Sprouting in coco coir for button quail

[ButtonBag]

I'm planning on sprouting some finch seeds in a tray, then putting that whole thing in my button quail's home for them to eat. I'm having a hard time finding plain old, unfertilised dirt if you can believe that (we don't have a garden). Would coco coir/coconut fibre be usable? I want something that won't harm the birds if they eat it. I have some multi-purpose compost but it includes fertiliser, which I'm guessing isn't great for them.

 

[maadroj]

I was considering using coconut coir as a substrate and didn't find anything against it, but I was a little nervous about them eating it. I haven't tried it yet so unfortunately can't share more than that.

 

[wyoDreamer]

If you are just sprouting seeds or growing fodder, you don't need to plant them in anything.
When I sprouted wheat for my chickens, I just put the wheat berries into a mason jar and rinsed the seeds a couple times a day. Stretch a piece of cheesecloth over the mouth of the jar and hold in place with the metal ring - use the cheesecloth as a strainer to drain the water out every time you rinse. When the seeds are sprouted as far as you want, dump the jar into their pen and watch the show as they rip into the mass of sprouts.

 

[ButtonBag]

Thanks, that's a good point, if I can't find anything suitable I might just sprout them on a wet cloth or something. I thought they might have fun digging and scratching around in the soil/fibre, but it's probably not worth the risk as they are not to be trusted

 

[wyoDreamer]

Did you do any sprouting for them? You really don't have to have a substrate if you are just sprouting seeds.

 

[ButtonBag]

I did, I just used a jar in the end.