If you use the water additive that keeps the birds water fresh over a few days you could soak the seed with some of that added to the soaking water.
I use Multi cleanse to keep the water fresh and that can also used for soaking seed.
Sprouting Seed
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flap
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- Posts: 1251
- Joined: 20 Jul 2010, 08:54
- Location: Perth, WA
- Location: Perth WA
I have just had my first (failed! 
) attempt at sprouting seed but was pretty haphazard with my approach so no surprises. Have planted the unsprouted seed to see if they will do something in the ground and will make a more concerted effort actually following instructions! However I have noticed that seeds are sprouting in the damp riversand at the bottom of the aviary. Is that going to be good for the birds? was going to pull them out but figured they can have access to fresh sprouts if they want. Not sure if there are any health hazards? I don't imagine it would be a huge quantity of sprouts anyway as we do sweep the surface of the sands a few times a week.
) attempt at sprouting seed but was pretty haphazard with my approach so no surprises. Have planted the unsprouted seed to see if they will do something in the ground and will make a more concerted effort actually following instructions! However I have noticed that seeds are sprouting in the damp riversand at the bottom of the aviary. Is that going to be good for the birds? was going to pull them out but figured they can have access to fresh sprouts if they want. Not sure if there are any health hazards? I don't imagine it would be a huge quantity of sprouts anyway as we do sweep the surface of the sands a few times a week.flaP
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E Orix
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- Posts: 2740
- Joined: 29 May 2009, 23:30
- Location: Howlong on NSW/Vic Border 30km from Albury
- Location: Howlong NSW
Firstly: what seed do I sprout. Any normal seed mix, if its finches just millets and canary seed. Parrots small parrot mix etc.
What ever just use your normal every day mix.
Simply put it in a plastic bucket and cover the seed with water and let it soak for about 3 hrs.
You can use Virkon S or a little bleach or nothing but rinse the seed a couple of times if you are using the last two.
Now drain it properly!!!!!!!!!!!
Soaked Seed
If you want to only feed soaked seed then what you have surpluse to the days needs put it in the freezer.After it's been in the freezer and it turns to a solid mass you haven't drained it enough. If it crumbles in your hand then you are draining it enough.
Feed out as required.
Sprouted(shot) Seed.
Treat it as the same as soaked seed but do not put it in the freezer,place it in a warmish place and generally within 24/48hrs the seed will start to crack and tiny buds appear.This is when the seed is at its optimum best.
I would then feed it out and what is left refrigerate, I would not freeze it as I feel the freezing damages the shoots and they dry out.
While it doesn't last as well as soaked seed it is better for your birds. BUT make sure it is rinsed properly and does not turn musty.
I must admit these days I only feed soaked seed because it is quicker and easier. I batch it and freeze it
What ever just use your normal every day mix.
Simply put it in a plastic bucket and cover the seed with water and let it soak for about 3 hrs.
You can use Virkon S or a little bleach or nothing but rinse the seed a couple of times if you are using the last two.
Now drain it properly!!!!!!!!!!!
Soaked Seed
If you want to only feed soaked seed then what you have surpluse to the days needs put it in the freezer.After it's been in the freezer and it turns to a solid mass you haven't drained it enough. If it crumbles in your hand then you are draining it enough.
Feed out as required.
Sprouted(shot) Seed.
Treat it as the same as soaked seed but do not put it in the freezer,place it in a warmish place and generally within 24/48hrs the seed will start to crack and tiny buds appear.This is when the seed is at its optimum best.
I would then feed it out and what is left refrigerate, I would not freeze it as I feel the freezing damages the shoots and they dry out.
While it doesn't last as well as soaked seed it is better for your birds. BUT make sure it is rinsed properly and does not turn musty.
I must admit these days I only feed soaked seed because it is quicker and easier. I batch it and freeze it
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flap
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- Posts: 1251
- Joined: 20 Jul 2010, 08:54
- Location: Perth, WA
- Location: Perth WA
what I did was soak a small quantity of seed for a bit under 3 hrs. then drained leaving a little moisture. the container was a small plastic one with lid, which I sat on top and angled to allow airflow. waited approx 36 hrs. but was worried about seeds being too dry so added a bit of water a couple of times. when no results and slight smell decided it hadn't worked. is the quantity of seed being soaked/sprouted likely to make a difference?
Also what is the benefit of soaked seed? (I get the point of sprouts but not sure about just soaking).
Also what is the benefit of soaked seed? (I get the point of sprouts but not sure about just soaking).
flaP
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E Orix
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- Posts: 2740
- Joined: 29 May 2009, 23:30
- Location: Howlong on NSW/Vic Border 30km from Albury
- Location: Howlong NSW
The biggest asset of soaked seed is it allows birds feeding chicks to eat and semi digest the food quickly and get it into the young birds they are trying to rear.
The major reason for parent birds only raising one or two chicks is their inability to feed their young quickly enough.
If there is any doubt then the last will be dropped off and so on.Their target is to get at least one chick to fledge.
You may have a huge amount of seed and other foods available but it still comes down to how quickly the parents can get the food suitable for their young.
I also feed pound cake (Sarah Lee)during the breeding season for exactly the same reason,it is easy to digest,the sugar and oil content gets converted to energy and must assist by the amount of cake the birds eat. In a big flight the parent birds will go to the cake first,soaked seed 2nd,livefood 3rd then the dry seed.
In the non breeding season it is still eaten readily by the birds.
There are ideas and methods being promoted all the time,some will work on one persons birds and not for another.
If your birds are active and healthy looking and you are getting full clutches fledging regardless of what you are doing your diet must be quite adequate. Birds do not have full clutches fledging if the diet is not correct.
If you are only getting single chicks fledging or parents continually going to nest but dumping their young,don't blame the birds,look at your management.It maybe the conditions they are kept in,another dominating pair of birds or your diet for them is in adequate.
The major reason for parent birds only raising one or two chicks is their inability to feed their young quickly enough.
If there is any doubt then the last will be dropped off and so on.Their target is to get at least one chick to fledge.
You may have a huge amount of seed and other foods available but it still comes down to how quickly the parents can get the food suitable for their young.
I also feed pound cake (Sarah Lee)during the breeding season for exactly the same reason,it is easy to digest,the sugar and oil content gets converted to energy and must assist by the amount of cake the birds eat. In a big flight the parent birds will go to the cake first,soaked seed 2nd,livefood 3rd then the dry seed.
In the non breeding season it is still eaten readily by the birds.
There are ideas and methods being promoted all the time,some will work on one persons birds and not for another.
If your birds are active and healthy looking and you are getting full clutches fledging regardless of what you are doing your diet must be quite adequate. Birds do not have full clutches fledging if the diet is not correct.
If you are only getting single chicks fledging or parents continually going to nest but dumping their young,don't blame the birds,look at your management.It maybe the conditions they are kept in,another dominating pair of birds or your diet for them is in adequate.
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gomer
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- Posts: 4484
- Joined: 23 Nov 2008, 17:41
- Location: Victoria
- Location: Victoria Australia
It should not mater how much is in each recepticle.I use four prs of two 10 L buckets, one inside the other,The internal one has small holes drilled in it to act ass a sieve after the soaking is finished.They hold about five kilos each,3 hrs is almost to much time to soak it,As the longer you soak it if you freeze it you will end up with a block of ice in the freezer.Also the seed drys out a bit while chitting And if you are concerned about it drying out keep turning it in the container every once and a while.This will keep it moist enough to chit.Adding water would have diluted down your anti bacteria solution or washed it off all together,This you dont want to happen.Also it should have a slight nutty smell to it,Which is ok.If it smells sour discard it, as it has turned,and somwhere the proccess has failed,This has never happened to me using Virkon-s.flab wrote:what I did was soak a small quantity of seed for a bit under 3 hrs. then drained leaving a little moisture. the container was a small plastic one with lid, which I sat on top and angled to allow airflow. waited approx 36 hrs. but was worried about seeds being too dry so added a bit of water a couple of times. when no results and slight smell decided it hadn't worked. is the quantity of seed being soaked/sprouted likely to make a difference?
Also what is the benefit of soaked seed? (I get the point of sprouts but not sure about just soaking).
Keeper of Australian Grass Finches
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Finchman
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- Posts: 28
- Joined: 30 Mar 2010, 21:08
- Location: NSW
I use normal finch mix,add a bit of red pannicum and canola.
Wash the seed in a bucket first and then rinse.
Soak seed in a bucket ,add in a small amount of bleach,let it soak for 6 hours .
rinse it again then drain the water,
Place the seed in chinese containers with holes in the lid,
Then I place mine in a heated box at around 28 degrees for 24 to 36 hours,
When it has just started to sprouted I remove it wash it again add a bit of bleach rinse again.
I then allow it to drain fro a few hours and freeze what I dont need straight away .
You only want the seed to just to start to sprout
Wash the seed in a bucket first and then rinse.
Soak seed in a bucket ,add in a small amount of bleach,let it soak for 6 hours .
rinse it again then drain the water,
Place the seed in chinese containers with holes in the lid,
Then I place mine in a heated box at around 28 degrees for 24 to 36 hours,
When it has just started to sprouted I remove it wash it again add a bit of bleach rinse again.
I then allow it to drain fro a few hours and freeze what I dont need straight away .
You only want the seed to just to start to sprout