How to Sprout Bird Seeds

Nearly all pet birds enjoy seeds, but a diet based on dry seed can be very unhealthy. Luckily, the seeds your bird loves can easily be turned into nutrition packed sprouts. Most pet birds even prefer sprouts, which closely mimic foods they would eat in the wild.

Things You'll Need

• Seeds that can be sprouted
• Stainless steel or plastic mesh strainer
• Three wide mouth mason jars, without lids
• Clean hand towel

Instructions

1. Buy a variety of seeds to use for sprouting. You can buy a pre-made sprouting blend for birds or make your own. Don't use seed based bird diets for this purpose, because they contain added ingredients that will dissolve and make an unappetizing glop. Some good choices are mung beans, raw hulled sunflower seeds, millet, raw sesame seeds, dried whole corn, garbanzo beans and wheat berries.

2. Measure out a day's supply of the seed mixture into one of the jars. Depending on the size and number of birds you own, somewhere between 1 tsp. and 1/2 cup should be sufficient. The seeds will expand to about triple their volume after sprouting. Fill the jar about 3/4 full with water and cover with the towel. Allow the seeds to soak for 8 to 12 hours.

3. Pour the seeds and their liquid into the strainer, and rinse the seeds thoroughly under cold running water. Allow to drain partially. The seeds should be wet but not dripping. Wash the jar with soap and water. Return the soaked seeds to the jar. Cover with the towel.

4. Rinse the seeds two to three times a day. On the third day, rinse thoroughly once more, drain and feed the sprouts to your bird. You can safely leave them in their own dish in your bird's cage for up to eight hours. Any left over sprouts should be thrown out and the dish should be washed with soap and water.

5. Each evening, you can start a new batch using the jar you emptied that day. By keeping three jars of sprouts soaking or growing at all times, you will have fresh sprouts to feed your pet bird every day.

Tips & Warnings

• Health food stores are a great place to buy seeds and beans to sprout for your bird.

• If you are having problems with sprouts spoiling, you can try sprouting in a different location. Sprouts grown in a room with damp air tend to mold.

• Sprouts can be an excellent addition to any bird's diet, but they are especially beneficial for birds that refuse to eat fruits and vegetables.

• Any seed or bean that is unsafe to feed raw should not be sprouted for your bird. This includes kidney beans, soy beans and amaranth seed.

• Although sprouted seeds are very healthy, your bird should continue to receive pellets as the basis of his diet.

• Sprouts that appear moldy or smell sour have spoiled and must be discarded. Eating spoiled sprouts could make your bird ill.