How to Grow Sprouts for Birds

Choose seeds of high quality, from a reputable brand you trust. If you're not familiar with the brand, choose organically grown seeds free of dangerous chemicals such as pesticides.

Measure 1/2 cup of your chosen seeds. This amount gives you a small-enough portion to inspect while providing a large-enough amount to produce plenty of sprouts for your bird.

Examine the seeds for damage. Remove broken seeds or seeds that appear discolored or noticeably bad. These seeds only hurt the healthy sprouts, produced by the healthy seeds, by causing spoilage.

Place the seeds in a fine strainer or into cheesecloth, rinsing them with clean water until the water runs clear from the seeds. Once water runs clear, transfer the seeds into a glass jar.

Cover the seeds in the jar with pure water, allowing them to soak overnight. In the morning, rinse the seeds with clean water once again.

Spread the seeds in a colander. Create an even layer of seeds across the bottom of the pan. Place the pan in a dark area with good ventilation.

Rinse the seeds three to four times daily over the next two days. This keeps the seeds hydrated for growth and prevents harmful bacteria from growing on the seeds.

Remove sprouts from the colander once small tails begin growing from the seeds. Feed sprouts to your birds immediately upon harvest to achieve the best nutritional results.