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The information above will provide you a basic idea of what to expect. If you
have further questions, feel free to ask!
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New Species!
We are cutting back on our Hahn's Macaws, and other New World species and
focusing more on the Poicephalus birds. To that end, we are planning to offer
Red-Bellieds, Orange vested Senegals, and Meyers Parrots as well as Timneh Greys
in 2010-2011.
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Articles
Some of my articles, or articles I've reprinted with permission are under a
link on my site. Check them out!
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Would you like to offer your parrots the type of living foods that wild
parrots choose for themselves? Are you concerned about the hundreds of
pesticides used on conventionally-grown produce? Would you feed your birds
organic foods it were affordable? If so, sprouting for your parrots will be
of interest to you.
Many aviculturists avoid sprouting because they believe that it is difficult
and time consuming. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is
surprisingly easy and takes very little time. If you have access to a health
food store, you can purchase everything necessary for successfully sprouting
many health-giving seeds, grains and legumes safely and at very little cost.
If you have hesitated to try sprouting because of the fear that sprouts are
dangerous and full of bacteria and fungi, hesitate no more. It is so easy to
sprout safely that fear of microbial contamination is no excuse for passing
up the opportunity to give your birds the live food that they are
biologically adapted to consume.
If we observe the basic rules of food hygiene and keep in mind that
germinating seeds are fragile, growing baby plants, we will handle them
carefully and they will not become damaged and therefore easily tainted with
harmful organisms. It is best to buy seeds for sprouting from reputable
sources. Seeds that are second rate in quality and price are not a bargain.
EB Cravens, popular writer and aviculturist from Hawaii says: "I cannot
overemphasize how important quality seed stock is to a sprouting program. To
take a standard mass-produced birdseed mix and attempt to sprout it for your
pets is asking for trouble! We utilize only health food and human-grade
seeds, pulses, and grains."
SPROUTING FOR INCREASED PRODUCTION
One of the goals of most aviculture programs is a good production rate. With
optimal care, most healthy parrots are able to reproduce and raise healthy
babies. However, there are many pairs that frustrate their owners by never
reproducing for no apparent reason. Sprouted or germinated seeds have a
rejuvenating effect on humans and animals alike because of the RNA, DNA,
protein and essential nutrients that are found only in living cells. Studies
have shown remarkable changes in damaged human DNA upon the introduction of
a compound found in young growing plants like wheatgrass. These studies were
done on reproductive cells, and the results suggest that live plants may
improve and even restore fertility. Many of the benefits of various foods
appear to affect parrot health in much the same equivalency as to human
health. Raw sprouts and grasses are easily-digested foods and have a higher
biological efficiency value than cooked greens, seeds, and beans.
According to Greg Harrison and Branson Ritchie in AVIAN MEDICINE: PRINCIPLES
AND APPLICATION, "Bean sprouts are considered highly nutritious and are
thought [by many aviculturists] to stimulate breeding ..." Mike Owen from
Queensland, Australia, a successful breeder of many parrot species says, "I
am a regular sprouter of seed for my birds, especially when they are
breeding. The first thing to note is that one of the major effects of
sprouting is to increase the protein content, by up to a factor of two. Thus
sunflower, which normally has a protein level of around 20%, has this
increased to around 35% with sprouting-- all that oil (fat) is being
converted! The highest protein and nutritional value is achieved when the
tip of the root first appears. As the root gets longer, and the shoot
appears, the level of protein and vitamins sinks rapidly. This high protein
level is one reason that sprouted seed is so useful to breeding birds, with
their higher protein requirements. Birds in a non-breeding situation can be
fed less sprouts. I would give about a tablespoonful to a bird out of
breeding condition, but as much as they want to eat during breeding season,
at least a cup full. Sprouted seed is also of value to moulting birds, which
have an increased protein requirement."
Common sense dictates that animals in the peak of health are more likely to
reproduce than those that are only marginally healthy. In numerous studies
of cattle, the addition of sprouts to the diet was found to increase the
production of milk and to restore fertility to cows that were sterile. This
is not surprising because wheat sprouts, for example, supply more and
higher-quality vitamin E than does wheat germ, a noted source of the
fertility vitamin. The vitamin E content of wheat triples when it is
sprouted. Oats and rye also are excellent sources of the fertility vitamin
as are all sprouted seeds and nuts. The point of the studies is that the
reproductive function of animals can be rejuvenated and restored to its
normal healthy state when the diet contains an abundance of sprouts.
LIVING FOODS
By the time most produce reaches our grocers' shelves, it has spent many
days and sometimes weeks in transit over half a continent. The nutrients
present at harvest have gradually decreased to a fraction of what they were
when the food was freshly harvested. When parrots eat sprouts, they are
eating tiny, easy-to-digest plants at their peak of nutritional value. The
seed releases all of its stored nutrients in a burst of vitality as it
attempts to become a full-sized plant. When eaten as sprouts, seeds
literally give the best of what they have to offer in terms of nutrition.
CONFLICTING DIRECTIONS
If you have researched the mechanics of sprouting, you may have been put off
by the contradictory information that is available in magazine articles,
books, and on the internet. If you read enough articles on the subject, you
will find every viewpoint and its opposite on every aspect of sprouting.
Here are some examples, but the bottom line is that in spite of all the
conflicting directions, sprouting is a very forgiving art so "just do it!"
Rinsing seeds: There are instructions for rinsing seeds with cold water,
tepid water, and hot water. The most important aspect of rinsing seeds is
the purity of the water. Use filtered water if you are unsure of your water
source. Whatever temperature you choose, rinse until the water runs clear.
One aviculturist who has been feeding sprouts safely to his flock for many
years says that the toxins and nitrogen by-products generated by the
sprouting process are much more soluble in hot water than cold water.
Antibacterial products as detailed here later may be used if you are
concerned about contaminated sprouts.
Soaking time: For each individual seed and bean, you will read instructions
to soak them for a specific amount of time, from two to twenty-four hours.
Increased soaking time can increase the likelihood of fungal growth, and the
general rule is to soak for two to four hours, and as long as sixteen hours
for larger and harder seeds. Popcorn and dry shelled feed corn require
twelve to eighteen hours to sprout easily. As you experiment, you will
discover what works best for each type of seed or pulse that your bird
enjoys. Seeds were meant to sprout, and sprout they will if given any chance
at all. Although soaking seeds in an antibacterial solution will give more
consistent results, it would be difficult to fail at sprouting!
Sprouting time: What could be easier than determining the proper time for
harvest by watching for the tiny white tails to emerge from the end of the
seed? There are recommendations for sprouting seeds from one to five days,
but harvesting when the new sprout first appears is much simpler than timing
them. Enzyme activity in the germinating seed reaches its maximum when the
sprout is still very small. After the fifth day, enzyme content drops off
markedly as the tail grows longer and longer. No matter which seeds we
choose to sprout, harvesting when the tail is very short insures maximum
nutrition. As Fred Bauer, aviculturist, author, and owner of China Prairie,
a company that markets sprouting supplies says, "We are not growing salad
greens or crunchies for sandwiches, which is what most people think of as
"sprouts". We are germinating viable dormant seeds, grains, and
legumes--igniting their spark, initiating the life process that is stored
there. We want to see just the tip of the white tail of germination."
Types of sprouters: There are recommendations for every imaginable type of
sprouter from a simple colander with a soaking bowl, a sprouting bag,
varying sizes of glass jars with lids made of screen or mesh, stainless
steel pots, rice cookers and three-tier stack trays, to the elaborate
sprouting systems available today which make sprouting extremely easy and
failproof. Some experienced sprouters believe that glass or stainless steel,
as opposed to plastic, are the best containers to use for sprouting.
Depending upon the number of parrots in your flock, experiment until you
find the best system for your situation, but do start sprouting in
something!
Seeds, grains, and legumes: Some people sprout only the seeds that they
formerly fed to their birds unsprouted. This is an easy way to increase
nutrition without actually changing the basics of the diet. Sunflower seeds
are a great seed to sprout first because all birds love them. Shelled or
unshelled, Black-oil or Grey-stripe sunflower seeds will sprout. Simply soak
them overnight, drain the next morning, rinse every four to six hours and
feed them to your birds when the small tail appears. This easy process will
get you started on your sprouting adventure. You immediately will see how
much your birds relish living food and that live food does not spoil as
quickly as cooked food. Some parrot owners sprout only a few seeds, grains
and legumes. Mung beans, garbanzo beans, also known as chick peas, lentils,
alfalfa seeds, radish seeds, and wheat berries are favorites. One may order
a mixture of sprouting seeds such as that of China Prairie's AFD-psittacine
mix with hulled sunflower seed, whole yellow corn, whole oats, brown rice,
Hi Pro wheat berry, whole green peas, garbanzo, mung beans, buckwheat,
millet, fenugreek, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, quinoa, radish seeds,
mustard seeds, and red clover seeds.
Mixed or separate seeds: The seed mix from China Prairie detailed above is a
popular sprouting mix among aviculturists. This further illustrates the
point that there are no hard and fast rules about sprouting. Although some
experts advocate sprouting only one item per container, a method of assuring
uniformity of sprouting time, the China Prairie mixture has a variety of
sizes of seeds, grains, and legumes and it sprouts without problems.
You might start by choosing the seeds, grains, and legumes available from
your local health food store to discover what appeals to your flock. Later
you may want to locate a less expensive source. Many large health markets
carry quality seeds in bulk containers at competitive prices. Sprouts cost
as little as twenty to forty cents per pound since each pound of seeds
produces three to five times its original weight in living, growing food.
There are mail order packages available and online sources for those who
purchase products via their computer.
SPROUTING FOR BEGINNERS
The easiest sprouts for beginners are sunflower seeds, mung beans, lentils
and wheat berries.* To begin your sprouting adventure, obtain any of these
seeds from a health food store and follow these easy directions for
sprouting in a colander or wide pan. A sprouting jar, or large glass jar
with a mesh lid held in place with a rubber band, also will suffice.
*SELECT seeds that have been grown organically or that are free from all
harmful chemicals. *MEASURE one half cup of shelled sunflower seeds, mung
beans, lentils or wheat berries. Measuring will become unnecessary once you
become accustomed to sprouting. *INSPECT and remove broken and damaged seeds
which will not sprout and can cause spoilage. *RINSE well until the water
runs clear. *SOAK overnight in pure water (and antibacterial solution if
desired). Water level should be well above the top of the seeds to allow for
swelling. *RINSE well in the morning. *SPREAD seeds in a colander, glass
jar, or pan and place in a dark, well-ventilated area. *RINSE well several
times a day. *HARVEST when small tails appear, usually in one day. * DRAIN
UNTIL DRY before serving to your birds. Dry sprouts will continue to grow in
your birds' dishes during the day instead of spoiling as wet or cooked food
might.
*Other seeds, grains and legumes that may be sprouted are: amaranth, barley,
buckwheat, corn, popcorn, millet, oats, rice, rye, triticale, kamut, spelt,
almonds, broccoli seeds, cabbage seeds, kale seeds, fenugreek seeds, teff,
pumpkin seeds, radish seeds, quinoa, alfalfa, clover, garbanzo beans, and
adzuki beans.NOTE: Large raw beans such as anasazi, black, fava, kidney,
lima, navy, pinto, can cause problems of toxicity and digestive upsets when
eaten uncooked and should not be fed raw to birds.
SPROUTING SAFELY
Many aviculturists soak and rinse sprouting seeds, grains and legumes in
pure water only and never have problems with bacterial or fungal growth.
Others use an anti-bacterial solution to protect the growing seeds from the
formation of harmful organisms. Some use a dilute mixture of water and
clorox. Others use an ozone setup to insure against contamination. The
latest popular solution to be used for soaking and rinsing sprouts is
Grapefruit Seed Extract, or Citricidal, also sold half-strength by brand
names such as Nutribiotic, Agrisept, and ProSeed. Those who advocate the use
of an antibacterial soaking and rinsing solution believe that this practice
gives more consistently successful results.
To make a solution for soaking seeds and beans before sprouting, use one
tablespoon of GSE per gallon of pure water. To rinse sprouts without
damaging them, soak them briefly in a GSE solution and drain them gently.
Like other growing plants, sprouts need moisture, proper temperature and
adequate air circulation. As they grow, sprouts release carbon dioxide and
other gasses and create waste which must be removed by rinsing. Rinsing also
keeps them from overheating. If sprouts ever have an objectionable odor or
look moldy, discard them, sterilize the equipment, and start over. Never
feed questionable or spoiled sprouts to your birds. Use your nose, and as a
wise cook once said, "If in doubt, throw it out." Sprouts smell
earthy--never rotten or sour. They never should have an unpleasant odor. It
is rare for sprouts to spoil if these basic rules are followed:
*Start with quality, whole, unbroken seeds, grains, and legumes.
*Rinse well until the rinse water runs clear.
*Soak in pure water. Antibacterial solutions further assure safety.
*Always handle seeds gently once they have germinated. Rough handling of the
delicate new sprouts can damage or kill them and cause spoilage.
*Harvest when the tiny white sprout tails first appear.
*Refrigerate leftover sprouts which will keep for several days. Rinse daily
until used.
These general directions apply to any amount of sprouts, from one small
colander to many large pans. One aviculturist with whom I spoke said that
their sprouts are grown on large frames with special screen. They are the
size of screen doors and as the sprouts grow, they are rinsed with a garden
hose that is sterilized periodically.
If parrots do not take to sprouts immediately as most of them do, they may
be made more tempting by mixing them with a favorite food. Sweet potatoes,
nut butters, colorful and flavorful juices, and natural applesauce are a few
of the ways to tempt birds into trying sprouts for the first time. Most
birds cannot resist corn which can grated into the sprouts mixture until the
birds discover that they like them plain.
Sprouts may well be the single most important food that we can provide our
parrots. I have seen firsthand the positive effect that this dynamic food
can have on their overall health. However, I do not believe that any one
food is sufficient to meet their nutritional requirements nor their
psychological need for variety in their diet. Sprouts also can make a
positive contribution to the health of baby parrots. They are sought after
by parent birds who often eat all of the sprouts in their dish first. They
are then fed to their babies, which may be the next best thing to feeding
their chicks the live foods that they might find if they were living in
their natural habitat. A new trend in handfeeding is the addition of blended
or pureed sprouts to handfeeding formula. The easily digested nutrition and
the natural immune-building qualities of sprouts seem to get chicks off to a
better start than does formula alone. Aviculturists have reported greater
weight gains and earlier weaning of chicks that are fed sprouts. It is my
hope that in the not too distant future this living, health-giving delicacy
will be an integral part of the diet of all captive parrots.
_________________
taken from
http://www.landofvos.com/articles/wbsprouts.html
I buy my sprouts from
China Prairie.
These sprouting seeds and grains and the sprout tower makes sprouting a
breeze and is economical!
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