by Crazy Bird Lady » Thu Apr 22, 2010 7:51 pm
This is my routine with sprouts:
i will grow my sprouts for 2-3 days at room temperature, using apple cider vinegar and water to rinse them at least twice a day.
Then i put them into a container with paper towels at the bottom to absorb any moisture, which then goes into the fridge.
The next morning i take the paper towels out, so that moisture is removed. The sprouts will store for another 3-4 days.
I take out a portion to feed my birds, and rinse again with apple cider vinegar and water.
THEN i soak them in warm water for a few minutes, as feeding refridgerated food to birds is very bad for them - it can cause all kinds of serious digestion problems.
After the warm soak i put them into seed cups. i have normal seed cups, but also have mesh seed cups that allow things like sprouts to drain properly. these are great as they stop moisture building up and spoiling the seed.
In warmer months i will leave the sprouts in the cages for 1-3 hours, depending on the temperature. in the cooler months i leave the sprouts for 4 hours MAX - but it all depends on the weather - if its windy, sunny, calm, cold... Smelling the sprouts is often a good way to know whats going on with them.
I smell my sprouts from the time they have their initial soak, right thru to when i remove the seedcups from the cages - if they smell at all different from the usual smell, then they have been left too long, and you need to reduce the time in the future. the normal smell is hard to describe kinda sweet but kinda like nothing too. if the smell increases, or it smells sour the seeds have to go.
And, you can always taste the sprouts too! this is something im only just starting to do, but im finding it very helpful!
parrots arent mere ornaments, and they're hardly "just a pet" they are intelligent and emotional creatures who want our companionship. As a bird owner, its a pleasure to make my parrots lives as happy, enriched and healthy as possible