soaked seeds

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 7:20 pm

Well I have tried to get my finches to eat sprouts but every time i make them they look but they just won't eat them.
Can you tell me the difference between sprouts and soaked seeds ?
Can you use there regular seed mix to see if they will eat that before I buy special seeds?

gomer · Post by **gomer** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 7:51 pm

Hi Bcamp, sprouted seed grow a little white tail on them.(Root)this takes 24 to 48 hours depending on humidity to appear after soaking,feed to birds just as roots appear as this is the most beneficial stage.i use french and jap millet in my mix to sprout.This site has some good info on sprouting heres another.http://www.birdsrus.com.au/?page=154
The important thing is to kill any bacteria in the seed mix,as sprouting it.When you smell it it should have a nutty smell not sour.

As for getting them to eat it, try mixing it with their favorite food eg. greens.it can take a while before they eat it.

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 8:04 pm

gomer
I know about the sprouts those I make,whats the differance in soaked seed?

Post by **Sally** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 1:21 pm

My understanding is that soaked seed is used in about 24 hours, rather than the longer period. You won't see any root coming out yet, but the hull is softened. Abba Seed says on their mix to soak the seed in water for 8 hours, then drain and rinse well, then let the seed sit for another 18 hours before using. I have started doing that, and adding the soaked seed to the eggfood, along with some dry food (either nesting or commercial eggfood or insectile food). You can actually soak any seed mix, as long as it is seed only and doesn't contain the bits with artificial coloring.

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 2:03 pm

Sally
Thanks thats what i wanted to know,my bunch just don't seem to like sprouts for some reason so I wanted to try the soaked,thanks again

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 6:54 pm

I used to soak regular finch seed with no problem - my finches loved it. Now I buy "Soak Seed" and they love it even more! I mix the soaked seed with ground up (food processor for a couple of seconds) hardboiled egg with the shell. Sometimes I will had broccoli florettes or ground up carrot.

When I put the dishes in each of the cages - it seems like the candy-man just made a delivery.

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:53 pm

Liz
Do you let the seeds dry after you soaked them and then mix with eggfood? Like the way sally told me right .

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 8:26 pm

No, actually I soak about 1/2 cup of Soak Seed for 12 - 24 hours with 1 teaspoon of cider vinegar mixed in (helps keep the bacteria from growing I understand). Then I rinse (really well) and drain even better and mix it right away with the processed hardboiled egg and other veggies I add other veggies. I serve it right away. I had never heard of letting soaked seed dry out - what would be the point of soaking it?

It's worked for me and my finches this way for over over a year now.

Post by **Sally** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 8:43 pm

Actually, I didn't make myself clear on the soaked seed. After it has soaked for 8 hours, and I have drained and rinsed it, I leave the jar tilted on the drainboard (I use a canning jar fitted with screen on the top), so the seed is still moist in the morning. I am going to try Liz's method, as I could just prepare a jar of seed at dinnertime, then it would be ready to drain, rinse, and serve the next morning--lots easier to keep track of.

When I was doing sprouted seed, I had to watch it very carefully for any signs of it being 'off', and I never have that problem with the soaked seed, since it is being used fairly quickly.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:04 pm

Right Sally, like just now I put some soak seed in a plastic container with a teaspoon of cider vinegar - I don't measure, I just pour about that much in - then I add the water - plenty as the seed seems to absorb quite a bit. I then stir the mixture to ensure the vinegar gets throughly mixed throughout and am now leaving the container on the back of the stovetop til morning. When I will pour it all into a fine metal sieve and rinse it with LOTS of clear water. Then I jiggle the sieve and bounce it up and down a while til it stops dripping. Then if I have time, I'll sit the sieve on a dishtowel to help drain it more. After that, simply pour the seeds into a good sized container and mix in the processed hardboiled egg (and veggies if desired). Mix thoroughly and scoop out whatever your finches will eat onto a small flat dish. There will probably be leftovers. I have plastic lids that I use to serve the soak seed/egg mixture - they are about 2" across and their edges are about 1/4" high. The finches perch on the edges and eat just about all of the egg/soak seed mix.

I put these dishes in each cage in the morning and pick them up when I get home from work. Having shallow dishes allows the mixture to dry out some during the day instead of remaining too wet and going 'off'.

The remaining/leftover soak seed/egg/veggie mix that I didn't serve out yet gets covered and put in the fridge. It usually lasts me 3 days.

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:13 pm

LIZ AND SALLY
THats what i am going to try will let you know in a few days how they like it thanks for the help bcamp

gomer · Post by **gomer** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 6:23 am

Just to add to what Liz and Sally shared.
soaked and sprouted seeds have different properties,Acids and vitamins.they are available at different stages off growth.As the seed is soaking it is developing these acids and vitamins,When a seed has its shoot just starting, it is at its optimum amount off acids and vitamins. As the sprouted seed develops more, the plant uses all nutrients available for growth.Which ever one your birds eat,is a lot better then eating a dry seed diet.
gomer

Geordie · Post by **Geordie** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 6:23 am

On the subject of soaked seed, I have one dish with mixed seed which I add a tiny bit of boiling water to in order to soften it a bit, when it cools down I put it in the cage, they love it, but I need to take it out after half a day or so just to make sure it doesn't get moldy. They still have their regular dry seed and other goodies of course.

gomer · Post by **gomer** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 6:04 am

if you want it to last all day put avicleans or virkon s in it.I use avicleans by vetafarm.I soak enough seed for 6 days (that's all my container will hold)and keep it in the fridge.I put it in the aviary in the morning,and don't collect the left overs if any until the next morning.you can also use the avicleans or virkon s.in their drinking water if you don't wish to change water daily.

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 8:58 pm

In the US, there is Sparkle by Morning Bird and KD Water Cleanser by Dr Rob Marshall. The water feeder is squeeky clean even after 2-3 days and helps to establish a stronger level of natural resistance and promoting good bowel health in young chicks.