FINCHforum

I tried to sprout some Birds R Us seed this weekend without much luck. I soaked it for 2 hours then drained it exactly like the Mike Fidler instructions. After 40 hours the white mix had about 1% of the seed sprouted and the black mix had none. I put the white in the freezer but kept the black mix out just to see if it will ever sprout and after 50 hours I have absolutely nothing. I plan on throwing the seed out for fear of mold but I just want to see if it will ever sprout.

The seed is still moist, it is in a room that is 70° with 40% humidity, it only recieves a small amout of indirect light. What could I have possibly done wrong?

I am trying another (smaller, experimental) batch, this time I am going to soak for 8 hours to see if it makes a difference.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

I use BIRDS R US products too. I soak my seeds for 4 hrs with vikron and drain it after that. I let it sit overnight and by morning its pretty much all sprouted. I wash and drain it real good and put it away in the fridge for daily feeding. Any excess I end up freezing it. This way works well for me. Hopefully....other people will chime in and give you more info. Good luck.

I've never had a problem with the Birds R Us white or black sprouting mix. Mine have always chitted fairly quickly, I do it just as directed in the Mike Fidler video.

Thank you dananday and Sally. I am going to continue experimenting but I am having my doubts.

Is it possible for seed to go bad? Too old? I have NO experience with Birds R Us or it's distribution policies. It certainly is packaged well.

I also follow the directions from the video and have never had a problem with the seeds not chitting.

Is it possible for seed to be bad?

Mark S wrote: I tried to sprout some Birds R Us seed this weekend without much luck.

Are you using "sprouting/soak seed" or normal finch seed? The seed specifically selected for sprouting works much better.

Ursula wrote: Are you using "sprouting/soak seed" or normal finch seed? The seed specifically selected for sprouting works much better.

I am using the sprouting seed, white mix and black mix. But really, shouldn't all seed sprout?

Mark S wrote:

Ursula wrote: Are you using "sprouting/soak seed" or normal finch seed? The seed specifically selected for sprouting works much better.

I am using the sprouting seed, white mix and black mix. But really, shouldn't all seed sprout?

Was going to say the same thing, if the seed is fresh it will sprout regardless of whether it is specifically a sprouting mix.

Well, the second attempt also failed. 10 hour soak, 28 hours sprouting time, 0% growth. I think that I just flushed $50 down the toilet. This whole Mike Fidler thing sure sounded like a great thing but second thoughts are starting to creep in.

Now a new dilemma, spend another $50 on a different supplier or try a different seed manufacturer?

I just sprout regular seed I buy (usually Volkmann brand) by soaking for 24H in about 1 inch of water with about 3 drops of apple cider vinegar for mold inhibition. Then I rinse and let it sit in a large strainer (spread thin) for over night or about 8-12 hours. Then I add a bit of extra virgin olive oil about a teaspoon per cup of sprouted seed. Either refrig or freeze depending on how long I want it to keep. Don't give up! Birds LOVE it!

I also tried a couple times with no luck, not too sure if I want to try again.

If it's not sprouting it's not fresh seed. You can sprout any mix that doesn't have those horrible little colored pellets in it. It's a good test to seed freshness.

Mark S wrote: Well, the second attempt also failed. 10 hour soak, 28 hours sprouting time, 0% growth. I think that I just flushed $50 down the toilet. This whole Mike Fidler thing sure sounded like a great thing but second thoughts are starting to creep in.

Now a new dilemma, spend another $50 on a different supplier or try a different seed manufacturer?

When you say 0% "growth" are you sure that nothing happened? The seeds don't really have to start growing a lot. They are actually the most nutricious when they just start "chitting", that is they are swollen and about to break open, or just break open a little. Once the shoots start growing they are not as nutricious anymore. That's why they are also sometimes referred to a "chitted" seed or just "soaked" seed...
I can only say that I am using ABBA soak seed for years and that my birds absolutely love it. They get a small amount fresh every day and all of them go for it (finches, budgies, parrotlets...).

I buy cheap plain old parakeet seed with nothing colored added. I add GSE to the water and soak overnight. It then takes some time to "chit" not grow. It works well and the birds love it. It's totally worth trying again. We all do it differently but the birds appreciate it.