Best sprouting seed for breeding finches?

[Zebra-mutations]

Ok atm i feed sprouting canary seed OR mixed millet seed with a teeny tiny amount of linseed in there.

But i have been reading that these are rather low in protein and the source suggested rape seed and niger seed for breeding birds.

I would of thought feeding oily seed every day like this will stimulate the parents to nest again even with their current chicks.

So what seed is best to sprout and at what times of year in the season is it best to feed them!

And what vitamins do said sprouting seeds contain (If anyone knows). I would like to make sure im feeding pplenty of vit A. As they love sprouting seeds but not so keen on veg/fruits.

[Sally]

I was sprouting the white and black seed mixes that came from Mike Fidler via Fabulous Finch, but those are no longer available. I am now sprouting my regular finch seed mix, it is working. Just make sure that your mix doesn't have any of those little colored bits in it, those are not seed and I fear they would mold. I know Herman Bros. offers a sprouting mix, but the shipping kills me.

[Learning Finch]

I got a sprouting seed mix from lady gouldian. It sprouts well and the finch love it. As for the time of year....if it grows it the time they eat it.

[Sitting Duck]

I have used the Lady Gouldian sprouting mix also. I stopped using my regular seed mix because it has those colored fortified vitamin bits that melt and clump the seed.
The Lady Gouldian sprouting seed mix has Hemp in it. I have seen other post that state sprouted Hemp is good stuff. What I do not understand is if this Hemp seed claims to be "Not-Viable" how does it sprout? Mine didn't from the LG sprouted seed mix. Maybe I did not soak it long enough or give it enough time. But I think non-viable means it will not sprout. Is it in there as filler then? It is surprising because it is an expensive seed.

[Learning Finch]

I didn't notice my hemp sprout either. When we sprout the seed should only chit. I'm guessing the hemp is to attract the birds to the chit or maybe it's better a little soggy. Either way. Good stuff in...great birds out.

[mayble]

I use fresh white millet, red millet and sometimes a bit of canary seed. The sprouting/germinating process increases the protein content of whatever seed you use.

[lou]

If hemp sprouts/chits it grows, and that won't happen with the hemp seed used in the finch mix.
lou

[Sally]

Hemp seed sold in the U.S. has been sterilized, so it won't sprout. I don't know why it would be added to a sprouting mix. I used to add hemp seed to my egg food, but I found after a bit that it put the birds into breeding overdrive. They would lay lots of eggs, but they didn't want to settle down to incubate. Perhaps I was overdosing them?

[Barb]

Anybody tried Higgins Snack Attack Soak and Sprout?

I bought some but have not yet tried it.

[wildbird]

Sterilized Hemp seed? Leave it to the government to screw things up!

[Solomon]

For my gouldians, I've used both ABBA soak seed and Terri's sprouting mix from glamourous gouldians.com. I gotta say that my gouldians prefer Terri's mix. Most of it is gone by the next morning. They seem to peck at the ABBA mix, but they do eat it.

I've started to grow out the ABBA mix in small 12oz clear round containers for 10 days to give my birds greens since it is less likely to go bad as with cut greens. They really seem to enjoy it. They only get one container a week but I could probably grow them out longer or rotate the containers out more. They pretty much destroy the spouted greens in a day or so and pick at the green stubble for a few days.

[KarenB]

I use Lady Gouldians sprout seed, and I have used TOPS, as well. The TOPS sprouts much better, but it has larger seeds in it that my finches ignore, so sometimes I mix the two together. The TOPS is very expensive to ship, so I'm glad I found the LG mix. It works nearly as well for sprouting, just takes 12 hours longer for the same amount of sprout as the TOPS, but the finches love it.

[cindy]

I sprout White proso, tri-colored quinoa and Brown Top millet

[finchandlovebird]

[quote="Barb"]Anybody tried Higgins Snack Attack Soak and Sprout?

Barb, I have this, but found the seeds are very large. Lots of sunflower seeds in there. Probably would be good for hookbills; just a little large for finches.

[cindy]

Forgot to include a picture...this is after just a few hours soaking. The quinoa took off quickly.