TOXIC SPROUTED SEED

[vettepilot_6]

Only way I could supply sprouted seed in Mackay was to grow it properly in Styrene boxes you get from Grocery stores....had 4 going at different times so I could put 1 in every week ......Hope you have good luck in the future its not good loosing finches..

[Tiaris]

Half-ripe seeding grasses would be the best alternative to sprouted seed. I wonder if you still sprouted some using Virkon S (or F10) using the Fidler method and did it in larger batches and immediately froze it down then later feed it out frozen whether this would overcome the problem. I always favoured this to save on daily chores - just do a month worth at a time.

[Finchman1]

When I sprout seed I wash it first ,strain the water .Then I soak it with water and add some bleach .I then put the containers in a heated box.
The seeds sprouts with 12- 18 hours,Then I rinse and strain it again.
I then mix it with frozen vegies and freeze these in small containers until it is needed.
I only feed out small portion every day.Only feed what the birds will eat within a few hours to stop it going off.

[Lukec]

What type of containers are you guys using to freeze?... must it be air tight or do chinese containers suffice.

[jusdeb]

My bird bread ..

200g maize meal
60g any flour
2 eggs (shells can be included )
1 tin pureed apple baby food

Then to this I add 1 carrot and an apple or a corn cob ( stripped ) or a handful spinach anything really so long as it equals 2 serves veg ...the veg is put into a food processor first .

Bake at 190 for 30 minutes . Then cut and freeze .

I add a little Ornithon Vitamins to the mix (when I remember )

[Tiaris]

Chinese containers would be fine if they have lids. I use plastic lidded ice-cream or milk seed containers for any finch food I freeze. The most important consideration when freezing large quantities of sprouted seed is to ensure it is not so moist that it forms a solid block which has to be scraped apart. If drained well & stirred regularly throughout the sprouting process it freezes as a loose mix which can be easily scooped/spooned out without having to bust a brick. I also feel that the Fidler/Virkon S method of sprouting poses far less fungal/bacterial risk than alternatives as the seed is always in contact with the disinfectant solution and this is never rinsed "clean". It is just strained/drained off and allowed to sprout, then frozen. I doubt any extra heat would need to be applied in NQ to get rapid sprouting.

[Finchman1]

Yes I use chinese containers with lids.
I recently spent 3 weeks in Far Nth QLD up past cairns and it was not that warm compared to other years when I have been there at the same time
Kenny if I am not wrong your winter there was cool compared to other years.

[desertbirds]

Personally i would be completely giving up on sprouted seed after that. Why not just grow plenty of fresh greens/half ripe seeds and go with that. Ive had reasonable results without soaked seed/cakes/softfoods ect. Just go all natural.

[Tiaris]

I agree, 20 dead birds is too costly a lesson not to learn from it. Grasses should be seeding prolifically up that way over the next 6 months at least anyway.

[Myzomela]

Just watch for ergot or other fungal growth which can spoil seeding grasses during the wetter months- it presents as a sticky discolouration on the seeding head.
Try picking them early in the growing season and freezing them.