FINCHforum

i was thinking of sprouting seeds for my finches does anyone know if they like them? also i read that you have to rinse them with a 5% bleach mixture then rinse with water before you give them to the birds, im nervous about this and bought some nature clean fruit &veg wash instead would this be ok to wash the sprouts with?Also are the colored seeds in the finch mix ok to sprout? why are those colored seeds in the mixture?

christine
I am not sure about the colored seeds,but I would sprout other seeds
The colored seed are coated with some kinds of vitamins I think. There are some good post on sprouting and soaked seeds and finch's do like them both,I would check out some of those post in search

I've read you can also use apple cyder vinegar instead of the bleach. That's what I've been using. I didn't like the idea of the bleach either.

Both my Finches and Cockatiel seem to like them and it's suppose to be very nutritious.
Renee

thanks i found out more about sprouting seeds, i shall try the apple cider vinigar

The colored seeds might be vitamins, but they add sugar to the seeds and it makes it mold quicker. Try some seed that have a tendancy to sprout quickly like white prosso or millet. You can also add Sparkle or KD Water Cleanser to the water which is obviously safe for finches.

what is k-d water cleaner and sparkle? can you buy these at a bird store.

Check out this link.
http://www.birdsrus.com.au/?page=154

From my experiance this is the easiest and safest way to sprout seed.As long as you can get virkon-s.

i use 2 of these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BioSnacky-Germina ... 240%3A1318 to sprout my seed they work very well, just make sure you rinse seed very well so you don't get any bacteria build up
paul.

I've only tried it twice, and I used apple cidar vinegar. I had a seed mix with no colored bits, but it was slow to germinate. Probably pretty old. Tossed out the rest of the seed... Though they liked what sprouted and I froze some of it since my Goldbreasts don't eat much. Although they say you can feed it frozen, they didn't seem interested in it until it had been in the cage a couple of hours and had defrosted. Guess maybe they don't smell it when it's frozen?

I think next time I'll try millet anyway. I have lots and they love it. And if it sprouts faster, less chance of bacteria building up.

I have stopped sprouting seeds. I give my birds daily soaked seeds that have soaked for 24 hours. Then I sprinkle on it whatever I want (shaved cuttlebone, feather fast, vitamins etc.)
They love the soaked seeds and you don't have to worry as much about bacteria.

I thought the sprouted had more vitamins in it? Or is the soaked seed just as good? Sounds easier too, 'cause of the 24 hour turn around time.

franny wrote:I thought the sprouted had more vitamins in it? Or is the soaked seed just as good? Sounds easier too, 'cause of the 24 hour turn around time.

i use versa laga easy soak it sprouts in about 24 hours this is when protein level are at their highest.
paul

franny wrote:I thought the sprouted had more vitamins in it? Or is the soaked seed just as good? Sounds easier too, 'cause of the 24 hour turn around time.

Franny, I am sure the sprouts are better for the birds. The soaked seeds also has a great advantage. I just don't prefer sprouting. I am soooo afraid of bacterial killing one of them.

dfcauley wrote:

franny wrote:I thought the sprouted had more vitamins in it? Or is the soaked seed just as good? Sounds easier too, 'cause of the 24 hour turn around time.

Franny, I am sure the sprouts are better for the birds. The soaked seeds also has a great advantage. I just don't prefer sprouting. I am soooo afraid of bacterial killing one of them.

lm also afraid of the bacteria sprouting seeds, right now im trying to do some with millet, i soaked the first day with apple cider vinager rinsed following directions but its been almost 3 days with no shoots yet.i think i will chuck them out and try soaked seed instead.

when I put seed in to sprout I always start off by using warm water with apple vinegar. have found that almost all of the seeds are ready to give to the birds after 24 hours. I soak them for about 12 hours then rinse and rinse again before feeding to the birds. havent lost any yet