Soaking and Sprouting Seeds

A Review of Workshop by Jean Tarr

Supplies:
A single type or mix of seeds that have approximately the same sprouting time.
A couple of one pound margarine containers with lids
A tea towel
A 6 inch Sieve
An anti-bacterial agent

Soaked or barely sprouted seeds are one of the best proteins you can feed a bird. These are especially valuable to get your birds into breeding condition and the ultimate food for those hungry youngsters. When the seed first germinates the protein level of the tiny new sprout is at its highest. As the sprout grows longer it has less protein and more carbohydrate, which is still an excellent food for your bird but the protein has converted to starch and sugars. When the sprout has just cracked the shell, stop the process by refrigerating the seed to inhibit any further growth of the sprout.

I use White Millet and Japanese Millet in equal portions for my sprouting mix. You may use whatever seeds your birds normally eat. One cup of seed is rinsed in a sieve under running water to remove any dust. It is then poured into a container (i.e. a 1 pound margarine tub) and covered with fresh water. To this is added 2 -3 drops of Saniclens, or a similar anti-bacterial agent. Plain Bleach may be used in this process but ensure the bleach has no additives like lye or lemon scents added. It must be 5.25% sodium hypochlorite and nothing else. A few drops of GSE or Apple Cider Vinegar may also be used to deter bacteria. I let the mixture soak like this for 24 hours at room temperature. (Note: If you do not use an anti-bacterial in the water, you must change the water 3 or 4 times in the 24 hour period or moulds will begin to form on the seed. Mould is toxic to the birds so the whole mixture absolutely must be discarded. Also if the seed begins to ferment and turn into alcohol, likewise throw it out. You can easily tell if the seed is healthy by smelling it.) The seed is put back into the sieve and again fresh water is run through the seed. Shake the sieve to drain out as much water as possible. You may rest it on a towel for the same purpose. If you wish to feed SOAKED SEED, you may stop the process now. Pour the drained seed into a bowl. Add a teaspoon of oil, i.e. Breeding Aid, safflower oil, virgin olive oil or wheat germ oil to the seed, gently shake or stir it around to coat each seed. The purpose of the oil is to create a barrier around each seed to prevent spoiling. (As well, the oils add nutrition content.) Refrigerate until ready to feed.

If you wish to continue SPROUTING SEED, after draining, suspend your sieve over the margarine tub to which you have added a half inch of water to retain the humidity. Cover the top of the sieve with a damp tea towel. Place the tub on top of the fridge, or in the furnace room, where the temperature is around 72 - 76 degrees. Let stand for 8 - 12 hours. Gently shake the sieve to ensure all seeds are beginning to sprout. If your room is a little too cool, sprouting may be delayed another 8 hours or so. In this case, rinse the seed as before and suspend again. When you see the tiny buds of a sprout, stop the process. Do not rinse the sprouted seed prior to feeding and storage unless you plan to dry it off thoroughly. Pour the seed in a bowl and add a teaspoon of oil. Shake around to coat each seed. Then cover and refrigerate until ready to feed.

Start by adding small amounts of soaked or sprouted seed to your soft food mix. As the birds get used to eating it you may add up to ¼ of the volume for nestlings. If you feed the soak seed off season, you can feed it just as is. The birds will gobble it up very quickly. It is the closest thing to green feed which they would normally eat in the wild, and that we can provide.