Sprouted seed is an intricate part of the feeding routine in our aviaries. Sprouted seed is highly nutritious and easily digested. There are many different techniques in sprouting seed. Here, I have described the methods used in my aviary. I have used much more expensive methods in that I bought trays that stack on top of the other and you know what...it wasn't worth it.
Each morning I fill a quart jar (or pint jar depending on how much you need in a day). I fill it ½ full of white millet seed. I use white millet seed because it is cheaper but also because the slightly larger seed allows more air movement around the seed. More air movement means less bacterial and fungal growth. Using a single kind of seed rather than a mixture allows all the seed to germinate at about the same rate. I cover the seed with warm water and then go out to feed my birds. A half hour later, I rinse the seed well and refill the jar with water plus a splash of apple vinegar or sparkle by Morning Bird. (used to inhibit bacterial growth) I rinse the seed again that night and again the next morning.
The second day after the morning rinse, I drain off all the water and lay the jar on its side to maximize air circulation around the seed. I then rinse the seed thoroughly each morning and night until small roots just begin to emerge from the seed. It is at this point that the seed has the most nutritional value. The roots usually appear the second or third night depending on the weather. I use a jar each day and start a new jar each day so I usually have 2-3 jars of seed sprouting on the window sill at any given time.
I use a vegetable sprayer that comes standard on many kitchen sinks to vigorously rinse the seed all the way to the bottom of the jar. You could also dump the seed into a colander to rinse. The object it to rinse the seed very well until the water runs clear.
When my seed has just started to sprout, I mix it with a teaspoon of powdered bird vitamins** and trace mineral powder** before serving. If I am feeding the seed to birds feeding chicks or juvenile Gould's who need extra protein to speed the adult molt. Any leftover mixture is stored in the refrigerator until the next feeding.
Finches love sprouted seed and I have had no problems with bacterial or fungal infections in my birds since I started preparing their seed in this way. I have also seen an increase in chick survival and faster molting into adult feather. To me, this is a lot of benefit for a routine that takes about 5 minutes a day.
There is a treasure trove of information available on the internet regarding soaking, sprouting and germinating seeds. Here are a couple of links to information that I find very helpful when it comes to caring for my birds and offering the finest in sprouted seed. Here is also a link to my friend Michele of Fairest Finches, site. She carries all the products I use and is a very generous person with her time.
http://www.fairestfinches.com/page/page/4453937.htm
http://www.robirda.com/soakseed.html
http://www.parrotchronicles.com/septoct2002/germinate.htm
I hope that you find the sites as helpful as I have, and remember that there is always a risk that you take in using information found on the internet, and I can not be held responsible for any bacterial or fungal growth caused by a slightly less than sterling following of directions when it comes to sprouting.
Make a free website at Freewebs.com