FINCHforum

Chapter 6 of the DVD "At Home with Mike Fidler" where Mike shows you how to sprout seed and explains the significant nutritional benefits of feeding sprouted seed to birds.

Mike Fidler is the founder and CEO of the Save the Gouldian Fund, a non-profit research organization based in Australia dedicated to the conservation and restoration of the endangered wild Gouldian finch.

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Xdo4XkExes

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqzo0T3VBPk

Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Gyidk_1Swk

or simply go to YouTube and type in Mike Fidler

Thanks for the link I will try it this way tomorrow morning, great way for the birds to start the new year. And I love the idea that I can make more and freeze it safely.

Thanks, Janine

Happy New Year!!!

Bill

I have a question Bill. Do you think that the same job can be done with sparkle, as I am not even sure if Virkon S is even available here

Hi Janine,

Unfortunately, no. Sparkle is much much weaker than Virkon S.

But the good news is Mike's method of soaking for only 2 hours and then starting the draining and drying process is the safest approach to sprouting seed regardless of what disinfectant you use because you are not rewetting the seed.

Primarily you should be just fine with Sparkle except you won't have the long term freezer storage option. I have never tested it, but I'm guessing the max you should store your sprouts in the freezer using Sparkle would be about a week (maybe other forum members have better information from their experiences).

If you use Sparkle, I would rinse with new Sparkle water one time immediately after the 2 hour soaking period to remove particulate matter and then proceed per Mike's DVD. The new Sparkle water will replace the old Sparkle water and remain on the seeds while they dry. Rinsing beyond that with Sparkle water will rewet the seeds and slow germination. Rinsing with plain water rewets the seeds and removes the disinfectant, a double whammy!

Hope that helps

Bill

Janine, Virkon-S is available all over the internet so hopefully you won't have trouble finding it -- I know some suppliers of Gouldian products also carry it...