Sprouting... Easy, Nutritious, Delicious

Sprouting is a surprisingly easy task. It is vital in most parrot diets as it would make up a large portion of their natural diet. Dried seeds are hard and on the most part- very dry. There was a paper published suggesting when a bird hulls (removes the seed case) it is also removing quite a large portion of the dry seed nutritional value. Sprouting bioactivates the seed, making it more digestible. It uses carbohydrates and fats to grow. This creates a food with excellent nutritional value including a vast variety of proteins and enzymes. Some of these enzymes can even assist your parrot in the breakdown of other foods within its diet! Sprouted seeds can be used in a variety of ways from being fed when just sprouted (highest nutritional value) to being used to grow until leaves are formed. There are many seeds and even nuts that can be sprouted these are mentioned below. * Sprouting time is in ( ) where F (fast 1-2 days sprouting time) M (medium 2-3 days) and S (slow 3-5+ days) 

• Lentils (F) 
• Peas (M) 
• Chickpeas (F) 
• Adzuki bean (S) 
• Mung Bean (F) 
• Soybean (sparingly) (S) 
• Sunflower Seed (S) 
• Safflower Seed (F) 
• Millet (M) 
• Oats (M) 
• Grain (M) 
• Canary Seed (M)
• Chia seeds (F) 
• Rapeseed (S) 
• Hemp seed (M)
• Buckwheat (M)
• Rice (brown or black is best) (S) 
• Quinoa (F* Very fast overnight in some cases)  
• Sesame seed (F) 
• Broccoli seed (F) 
• Alfalfa (it must be let grow until it has a leaf produced) (S) 
• Kale (M) 
• Amaranth (some discussion about this causing GIT upset but study only conducted in chickens so validity is questioned. Feed sparingly) (M) 
• Pumpkin Seed (S) 
• Papaya Seed (very high in nutrients can be sprouted in fruit) (S) 
• Whole Corn (S) 
• Flaxseed (M) 
• Some nuts can sprouted as well such as cashew, pecan, walnut, almond (S)

Sprouting is very easy, you just have to mimic the natural process where a seed falls into the soil and is repeatedly watered and dried. Copying this process is incredibly easy. You need to allow the seed to gain a lot of water and swell, then drain the water but keep the seeds moist (as they would be with the soil after rainfall) 

How to Sprout- 

1.    Soak all seeds overnight or for 8 hours. Be prepared for some seeds such as chickpea and mungbeans to absorb more water than expected so adding a cup of water per 20 seeds would be sufficient

2.    Remove seeds from soaking and drain (e.g. on a pasta strainer) then rinse until water runs clear. It is very important they are properly cleaned in this stage.

3.    Let the water drain from the sprouts while in a strainer and rinse a few times each day not allowing the seed to dry out (two to three times in a humid environment) *** Most important part is that the water must be completely drained away from the seed for it to sprout there are numerous ways to do this such as in a drink bottle with holes in it in the bottom, plastic bags with holes, large stainless strainers. There is no need to purchase a proper expensive sprouter, but it may provide convenience and there are  automatic sprouters that can be very useful as well. 

4.    Wait for the seeds to sprout --> this process may take up to five days. It is best to separate fast and slow sprouting seeds. 

5.    While the seeds are sprouting, on about the second day it is a good idea to start the next batch then there is a continual supply. 

6.    Sprouts can be stored in the fridge up to three days or frozen for later use **please refer to below caution**

**CAUTION**
Always always smell sprouts, if there is any smell throw them away and start again
Always feel the sprouts before feeding- any slimy feeling throw away and start again
Do not store for longer than 5 days, as microbes on the sprouts will begin to degrade them despite being in the refrigerator 

TROUBLESHOOTING-
Seeds not sprouting: 

• Most common issue is the actual seed may have been treated in some form to prevent sprouting. To avoid this purchase seeds produced in your country of residence rather than imported seeds. If issue persists on more than three tries perhaps search for alternative sources of seeds 
• Seed is constantly going mouldy or has a smell: The water may not be draining enough off the seed try getting a strainer or sprouting less amounts at once. Rinsing well before sprouting will also help. Washing with dilute apple cider vinegar or grape seed extract can also help. 
• Hard to find certain seeds such as chickpea, lentils, peas- amazingly the store purchased dry soup mix will sprout as mentioned above. 

DO NOT SPROUT (DANGEROUS) Large beans including kidney, lima, white, black, fava, pinto, anazi and sorghum seed Don't be discouraged by failure... it may take a few tries. One of the best place to get cheap seeds is the wild bird mix, and a legume mix for horses etc. at your local animal produce store and asian supermarkets often have dried clean seed perfect for sprouting.