Get ready to sprout!
By Christine Wanger.
Fresh sprouts are one of the healthiest foods you can give your African Grey. In the wild a parrots diet would consist of live foods.
When we think of live foods we immediately think of creatures, but this is not the case. Sprouted seeds and beans are not part of a plant - they are the living plant and contain all of the live enzymes and nutrition that your parrot would naturally find in it's wild enviroment.
Sprouting may seem hard work and confusing as so many different mixes can be made, it is actually very simple to do once you have worked out a good recipe for your birds to enjoy and it is not very time consuming at all.
WHERE DO I PURCHASE A GOOD MIX?
COMMERCIAL SPROUTING MIXES
If you browse the internet for bird feed suppliers and look around in pet stores and markets, you will find bags of ready mixed sprouting mixes for parrots and other birds containing suitable seeds and beans. These are fantastic as it takes away the work of having to find the different ingredients to make up your own mix, so I advise you try this option first as these are a great way to discover which parts of the mix your bird prefers. You will see that there are many different types of mixes, some will say that they are suitable for African Grey Parrot's. They are all suitable for all different species of bird, the only difference between mixes is that some contain smaller seeds and beans which are easier for small birds to consume and others will contain larger ones for the larger species. Your African Grey should be able to consume all so size is not really an issue although I would personally go for a medium to large size mix. Some suppliers of these mixes will also state that their products are organic which is great. Organic is the best option and these bird suppliers will also use pesteside free produce, which is another advantage of these ready to go mixes for birds.
HEALTH SHOP MIXES
Health food stores are also a great place to find mixes and seperate beans and seeds. Here you can usually find organic produce which is fantastic as there is very little point in buying mixes which have been contaminated with harmful pestacides which will take away the natural goodness. These health shop mixes should be labelled well so you will know what you are getting.
SEPERATE INGREDIENTS
All of the seeds and beans for sprouting can be bought seperate. If this is your only option then this is fine but make sure you buy quality seeds and beans that are not split and looking mouldy and dirty. Also buy pestaside free and preferably organic as they contain more goodness. Seperate ingredients is a good idea for the more experienced sprouter who knows which pulses their bird relishes.
By Christine Wanger.
Fresh sprouts are one of the healthiest foods you can give your African Grey. In the wild a parrots diet would consist of live foods.
When we think of live foods we immediately think of creatures, but this is not the case. Sprouted seeds and beans are not part of a plant - they are the living plant and contain all of the live enzymes and nutrition that your parrot would naturally find in it's wild enviroment.
Sprouting may seem hard work and confusing as so many different mixes can be made, it is actually very simple to do once you have worked out a good recipe for your birds to enjoy and it is not very time consuming at all.
WHERE DO I PURCHASE A GOOD MIX?
COMMERCIAL SPROUTING MIXES
If you browse the internet for bird feed suppliers and look around in pet stores and markets, you will find bags of ready mixed sprouting mixes for parrots and other birds containing suitable seeds and beans. These are fantastic as it takes away the work of having to find the different ingredients to make up your own mix, so I advise you try this option first as these are a great way to discover which parts of the mix your bird prefers. You will see that there are many different types of mixes, some will say that they are suitable for African Grey Parrot's. They are all suitable for all different species of bird, the only difference between mixes is that some contain smaller seeds and beans which are easier for small birds to consume and others will contain larger ones for the larger species. Your African Grey should be able to consume all so size is not really an issue although I would personally go for a medium to large size mix. Some suppliers of these mixes will also state that their products are organic which is great. Organic is the best option and these bird suppliers will also use pesteside free produce, which is another advantage of these ready to go mixes for birds.
HEALTH SHOP MIXES
Health food stores are also a great place to find mixes and seperate beans and seeds. Here you can usually find organic produce which is fantastic as there is very little point in buying mixes which have been contaminated with harmful pestacides which will take away the natural goodness. These health shop mixes should be labelled well so you will know what you are getting.
SEPERATE INGREDIENTS
All of the seeds and beans for sprouting can be bought seperate. If this is your only option then this is fine but make sure you buy quality seeds and beans that are not split and looking mouldy and dirty. Also buy pestaside free and preferably organic as they contain more goodness. Seperate ingredients is a good idea for the more experienced sprouter who knows which pulses their bird relishes.
By Christine Wanger.
Sprouting Facts
Sprouted or germinating seeds presents the simplest method of providing your birds with fresh greens. They are a healthy food addition for all birds, but are absolute necessity for the feeding hen and for the newly weaned young. Sprouted or germinated seeds are usually more easily accepted by "seed addicts" than fresh fruits and vegetables.
Sprouted seeds are more nutrient-dense as they are high in vegetable proteins, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and chlorophyll.
Sprouted seeds are lower in fat, as the process of sprouting utilizes the fat in the seed to start the growing process - thus reducing the fat stored in the seeds.
It is an invaluable food at all times; however, it is especially important for breeding or molting birds. Sprouted seeds also serve as a great rearing and weaning food as the softened shell is easier to break by chicks and gets them used to the texture of seeds.
Sprouted seeds are more nutrient-dense as they are high in vegetable proteins, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and chlorophyll.
Sprouted seeds are lower in fat, as the process of sprouting utilizes the fat in the seed to start the growing process - thus reducing the fat stored in the seeds.
It is an invaluable food at all times; however, it is especially important for breeding or molting birds. Sprouted seeds also serve as a great rearing and weaning food as the softened shell is easier to break by chicks and gets them used to the texture of seeds.
List of suitable ingredients for sprouts
LIST OF SUITABLE INGREDIENTS FOR SPROUTING
A
Adzuki
Almonds (shelled)
Amaranth
B
Barley (Hulless)
Black Beans
Brown rice (unprocessed)
Buckwheat (in hull)
C
Chick Peas
Chia
China Rose Raddish
Clover
Corn - Yellow or Blue
D
Daikon
F
Fenugreek
G
Garbanzo's - Black, Brown or Large Beige
Golden Flax
H
Hemp
K
Kamut
L
Lentils - Crimson/Red, French Blue, Pardina, Orange, Green or Yellow
M
Munch Beans
Mung Beans
Millet
O
Oats
Oriental Mustard
P
Spelt (Hulled)
Split Peas
Sunflower ( In Shell)
T
Triticale
W
Wheat
Peanuts (Shelled)
Peas
Pinto Beans
Q
Quinoa
R
Red Clover
Red Dari
S
Safflower
Sesame
Spelt (Hulled)
Split Peas- Green or Yellow
Sunflower (In Shell)
T
Triticale
W
Wheat
A
Adzuki
Almonds (shelled)
Amaranth
B
Barley (Hulless)
Black Beans
Brown rice (unprocessed)
Buckwheat (in hull)
C
Chick Peas
Chia
China Rose Raddish
Clover
Corn - Yellow or Blue
D
Daikon
F
Fenugreek
G
Garbanzo's - Black, Brown or Large Beige
Golden Flax
H
Hemp
K
Kamut
L
Lentils - Crimson/Red, French Blue, Pardina, Orange, Green or Yellow
M
Munch Beans
Mung Beans
Millet
O
Oats
Oriental Mustard
P
Spelt (Hulled)
Split Peas
Sunflower ( In Shell)
T
Triticale
W
Wheat
Peanuts (Shelled)
Peas
Pinto Beans
Q
Quinoa
R
Red Clover
Red Dari
S
Safflower
Sesame
Spelt (Hulled)
Split Peas- Green or Yellow
Sunflower (In Shell)
T
Triticale
W
Wheat
Toxic beans
There are a few beans which are toxic to birds these are:
*Kidney Beans
*Jack Beans
*Navy Beans
*Lima Beans
Although these will not be present in the bird commercial mix bags for sprouting you will need to look out for these as ingredients in other mixes and avoid these when buying in seperate batches. If you are unsure of any ingredients you are planning to use please ask by clicking here.
By Christine Wanger.
*Kidney Beans
*Jack Beans
*Navy Beans
*Lima Beans
Although these will not be present in the bird commercial mix bags for sprouting you will need to look out for these as ingredients in other mixes and avoid these when buying in seperate batches. If you are unsure of any ingredients you are planning to use please ask by clicking here.
By Christine Wanger.