Types of seeds for sprouts?

[sweetnlow]

I would like to try sprouting some seeds for my GC and budgie to try. I was wondering what type of seeds would work. I was going to try sprouting my budgie seed mix. The GC mix has fruit, nut and legumes among other things so that probably wouldn't work. I also have a dried kidney bean mix but I am not certain what types of beans it contains. I heard that some sprouted beans are not safe. Would the budgie mix be nutritious or should I try something else? What about sprouting just the dried red kidney beans but not the other types in the mix?

Thanks for the help
Amanda

[chinniechantel]

I don't understand sprouting either. I read all about it, but never found which beans to sprout?

[LovelySydney]

There are a lot of places online you can buy the seeds from. Thats what I do, its the easiest for me. Plus, I cant find my seeds elsewhere like at a whole foods or anything, so I really have to buy them online. I go to sproutpeople.com. They have bird seeds in a special category. I get the "little beaks" mix and my boys LOVE it. I got I think a 2 pound bag of it and its still nearly full. I didnt understand sprouting at all either but I also bought the kit from sproutpeople and it came with a nice piece of paper with directions on it - its so easy!! I highly recommend it.

[sweetnlow]

Thanks for the link. I always miss out on online deals like that. I won't buy outside of Canada due to customs charges and I don't use any credit cards so I am always limited with online purchases, plus I am impatient LOL
I may go to the Bulk Barn (a bulk food store) tomorrow. I am going to make a list of the seeds listed in the sproutpeople site and see what I can find.

[LovelySydney]

Oh good! I wish I could go someplace locally and buy the seeds, that would definitely be a nice thing to do. I forgot you were in Canada - I bet its hard to get shipping, with all the price changes. Good luck finding some seeds!!

[jenseits]

Originally Posted by sweetnlow

I would like to try sprouting some seeds for my GC and budgie to try. I was wondering what type of seeds would work.

Safflower seeds sprout really easily and those shouldn't be too hard to find in bulk at a good grocery store.

[chapala]

Grains are great for sprouting and very healthy. Combined with either soaked and cooked or fully sprouted (to 1/2" tails) legumes (ONLY mung, adzuki, whole lentil, whole dried pea or garbanzo), two parts grains to one part legumes equals complete protein. Good whole grains to buy at stores with bulk bins include wheat, kamut, hulless barley, spelt, quinoa, raw buckwheat, millet and whole oats. I suggest at least 3 to 4 different grains for your mix, store them mixed up in a jar, and just take out what you need to sprout each time. The mixes I make up last me about two months.

Grains are ready as soon as the little white tips (roots) show. Then they should be allowed to dry somewhat (not dripping wet, not completely dry), and they'll keep refrigerated for several days. The grains can be fed after overnight soaking, draining and rinsing, but are more nutritious if you let them sprout for another 24 to 36 hours.

Legumes (only the recommended kinds above) need to be fully sprouted because of anti-nutrients they contain. They should be sprouted to have tails minimum 1/2" long (lentils okay at 1/4"). That will take around 24 hours more than it takes for grains.

[Emmilyy]

Originally Posted by sweetnlow

Thanks for the link. I always miss out on online deals like that. I won't buy outside of Canada due to customs charges and I don't use any credit cards so I am always limited with online purchases, plus I am impatient LOL
I may go to the Bulk Barn (a bulk food store) tomorrow. I am going to make a list of the seeds listed in the sproutpeople site and see what I can find.

I was going to go to Bulk Barn to get stuff as soon as i can, too! thanks for asking about this - i was wondering what to get!

[sweetnlow]

Originally Posted by chapala

Grains are great for sprouting and very healthy. Combined with either soaked and cooked or fully sprouted (to 1/2" tails) legumes (ONLY mung, adzuki, whole lentil, whole dried pea or garbanzo), two parts grains to one part legumes equals complete protein. Good whole grains to buy at stores with bulk bins include wheat, kamut, hulless barley, spelt, quinoa, raw buckwheat, millet and whole oats. I suggest at least 3 to 4 different grains for your mix, store them mixed up in a jar, and just take out what you need to sprout each time. The mixes I make up last me about two months.

Grains are ready as soon as the little white tips (roots) show. Then they should be allowed to dry somewhat (not dripping wet, not completely dry), and they'll keep refrigerated for several days. The grains can be fed after overnight soaking, draining and rinsing, but are more nutritious if you let them sprout for another 24 to 36 hours.

Legumes (only the recommended kinds above) need to be fully sprouted because of anti-nutrients they contain. They should be sprouted to have tails minimum 1/2" long (lentils okay at 1/4"). That will take around 24 hours more than it takes for grains.

Thanks so much for this post. It points me in the right direction. I hope my birds are as enthusiastic about the sprouts as I am

[maggy]

Yep you'll find the little guys like sprouts asmuch as the large types do. I've fed my BE2 on sprouts all her nine years as the basis of her diet, but only recently have I started to feed my eight year old budgie on them. She didn't hesitate but dived right in. I especially like feeding the budgie sprouts because I cant always find appropriate green stuff to add to her diet and worry about deficiencies. Hope youe little ones enjoy them too.