sprouting seeds?

[LuxandLolita]

So a few days ago i found my old sprouting kit and sprouted some bird seed for the finches. About how long should i let them grow before feeding the sprouts to them?
Seeds are a regular finch diet

[nixity]

You don't want to actually let them grow, you just want them so that they're just barely breaking through the husk.
This is called "chitting."
Once the tip is about 1/8" long it's too long to feed in my opinion, because the value is wasted.

They will eat them, but the protein content isn't the same as if you're feeding right before the seed splits or just after. Once it's allowed to progress past that point the seed puts all it's protein and energy into producing the sprout and the nutrition is lost.

It's fine to feed it for enrichment if they like playing with the sprouts too, but nutritionally it's not really all that beneficial.
This is a picture of sprouted seed right at the "chitted" stage where the sprouting process should be stopped and the seeds fed to the birds.
http://www.gouldiansgalore.com/Photo_Al ... prouts.jpg

[LuxandLolita]

Oops haha they are startijg to poke leaves,think i left them to long? i thought that was soaking haha! There is a brown seed that grew two inches in three days

[nixity]

Sounds like maybe japanese millet?
That one grows incredibly fast for me It's usually the first to chit and within less than 24 hours can grow as much as 1/4"!!
When I see those popping open I immediately stop because I know if I go any further it'll be too far gone!

[LuxandLolita]

Probably as it is a good two inches maybe more but not less! Im sure the babies will like the sprouts, should i give them the whole sprout, seed and all?