Once you have your Soaking Blend, you'll need to follow a few easy steps to get started:
- Measure out the amount of bird food blend you want to soak, making sure to use a clean measuring cup. General rule is one tablespoon per bird, per day.
- Thoroughly rinse under cold water to remove dust. Do this until it runs close to clear. Remember to use a fine strainer or Sprouting Jar as some seeds are small.
- Place in a clean bowl or container. If you're using the Sprouting Jar you can do all these steps using just the Jar.
- Add enough cold water to cover the Soaking Blend by at least an inch.
- Cover the container with Clingwrap or lid and leave it to soak for the recommended amount of time. This can vary depending on the blend you are using, so be sure to check the label, but no longer then 24 hours.
- After soaking, rinse well again and let drain.
- Serve the soaked bird food to your feathered friends in a clean dish and remove uneaten food after three hours.
Tips for Soaking Success
To get the most out of your soaking efforts, it's important to follow a few key tips:
- Use the Sprouting Jar for easy soaking, rinsing and storage.
- Always use clean equipment when soaking bird food. This includes measuring cups, bowls, and utensils.
- If you are struggling with mold you can a few drops of Vetafarm Aviclense during the inital soak to help reduce bacteria.
- Be sure to follow the recommended soaking time for the specific bird food blend you are using. Over-soaking can cause the food to spoil.
- Store any leftover soaked bird food in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Rinse and drain before each offering.
- Always discard any uneaten soaked bird food after three hours to prevent spoilage and bacteria growth.
- Do not soak or feed soaked seeds during times of extreme heat, there is too much risk of spoilge.