Sprouting Seeds, Grain and Pulses
By Jennifer Jones ~ Scottish Cockatiel Association
Sprouted seeds, grain and pulses, will add important nutrients to your birds’ diet as they contain a plentiful supply of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, chlorophyll and protein. Unfortunately, bird keepers are often discouraged from using this method of nutrition as they believe the procedure is difficult or they are concerned, as I was, about the sprouts becoming contaminated with fungal or bacteria growths which can be fatal for our birds. Sprouting is easy – as long as you follow a few simple guidelines and using Birdcare ‘Aviclens’ in the water can prevent any bacteria and fungal growths.
The first stage of sprouting is to soak the dry seed in water for 8 – 12 hours, causing the seed, which contains both the root and the shoot of the new plant, to germinate. As the seed swells to at least twice its size, it becomes far more nutritious compared to other raw foods. As the sprouted seed is growing, it contains high levels of vitamins, particularly A, C, E and B, all trace minerals such as selenium and zinc that are vital for fertility, and an abundant amount of digestive enzymes. Good quality protein is essential for growing chicks and sprouts contain a more efficient form of protein, high in amino acids, which is easier to absorb. Enzymes are protein molecules that are necessary for digesting food, breaking down proteins, carbohydrates and fats. They are also responsible for extracting and absorbing nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Sources of digestive enzymes are raw fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts and, of course, live sprouts.
My favourite seeds for sprouting are alfalfa, wheat (preferably organic) and mung beans, as these are very easy to sprout and readily consumed by my cockatiels. You can also try sprouting sunflower, whole oats, millet, etc. Alfalfa contains all known vitamins and minerals necessary for life, is highest in natural digestive enzymes, and contains four times more vitamin C than most citrus fruit. Herbicides, insecticides and fungicides are used when wheat is grown and to avoid these, buy organic wheat that is available from health food shops. Sprouted mung beans are delicious to eat as they taste like fresh peas and are high in protein. Millet can be more difficult to sprout but it is an excellent source of iron and B vitamins and is also a rich source of digestive enzymes. The high level of starch contained in millet is transformed into glucose during germination and is readily absorbed into the digestive system.
Some seeds only take 24 hours to germinate, others take between three and four days, but if the sprouts are allowed to grow for too long, they can become bitter in taste. Mung beans are at their best after three days and wheat should be allowed to sprout until the shoot appears, approximately three to four days. Alfalfa needs to sprout for 5 – 6 days, when the shoot is approximately half an inch in length, and then allow them to green up by exposing the alfalfa sprouts to light, especially sunlight. At this stage, the green shoots contain chlorophyll pigments that can help inhibit the spread of bacteria, fungi and other organisms, and strengthen the immune system. Alfalfa seeds are very tiny but they grow at a tremendous rate – one rounded teaspoon of seed will fill a twelve-ounce jam jar after only five days! To provide a continuous supply of sprouts to feed your birds, particularly in the breeding season, prepare a fresh batch each day.
I used to sprout seeds, beans and grain separately because of the different germination times but, recently, I have found a mix of germination seeds specifically for parakeets. This mix contains millets, whole oats, wheat, mung beans, safflower, lettuce seed, buckwheat, milo and dari and is ready to be fed to the birds after an initial soak in water for six hours and a germination period of 48 hours at room temperature. If you buy a mix of seeds, make sure that it is a ‘germination’ mix rather than a ‘soak seed’ mixture. Soak seed mixtures supplied by seed companies are intended for soaking overnight to make the seed easier to digest but are often not suitable for sprouting – they either contain seed that requires different germination times or they contain groats, which will not germinate. Germination seed mixtures are also available for canaries and parrots.
The basic equipment that you need for sprouting is a large jam jar, a piece of muslin or net cloth and an elastic band. Alternatively, a sprouting kit consisting of three plastic trays with a perforated base and a drainage tray that forms the bottom of the tower, is available from health food shops and garden centres. The best sprouting container that I have found is actually a microwave oven steamer. This is a round plastic container with a vented clear lid, with an inner container that is perforated at the bottom rather like a fine sieve. This inner container has small legs that sit on the bottom of the outer container which acts as a reservoir. It is so much easier to use; you simply take out the inner container with the seed, rinse under running water and replace in the outer container. Excess water simply drains into the outer container. Sprouting kits come with full instructions but if you are using a jam jar, the procedure is as follows:
1. Rinse the seeds or beans well and place in the jar. Cover with water containing ‘Aviclens’ and leave to soak overnight in a warm, dark place.
2. Next morning, rinse the seeds thoroughly with fresh water, cover with the net cloth secured by the rubber band, and leave to drain. It is important to drain well or the seeds will rot. Return to the dark. Do this twice a day until the seeds begin to sprout.
3. When the sprouted seeds are ready, soak them in water containing ‘Aviclens’ for ten minutes, drain and feed them to your birds.
Additional nutrients can be added by sprinkling a mult-vitamin/mineral powder over the sprouts – I use Birdcare ‘Daily Essentials 3’ as it contains extra amino acids.
Good hygiene is essential and it is very important to clean containers thoroughly by using a broad-spectrum disinfectant and cleanser that kills fungi and bacteria. Always remove uneaten sprouts at the end of the day, especially during hot weather.
Our birds will benefit enormously if they are offered sprouted seed two or three times a week and breeding birds can be given almost unlimited quantities for rearing their young. Sprouts are also an excellent food for humans and if you eat them yourself, especially alfalfa, you will also have improved health and vitality!
