Sprouting

[mzdolittle]

Does anyone else on here sprout their own grains, legumes, seeds, etc for their parrots? If so, what kinds of things do you sprout?

Alica

[Macawpower58]

I myself don't do it, but I know several who do. It's a pain if you ask me. It also is wonderful for the birds.

Here's a link, with advice for beginners. It's a time consuming practice, with daily rinsing a necessity.

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

[mzdolittle]

I don't think it's too hard to sprout. So far, I've only been doing lentils and chick peas. My birds absolutely love them. That is one of the best articles I've read. Thank you.

Alica

[dlaura]

Alica how many days does it take for them to sprout?

Do you feed as soon as the seed sprout?

[mzdolittle]

In two days I have sprouts. When they first sprout is when they are the most nutritious. If you want to let them get longer "stems" on them, you can, though or so I've read and heard from other people. But the object is to get the most nutrition into the bird. I rinse them really well, two or three times in a fine strainer, then put them in a wide mouth mason jar and put about 3 x as much water as beans. I cover the top of the jar with a piece of cheese cloth and a rubber band. I leave them over night(8-12 hours for the first soak) and then I rinse them the next morning and put them in the jar with just enough water to cover them. I rinse them again in the afternoon and once more late before I go to bed. I set it in the pantry in the dark. After they sprout, I spread them out on paper towels and pat them dry, then put them in a ziploc bag and put in the refrigerator. They will keep for two or three days. I start more when I take those out. You can't sprout most beans, though. They produce a toxin and must be cooked. There are a lot of grains and seeds that can be sprouted, though. I just this week found an organic food store where I can buy more things that I can use. I plan on shopping there in the next day or so. I hope to get several things for the birds to eat.

Alica