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Conference 7.286::pet_birds

Title:Captive Breeding for Conservation--and FUN!
Notice:INTROS 6.X / FOR SALE 13.X / Buying a Bird 900.*
Moderator:VIDEO::PULSIFER
Created:Mon Oct 10 1988
Last Modified:Tue Jun 03 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:942
Total number of notes:6016

89.0. "Home Grown, oops, I mean Sprouting Seeds! 8^}" by SMURF::HORNER () Fri Jan 06 1989 13:57

    Well Jane...here goes!  
    
    			    SPROUTS
    
    The birds would sell themselves on corners for a hand full of sprouts!
    
    Use any seed you have on hand (bird seed that is)  Millet sprays
    are good, sunflower seed, safflower seed, niger, rape, flax...I
    guess the sunflower and millets are the easiest to get.
    
    Sprouting is a good test of the quaity of the seed you bye too!
    If when sprouting, less than 90% sprout, you have old dead seed!
    
    But anyway...
    
    Soak the seed overnight in water like you would if you were going
    to use legumes...  Then drain the seeds well, very well and you
    can get some Mouldex at most pet shops to eliminate the possibility
    of growing any evil spores in the seed.
    
    Then, place these seeds in a mason jar.  (Use the Ball Lids with
    the removable middle section) Place screening material or cheese
    cloth over the mouth of the jar, and screw on the lid.  Leave the
    jar tilted downward so excess water runs off the seed, place near
    a sunny window and rotate the jar several times a day.  When doing
    this, do not use a lot of seed.  You don't want seed laying on top
    of one another...  If they seem to dry out... use a spray bottle
    to mist them VERY lightly.
    
    Just please, use the utmost care when sprouting seeds to be sure
    that mould does not grow in there.  Mould will do some awful things
    to a birds well being.
    
    Jean H
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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89.1health nut's point of viewFREKE::NADREAUTue Jan 10 1989 11:4316
     Hello all,
          This is my first addition to this file...
     Although I am not a bird owner at this time, I am a bird lover
     always. My wife is a bit of a health food "nut", so I always have
    some sprouts around the house. Jean I think I could simplify your
    growing process. First of all seeds will grow just as quickly in
    the dark as they do in light...ie. when you plant a seed in the
    ground it gets no light for weeks. I grow all my sprouts in a dark
    corner of my living room. This should also get rid of the problem
    of the seeds drying out and having to be watered again. I hope this
    will help you to grow sprouts quicker and with less bother...
    
                  PS I love this file... 8^)
    
                       -<JOHN>-
    
89.2Seeds pleeeezzzz??TOPTEN::LEONARDWed Jan 11 1989 14:276
    Where's the best place to buy 'fresh' seed??  There's an AGWAY/Farmers
    Co-Op near home...  if this isn't a good idea, would someone point
    me in the right direction?? Is a health food store likely to have
    good seed???
    
    			Jane
89.3Mushrooms are fungus and grow in the dark....;-)WOODRO::VALERIWed Mar 15 1989 15:1920
    It's been a long time since I've been here, and there is not much
    activity, but about sprouting...
    
    John, thanks for the suggestion...but...is there not more chance
    of growing mould in the dark? See, if the seeds are in the sun to
    sprout, and you rinse and replace water daily, then you almost limit
    the mould issue to 0.  Mould and birds is a serious issue!
    
    When you sprout your seeds, do you use any thing like 'Mouldex'
    to treat the seed before you sprout them?
    
    And, I find that Agway is the best place.  They turn their stock
    over so quickly! the prices are right and if they have any questions
    about quality either they warn you or will refuse to sell it.
    Afterall,they support our livestock...the want to keep things fresh
    and clean and all!
    
    Jean H
    (Back for another Week!)
    
89.4I guess I'm the one in the dark!ZEKE::NADREAUFri Mar 31 1989 21:0913
      Hi all,    
          Sorry for the long time away! I had no idea that mold was
    such a big problem for birds. I am no bird expert by a long shot,
    I only hope that my 2cents worth didn't cause any harm to any of
    our feathered friends out there in DEC land! 8-)
    
    I love this notes file!  now all I need to do is win Mega Bucks
    this weekend so that I can buy my first "dream bird" a hand raised
    grey!   hey... I guy can have a dream cant he?
    
                    keep the info flowing ;-)
                          -<JOHN>-