Soaking/Sprouting Seeds & Nuts
Offering your birds sprouted or soaked seeds and nuts is an excellent way of providing a naturally protein rich food source as part of a raw, whole food diet.
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My birds get fresh sprouted seed as part of the raw whole food mash on a daily basis. Most people hear the word "sprouts" and immediately think of the sprouts you buy in the grocery store, or that come in salads (alfafa sprouts, for example). This is not the kind of sprouts you should feed your birds! Not only are there risks of food borne pathogens (E.coli in particular) in the pre-packaged sprouts available in your grocery store, but they also offer surprisingly little, if any, nutrition to your birds.
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The other thing you do not want to do is attempt to sprout your seed by planting it in potting soil. Although these shoots can be fed to your birds, again - the purpose for which you are doing this is defeated by physically growing the plants in this way. While the shoots offer enrichment, they are not as nutritionally packed as the sprouts I am talking about!
The main goal when sprouting is to offer the sprouts when the shoot has just begun to split through the seed hull (called a "chit"). The sprouting process typically begins to occur after around 24 hours, with maximization on nutrient density tending to be in the 48 hour time-frame. (Obizoba, I.C., Atii, J.V. Evaluation of the effect of processing techniques on the nutrient and antinutrient contents of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) seeds. Plant Food Hum Nutr 45, 23–34 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01091226)
The main goal when sprouting is to offer the sprouts when the shoot has just begun to split through the seed hull (called a "chit"). The sprouting process typically begins to occur after around 24 hours, with maximization on nutrient density tending to be in the 48 hour time-frame. (Obizoba, I.C., Atii, J.V. Evaluation of the effect of processing techniques on the nutrient and antinutrient contents of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) seeds. Plant Food Hum Nutr 45, 23–34 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01091226)
How to Sprout
Below you will find easy step by step instructions on how I soak/sprout seeds for my flock. Sprouting seed is actually not that difficult provided you have the right ingredients and equipment on hand.
To begin sprouting, you will need the following:
Quart size or larger glass jar(s) or an Easy Sprouting Kit
A quality water sanitizer
Fresh seeds, beans, and/or legumes
To begin sprouting, you will need the following:
Quart size or larger glass jar(s) or an Easy Sprouting Kit
A quality water sanitizer
Fresh seeds, beans, and/or legumes
I sprout using the China Prairie Easy Sprouter, though I do also have glass mason jars on hand. I typically use the glass jars for straight soaking and the Easy Sprouter when I'm actually sprouting blends.
Step 1
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Choose an antimicrobial. The first step of sprouting is soaking the seed in your choice of water additive. The purpose for this additive is to prevent any bacteria, virus, or mold/fungus development while the seeds are soaking and subsequently while they are sprouting. This is especially important in hot/humid areas.
There are a variety of different products out there that individuals may choose: KD Water Cleanser (Dr. Marshall), Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV), Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE), Virkon-S and Sparkle (Morning Bird) to name a few. |
I currently use GSE. People have their preferences. Sparkle and KD Water Cleanser are products manufactured specifically for the purposes of keeping water clean (I believe the main ingredient in Sparkle being Chlorhexadine Glutanate). Most people use these products in the drinking water for their birds to prohibit bacterial and fungal growth, especially in auto-matic watering systems or tube water holders that do not get changed daily.
Virkon-S is a chemical disinfectant which, aside from actually being an effective cleaning agent for aviaries and other animal enclosures, has been used by the Save The Gouldian Fund for their seed sprouting ventures. Don't be alarmed by the fact that it's a chemical, the concentrations being used are a ppm that is not in any way, shape or form dangerous, and there is no residue left behind on the finished sprouts if using this product correctly.
GSE and ACV which are natural products. Individuals who are approaching husbandry holistically might prefer to use GSE or ACV over something chemically based.
I have tried all of the above. It is my opinion that ACV is not effective against retarding bacterial and fungal growth. KD and Sparkle are fairly effective as is GSE. It is my understanding that KD works similar to Virkon-S, but is not effective or proven against viruses, where Virkon-S is a proven virucide. In terms of efficacy, the Virkon wins. But if you wish to go a more natural route, the GSE is the better choice over ACV.
Virkon-S is a chemical disinfectant which, aside from actually being an effective cleaning agent for aviaries and other animal enclosures, has been used by the Save The Gouldian Fund for their seed sprouting ventures. Don't be alarmed by the fact that it's a chemical, the concentrations being used are a ppm that is not in any way, shape or form dangerous, and there is no residue left behind on the finished sprouts if using this product correctly.
GSE and ACV which are natural products. Individuals who are approaching husbandry holistically might prefer to use GSE or ACV over something chemically based.
I have tried all of the above. It is my opinion that ACV is not effective against retarding bacterial and fungal growth. KD and Sparkle are fairly effective as is GSE. It is my understanding that KD works similar to Virkon-S, but is not effective or proven against viruses, where Virkon-S is a proven virucide. In terms of efficacy, the Virkon wins. But if you wish to go a more natural route, the GSE is the better choice over ACV.
Step 2
Select your seed. Once you've selected the water purifier you are going to use, you will need to decide what type of seeds you will be sprouting. The most important thing here is to not use any seed blends that contain anything other than just plain ole' fresh dry seed. So - no pellets, and no fortified or colored/dyed seeds/oats.The other important aspect of the seed you are using is that it needs to be as fresh as possible. The older the seed, the lower the sprouting potential. Old seed has a much lower sprouting percentage and also takes much longer to sprout than fresh, high germination seeds. The longer your seed takes to sprout, the greater the chance of introducing unwanted bacteria or mold to the mix. The blends that I currently soak/sprout are below.
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Step 3
Soak your seed. Once you have selected the seed blend you will sprout, it is time to begin the process!
For me, since I am using GSE and the China Prairie Easy Sprouter, this is what I do:
For me, since I am using GSE and the China Prairie Easy Sprouter, this is what I do:
- Add 1.5-2 cups seed mix to the empty sprouting container.
- Add 7-8 drops of GSE to the Easy Sprouter Base and fill partially with water.
- Place the insert tub with the seed into the empty container and fill completely with water (leave about 1" at the top because certain blends will absorb water and expand as a result). Let the seeds soak for at least 8-10 hours.
Step 4
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Rinse your seeds. After the seeds have soaked for 8-10 hours, the seeds are drained. Because I am using the Easy Sprouter, I simply pull the inner container out and the seed drains super fast. If you are using glass mason jars, you can purchase special sprouting lids so that you can just invert the jar to drain the water. You can also use a hand-held strainer. I then rinse the seeds for several seconds and let them drain fully before placing them back into the Easy Sprout base container on the sprouting edge (the Easy Sprouter has raised areas towards the top to rest the inner container on so there is air flow!).
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At this point I try to rinse the seeds several times a day over the next 1-2 days until the seeds have chitted. With the blends I'm using this usually does not take more than 36 hours. I try to rinse the seeds 4-5 times a day.
If this is your first time sprouting, look closely at the seeds each time you rinse them. You should be able to see the hulls splitting, especially on any millet in the mix, which means it's time to stop the sprouting process. All of the seeds may not necessarily have a chit, but don't worry - when you see others chitting, it means the rest are not far behind. The seeds will continue to germinate (albeit much slower) in the refrigerator, so you want to make sure you pull at this stage otherwise the first seeds to sprout will grow too long while you are waiting for the others.
If this is your first time sprouting, look closely at the seeds each time you rinse them. You should be able to see the hulls splitting, especially on any millet in the mix, which means it's time to stop the sprouting process. All of the seeds may not necessarily have a chit, but don't worry - when you see others chitting, it means the rest are not far behind. The seeds will continue to germinate (albeit much slower) in the refrigerator, so you want to make sure you pull at this stage otherwise the first seeds to sprout will grow too long while you are waiting for the others.
If you're simply soaking a seed blend or soaking raw tree nuts, you can stop at this point and simply fully drain the soaked seeds/nuts and store in the refrigerator!
Sprouted TOPs All-In-One Seed
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Sprouted China Prairie Products Micrograin & Psittacine Blends
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Step 5
Feed to your birds! Generally, I rinse my finished seeds with a fresh solution of diluted GSE before mixing with fresh veggie chop or placing directly into the refrigerator. If they are allowed to drain properly they will easily stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
This is also a good time to sprinkle on vitamins and minerals for your birds because it will stick to the sprouts. I give my birds their sprouts and veggie chop first thing in the morning. Most people say that sprouts should be left no longer than 4 hours to prevent risk of contamination. As long as you make sure to only put enough seed on the dish so that it can dry out during the day, I have never had a problem with this. Besides - sprouts never last in my cages that long! My birds love their sprouts and demolish a plate worth in no time at all!
This is also a good time to sprinkle on vitamins and minerals for your birds because it will stick to the sprouts. I give my birds their sprouts and veggie chop first thing in the morning. Most people say that sprouts should be left no longer than 4 hours to prevent risk of contamination. As long as you make sure to only put enough seed on the dish so that it can dry out during the day, I have never had a problem with this. Besides - sprouts never last in my cages that long! My birds love their sprouts and demolish a plate worth in no time at all!
Fresh Raw Food Mash topped with China Prairie Products Nourish! Supplement