Sprouting Seeds

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The seeds preferred by your pet bird can be sprouted and offered

in this form.  The advantage of this strategy is that sprouted

seeds have a lower oil content, and feeding them assists the

seed junkie in making the transition from seeds to more fleshy

foods, such as vegetables and fruit.



Seeds can be sprouted within a plastic wrap-covered cake pan.

First, the seeds to be sprouted should be soaked in water

overnight.  Next, the bottom of the cake pan is covered with wet

paper towels, after which a single layer of soaked seeds is

placed on top of them.  Plastic wrap is then tightly fitted over

the top of the pan and a few holes are created in the covering.

The pan is then placed in a warm environment and the paper towels

are checked and remoistened daily.  If the seed is of good

quality, sprouts should be forthcoming within 2-5 days.  They

should be rinsed several times in cold water and stored in the

refrigerator to prevent bacterial and fungal contamination.