Sprouted seeds are an extremely valuable and nutritious addition to a bird’s diet. Most birds find it very palatable and the nutrients are more readily digested than dry seed. Sprouted seeds also contain larger quantities of carbohydrates and protein, but also have less fat than found in dried seeds. This makes it especially important for breeding season and when chicks have hatched, young fledglings or breeding birds that have more demanding nutritional requirements. However, all birds at any time of the year will benefit from spouted seeds a couple of times a week.
Sprouted seeds are not only for all Parrots, but are also suitable for Finches, Canaries, and even large birds like Chickens, Ducks, Guineafowl and many more. The quantity is based on how many birds you have and how large they are. For the smaller flight birds, a small container or pot with a thick layer of seed is a good amount, because when the seeds sprout, it will look like a thick grass that the birds can dig in. For the larger birds a trough or a larger pot will do, with a thick layer of seed to make a grass like thickness. Chickens will dig the seeds out, so a good idea so a good option to ruining the lawn!
Seeds should take at least a week to germinate, so we aim to have a few in different stages of the growth cycle. You’ll find the sprouted seeds trolly at the front of our store.
Seeds that a suitable are:
- French White Millet
- Millet Seed
- Linseed
- Safflower
- Grey Stripe Sunflower
- Wheat
- Oats
- Barley
Difference between water sprouting and soil:
Birds could contract a fungus infection or a respiratory illness from seeds that are sprouted in water. The reason being, that when you sprout seeds in water, the seed needs cleaning every few hours so that the seed does not get any slimy textures and mould growing. This is one way respiratory infections in birds occur because they eat a seed that has mould on it and breathe in the mould, that equals a very sick bird, and we all know with birds, they show signs when it’s too late! Water sprouting is a risky procedure.
Sprouting in soil means less chance of the seed becoming mouldy. The soil promotes germination by holding warmth and water. Once the seed has sprouted, it will last like another plant, where-as water sprouted seeds quickly lose their freshness.
You may have heard of Elf on a shelf, we have Cat on a shelf
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Easter hours
Have a happy and safe weekend ... See MoreSee Less
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Have a great Easter guys and enjoy your long weekend.
Barastoc Horse COMPLETE PERFORMER
special price at nearly $10 off !!!
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Our Cobber range is expanding and Caleb had the job of fitting it all into the shelving.
20kg varieties now include
Healthy weight adult
Large breed adult
Adult 7+
Puppy
Adult with chicken
Adult with beef
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📢 Know Your Starch – Know What’s Safe!
When feeding a horse or pony prone to laminitis, EMS or insulin resistance, understanding maximum starch content is crucial. Not all brands disclose this the way HYGAIN® does – so be sure to ask your feed company whether they are listing the maximum or minimum starch content when considering feeds for metabolic horses.
✅ HYGAIN® META SAFE® is a low-feeding-rate, grain-free balancer with a maximum of 1.5% starch and 35% fibre. It’s designed to help maintain weight in good-doing horses and ponies. A 500kg horse only needs 500g per day to meet its nutritional requirements—meaning a 20kg bag provides 40 feeds! Plus, it contains BONAFIDE® our Vitamin K1 & K2 supplement, which supports bone density in horses and ponies restricted from grazing on green grass.
✅ HYGAIN® ZERO® is a complete feed designed for horses that require a higher feeding rate for energy and muscle support, including those in work, recovering from illness or needing additional conditioning. It contains a maximum of 1.5% starch and 35% fibre, making it a safe option for starch-sensitive horses while supporting their overall health and performance.
Both feeds are fully fortified and also include biotin for hoof health and prebiotics for digestive support.
At HYGAIN®, we provide scientifically backed nutrition you can trust. Plus, our qualified nutritionists are always available to discuss your horse’s diet and provide free, personalised advice—no matter what brands you’re feeding or what challenges you’re facing.
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