowl and run cold water over it, rinse it really well to make sure there is no dirt or grit in it. Then refill the bowl with water.
Make sure that there is enough water to not only cover your mix but to cover the mix once it starts to swell! Your mix will swell at least 3 times the volume of the original size.
Let your mix sit for approximately 8-12 hours. Once in a while, I’ll stir the mix up, just to aerate it a bit.
When you have let it soak for the 8-12 hours, drain your mix into your small holed colander. Rinse your mix really well, several times.
Now I cover my mix with a handtowel and move the mix so that its not in any direct light. If its cool in your house, rinse your mix every 6 hours, but if its summer and its very warm in your house, I would advise you to rinse your mix every 3-4 hours to keep it from going sour. Don’t let your mix dry out!
Continue to rinse your mix until you see little tails growing on the majority of your mix. Then feed to your flock.
Whatever is leftover, refrigerate immediately and make sure to use within 3 days.
This may seem like a lot of work but once you get into the hang of it, it really isn’t.
I like to feed my birds their sprouts over veggies, beans & rice, mash, or just feed it to them plain!
Your birds will thank you for it, I’m sure!

Laurie from Truly Parrots
Where the parrots “trulyâ€

Did you try the sprout mix yet?
I had bought some wheat berries from whole food market. I had soaked them in a plastic sprout container, sprayed them with fruit wash (it contains GSA). The next day I rinsed it thoroughly and let it dry. I got the little tials. the only one that ate it was Louie (princess of wales)
Where did you get your sprout?

No, I haven't sprouted them yet, but I will soon! I got mine from a woman named Laurie----she raises birds and feeds them to hers, and sells them. She said she is going to have specials, like buy one get one free----right now she has free shipping. Her site is trulyparrots.com Right now she is raising 4 baby green cheek conures----- I was Sooooo tempted! lol

I sprout seeds and beans on a semi-regular basis. With only one bird, she can't eat everything I want to feed her!!

With one bird i sprout 1/2 tsp or so, I know it doesn't sound like much, but it is. I soak the seeds a bit longer then 12 hours - right before I go to bed then I rinse when I get home from work. I use a small plastic container - gladware or ziploc with a coffee filter. After I rinse the seeds, I let them drain then put them in the container making sure the filter is wet all through but not having a puddle on the bottom. Spread the seeds on the bottom, cover and put it near the window. I rinse again before I go to be, and drain.

Usually the next day there will be tails. I rinse them again and serve! If there is more then I thought I will let them grow a bit another day and serve them too.

I've also sprouted millet, jumbo millet, beans from a soup mix package, seeds from her regular seed mix.

Jo

after I rinse the sprouts, of course they are wet. Is that what you do? If I dry them, though, the birds seem more interested in them.
Oh Woody so are sooo funny about the conures! Any time I go in a pet/bird shop I want to take all the budgies & tiels home with me!

I dry them a bit so they aren't in a puddle. Also, you really don't have to wait for tails to show up. If you know the seed is good and will germinate, it only takes a 12 hour soaking to "awaken" them to start growing. Once the seed starts the process of growing, it is a "live" food with all the benefits.