How to Sprout Seeds for Canaries

Canaries enjoy sprouted seeds, which provide valuable protein.

Treasured for their lively song and bright colors, canaries have become popular pets. These diminutive cousins of finches need a varied diet that mimics the food they became adapted to eating as wild birds in the Canary Islands, including seeds, mineral supplements, fruits and veggies, and protein. Sprouting seeds will add to their nutrition and appeal. You can use two different methods to sprout seeds safely.

Things You'll Need

• Two large paper towels
• Water
• Baking sheet or plastic tray with a raised edge
• 1/4 cup of seeds, such as alfalfa, mung bean or sunflower
• Wide-mouth jar
• Cheese cloth
• Rubber band
• Specialized germination jar (optional)

Instructions

Paper Towel Method

1. 

   Sprouting occurs when the seeds split, producing hairlike beginnings of roots and stems.

   Soak the paper towels thoroughly and lay one sheet flat on the baking sheet or tray.

2. Rinse the seeds and spread them over the paper towel in a thin, even layer. Cover with the other wet paper towel.

3. Keep the paper towels moist and the seeds covered. After the first 24 hours, check every six to 10 hours for germination.

4. Remove sprouted seeds from the towels. Their rootlets can grow into and stick to the towels.

Jar Method

1. 

   Feed sprouted seeds to your canary before the seeds develop leaves.

   Fill the jar about halfway with water. Add seeds to the water.

2. Cut the cheesecloth so that it fits over the mouth of the jar, with about 2 inches around the edge. Cut a second piece the same size.

3. Place both layers of cheesecloth over the mouth of the jar. Fasten the cloth down with the rubber band. Place the jar in a spot that is warm but not sunny.

4. Soak the seeds for at least 12 hours and then pour off the water through the cheesecloth.

5. Rinse the jar twice, pouring the water out through the cheesecloth each time. Repeat the process every 12 hours or so.

Tips & Warnings

• For your canaries, you can sprout commercial seed mixtures, which typically contain mung beans, wheat, Niger, safflower, sorghum, millet and buckwheat, or you can purchase these types of grains and seeds separately for sprouting.

• Sprouted seeds are especially important food for birds that are breeding or molting, periods when they need additional protein.

• If the germinating seeds have mildewed, throw them out. Do not feed them to your canary. Mildew or mold can be a problem in the damp environment needed for sprouting, especially in the confines of the paper towels. Watch for discolored or foul-smelling seeds or sprouts.

References

• B & B Pet Stop: Canaries
• East Side Animal Hospital: Feeding a Canary
• Pet University: Canaries
• Virginia Cooperative Extension: Sprouting Seeds for Food
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.: Agriculture and Consumer Protection: Major Grains Used in Bird Seeds

Resources

• The Canary's Nest; The Canary Primer; Marvin B. Walton