Sprout Pics and step-by-step pics

[Shirley]

Here's a pic of my "big bird" sprouts -- about 6 days old in the fridge...from China Prairie.

http://shirleymorgan.com/misc/BF/P2151074.JPG

and here's pics I just took to set up some little bird sprouts I have from Canada (I also have them from China Prairie after I use these up, both are nearly the same)

http://shirleymorgan.com/misc/BF/Sprout-steps.jpg

Hope this helps...it's really easy using the EasySprout Sprouter.

<!--endemo--> <!--TEMPLATE: skin_global, Template Part: signature_separator-->

[Shirley]

OK, here's Day 2, 48 hrs later...they were done soaking about this time yesterday, but they are still on the counter in the "sprouting" stage...being rinsed once a day. By this time tomorrow, or by tomorrow morning, they will be sprouted enough to put in the fridge so they will slow their growth down considerable. Overgrown sprouts taste bitter, and the nutrition does not increase as they grow more. Once the germinate, the nutrition increases. They are growing in the shade, or dark, not in the sun. And they are wet from their morning rinse.

This is a large file, about 245KB, (large for dialup) so I'm linking to the site, rather than having it show here. I've circled many of the little sprouted "tails" in red, and I enlarged it a lot so you can see it real easily. Tomorrow I'll take another photo so you can see the "ready to eat" stage, although I did serve these up to everyone today. They LOVE them!

Just click the link to see them...

http://shirleymorgan.com/misc/BF/sprouts-a.jpg


The ones that have sprouted are as long as they need to be - but we want more to sprout, so we give them another day, or another 12 hrs.

[Shirley]

Here are the same sprouts today...taken at 1:00. I should have checked them either late last night or early this morning as they are just a tad overgrown, but the birds are devouring them, and they are now in the 'fridge.

http://shirleymorgan.com/misc/BF/Sprouts-B.jpg

Only let them sprout until the tiny sprouts barely grow. then refrigerate them and it slows their growth substantially and they last many days.

The links for purchasing all the equipment is in the Links forum "Practical Links".

If you only have one bird and don't want to spend the money, you can make your own with double butter tubs and punch holes in the bottom of one of them.

Oh.. there's two links in "Sprouting for Your Birds" too. The other post here in this same forum.

[gary&chloe]

Shirley has done it again. What great sprouting information. I got one of these sprouting containers at the Bird Fair with seeds. I wanted to start this Saturday and lo and behold...

Shirley already has the info right here for me.

HEAH... How about a DVD showing how to do each step ??? A special just for the month of December... $19.95. Make great stocking stuffers for all bird lovers.

If you really love your bird, you can't do without this DVD.

[Shirley]

Gosh, I wrote that in April 2005!

Well... instead of a sprouting DVD... how about a Cooking with Cockatoos or something and Troy can host it? (He's already guest-co-hosted a cooking show on TV here in the midwest... one show...)

[Ellen K. Cook, DVM]

Hi Sharon-

I noticed your post about sprouting and wanted to show you this thread. I sprout for my birds and have not had mold problems at all. It ususally takes a little over 24 hours for the seeds to sprout and then I refrigerate them and sprout a new batch when needed ~ every 5 days or so. It is really easy when you use Shirley's method.

[scotty]

I noticed seed that falls in to my plant below my canary cage manages to send out green shoots can I feed that to my birds:confused:

[Kirby]

I noticed seed that falls in to my plant below my canary cage manages to send out green shoots can I feed that to my birds:confused:


Hmmm.... I don't know if I would or not.
Mainly because the soil that is usually found in every day household plants has been treated with a fertilizer. I know you can buy plants that have been grown in organic soil with no pesticides or fertilizer.

Unless you've repotted your plant into organic soil then MAYBE

I know Shirley's sprouts would be fresh but who knows how long the sprouts in the pot have been there as well as the seeds... ewww bacteria lol

I'd trust Shirley's steps more than soil in a pot (but that's just me :) ) :wub:

[gary&chloe]

When can I expect delivery of my Cooking with Cockatoo's DVD. Include sprouting in the DVD. And have Troy autograph each one. You never know.

[Shirley]

You're on to something there, Gary! Troy and Cooking with Cockatoos! That would be a hoot and very helpful indeed (Troy has appeared on regional TV in cooking shows) :emot-danc

[Deanna]

Shriley, thanks for taking your time to be so detailed with the sprouting technique. This was very informative and I'd like to try it. I've sprouted for us humans in the past, but never thought to refrigerate the sprouts in their prime to slow the growth.

:thanx:

[Shirley]

:thanx: ! My pleasure!:wub:

[Shirley]

Thought I'd bring this sprouting thread back to the top since someone mentioned sprouting recently. This was originally posted back in April 2005.

[Nolan's Mom]

I bought sprouted beans at Whole Foods once a while ago and Nolan totally turned his nose up at them :p Do you think he would like them better if I sprouted them at home?

[Shirley]

Hard to tell, but I've yet to meet a bird who doesn't love these sprouts - canaries to macaws! They are sprouted only til the little "tails" show - they aren't sprouted the way they are in the grocery. And they are a blend of seeds/grains that birds "should" eat. They aren't just mung beans and alfalfa sprouts like we get at the grocery. :)

[Eriisu-chan]

Rach, I'm sure if you ate them (or pretended to) and then acted as if Nolan wasn't allowed to have them, and then left them within reach "by accident", he'd probably LOVE them! :funny:

[all4stvoyager]

I kind of thought it was risky to buy sprouts at the store and feed to the fids...there is a high risk of mold or something along those lines?

[Shirley]

No, they just like the variety of the bird sprouts - and they like them barely sprouted -- not with the long stems and roots. :D

[Jim]

I kind of thought it was risky to buy sprouts at the store and feed to the fids...there is a high risk of mold or something along those lines?Yes Sara there are risks buying sprouts from a store. Sprouts can grow bacteria if not rinsed well and even then some people heat them before offering them to the bird(s). Also, fwiw, most sprouts are highest in nutation when first sprouting or just soaked over night.