Soaking seed - hurry up!

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 10:53 am

To soak seed it takes anywhere from 12 to 24 hours at room temperature. What would happen if we warm it up a little. Would it speed up the soaking process or shorten the time required. Sometimes I've used very warm water to start the soaking process, but that cools down to room temperature pretty quick. Today I thought it might help to keep the water warm - so I poured about 6 cups of soak seed with water I had in a pitcher into a medium sized pot and put it on the stove at the lowest heat. That was doing next to nothing so I nudge it up a tiny bit. I'll see how it's doing in an hour. It sure would be nice to be able to have soak seed finished in an hour. That way I could boil a dozen eggs and after they sit in the hot water for 15 minutes - they'll be cooled within an hour; and I can mix the two.

Here's hoping...

CandoAviary · Post by **CandoAviary** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 11:00 am

Too hot of water can start to break down the enzymes, reducing nutritional value.
I have several sprouters and keep them on a constant rotation. That way you always have sprouts when needed. Gool luck with your experiment

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 11:11 am

I don't want that to happen. Just warm enough to soften the seeds sooner than 12-24 hours.

Rayray · Post by **Rayray** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 2:46 pm

Liz ,

nature needs its time ...

some breeders here cook the seeds for about 5 mins , but as said before
you loosing the good vitamins you need and want

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 4:46 pm

Hmmm well I guess the old fashion way is the best then.

Rayray · Post by **Rayray** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 4:28 pm

24 hours Liz ..24 hours thats all you need

Ray

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 4:55 pm

Except when I run out (the freezer is empty) and I forget to start soaking 24 hours before I run out!!

chrischris · Post by **chrischris** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 10:42 pm

I tried to soak seeds befor but have found that my goulds really don't take to it so I gave up. I've even tried lettuce leaves and greens but they are just not interested. It seem like a huge deal so I do do any of it anymore. Problem is when they breed and they have chicks to rear I supplement with seeds, dry and wet egg food, baby formula all mixed together in a seed cup for them. It seems to do the trick and I am also assured that the chicks are getting enough protein and vitamin in their diet. The mix has proven sucessful and really easy to make for the breeding pair with chicks.

Chris

Finch Fry · Post by **Finch Fry** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 11:56 pm

How do you do the seed soak? Do you just toss seed in a bucket of water or do you put it on wet paper or a sponge? How do you feed it to them?

What seed do you use? I have LG finch mix.. can i grow that stuff?

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 4:23 am

I use a kitchen hand strainer. I run water through the seeds for a few minutes and then set the strainer in a bowl of water overnight. The next morning I rinse the seeds and then again when I get home from work. The seeds don't need to sprout, you just need to see the seeds start to have the root barely emerge. After that I put the strainer in the refrigerator so they stop sprouting. You can sprinkle powdered vitamins, powdered kelp, or spirulina on the seeds when you offer it to your birds. Some folks use Sparkle, KD Powder, or some type of bacteria inhibitor to prevent it from going bad. A quick sniff and you can tell if it's fresh.

LG finch mix? Are you talking about the resting food from LGF.com? You can use that, but there is also seed mixes speficially for sprouting.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:20 am

I bought some soak seed from Bird R Us, but my birds prefer the ladygouldian seed mix soaked. I use the same method and soak it for 18-24 hours and rinse really well before giving it to the birds.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 7:37 am

I buy seeds specially for soaking and add about a tsp of ACV to the soaking seeds. This helps prevent bacteria growth.