How To Sprout Seeds?

How does one sprout seeds?

• I have a cockatiel on an all pellet diet. I have heard that seeds are healthier if they are sprouted first, and then can be fed in small quantities every day. I would have no idea where to start with this. So can anyone tell me anything and everything, from picking the right seed to sprout, growing the sprouts, knowing if they are any good, and then eventually how you feed them to a bird (I mean, do you just hand them to him... kind of a weird question I guess but I suppose I just can't wrap my head around what the sprout will look like...)

• Answer:

  It's very simple really. I haven't made any in a while, but Houdini (my bird) reminded me of them when I was filling up his water one day. I noticed this long green thing jutting out and kinda freaked, then I realized he had somehow managed to drop a seed in there, and it had sprouted. So that just shows you how easy it is. You really don't need a green thumb for this. You can just damp a paper towel and put some seeds on it. By the next day, you'll notice some growth. Might not be much, but you'll see it starting to germinate. Give it another day, and there will be some more. I've actually gone as far as to plant some in soil to allow them to take root and everything. The result was a lot of white millet shoots (that was the type of seed I used) growing in my lawn. After awhile, seeds would grow out of the shoots and I could then give my bird fresh seed! Problem with that, is, harvesting is slow and tedious, Lol. It's best not to feed it every day though. Remember, it's very fatty in this stage (though it's higher in nutrients in this stage), so it's best to feed it as a treat, or molt supplement. You'd just feed it like you'd feed any other veggie. He can eat all of it. If you plan to grow in soil (which is unnecessary, but I found it fun), make sure the soil hasn't been treated with pesticides. @B Bleach?? I'd never have thought to do that! I wouldn't even feel comfortable doing that! I guess the way I do it (with paper towels or sometimes I'll just put some seed in a small plastic container with a little water) is kinda cheap, but it works for me.