Sprouting Question

[bonsaiguy]

Hi, I just had a question about sprouting food for my senegal, Sandy. I have not tried sprouts with her, but she does eat lots of other fresh veggies and fruits. Before I started sprouting though, I wanted to be on the safe side and ask: is there anything out there that is not good to sprout for parrots? Also, is there something you would suggest to start with, something that birds really enjoy? Thanks so much!

[Michael]

If you are doing it for the first time, I would suggest getting a sprouting mix for parrots. That way you know it's meant for parrots and that they are more likely to like it.

[entrancedbymyGCC]

I'd agree that a sprouting mix is a good place to start if you have access to one. The only thing I'm aware of that is not good to feed raw (for people too) and shouldn't be fed raw or sprouted are kidney beans, but I don't know for sure that there aren't other legumes or beans that have the same properties.

The sprouting mix I use has a number of smaller seeds in it I can't readily identify, but it definitely has peas, adzuki beans, chickpeas, fenugreek, alfalfa and a ton of other stuff. This article lists some good things to sprout, but if you buy a mix to start with you will see what your bird particularly likes.

[captwest]

I feed several sprouts to my birds and i've tried sprouting several different things with varying amounts of success, but here's a good link if you want to try sprouting ,http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww32e.htm you better watch out entranced i've been doing my homework . If you want to sprout stuff on your own just get a Qt mason jar and put some screen wire in the ring to use as a strainer, really pretty easy,no mess, no big deal or you can buy a fancy kit.

[pfinarffle]

I know you can't sprout flax seed. It apparently forms some sort of sticky goop that makes it hard to work with.

I sprout buckwheat, mung bean, quinoa, sunflower, kamut... whatever I can get from our local organic food store. Lots of great books on this subject. I own this book: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-Successful-Sprouting-Parrots/dp/1419684795/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1295100776&sr=8-1 as well as Phoenix Landing's "Nourish to Flourish" book http://phoenixlanding.org/books.html.

I just don't mess with sprouting beans for now because some are toxic unless cooked.