Seed spoiling

[snowylily]

Hi, I recently bought some seed and it's come in quite a large quantity. Does seed have an expiry date? If I keep it in a tub with a lid, will that be okay? It's not a huge amount, but more than my two budgies need. Thank you

[ariella]

I usually split mine and put some in the freezer.

[snowylily]

Thanks, I didn't know you could freeze it.

[tweetiepiesmom]

Many people will store them in the refrigerator. I don't. I think it depends on the weather where you live - hot and humid conditions make the seeds go rancid sooner. If you buy just enough seeds that they will eat in 2-3 months, you should be OK. I hear people say that they get bugs in the seeds more often than people saying the seeds have gone rancid. A tight fitting lid should take care of bugs getting into the seeds. Also putting them in refrigerator keeps the bugs away. I've also read that some people buy a large amount of seeds and portion out a month's worth and put the rest in the freezer. Putting them in the freezer will kill any bugs. Just make sure to let them come to room temperature before serving.

[snowylily]

Thank you. The tub is the same one that I used for my baby's milk powder, so it has got a good lid. Hopefully it should be fine in there then. I only live in the UK, so not very hot (unfortunately!).

[Hezz]

A sealed container should be enough, but if you have room in your freezer for a proportion of the mix, keeping it there will definitely keep it fresh. Seed doesn’t actually freeze so you don’t need to “thaw” it when you remove it from the freezer, but do make sure that no moisture from the container goes with the seed if you change containers at room temp. Freezing your seed for 24-48 hrs will kill off any larva or eggs that may have been laid in the bulk seed

[snowylily]

Thanks that's great, good to know that freezing it is handy for eliminating bugs. I'll definitely use that trick.

[mona]

Whenever I get seeds for my birdies, I put them to sprout test to check if they are unpolished unprocessed ones and within the shelf life.. If they don't sprout, they don't have any nutritional value left..

How do you know if the seed has become rancid? I have never stored seeds in refrigerator and I never saw any visible issue with seeds.. Bugs have never been in their old seed mix.. for human grade seeds, sometimes yes they do..

Edit: Okay, the seed smell or taste changes..it gets infested with bugs or mold growth etc.. to check if it's rancid. For every grain, the shelf life outside the refrigerator and inside refrigerator is listed on some sites.. It seems interesting to know that rye can be kept for 2 years at room temperature and 4 yrs in refrigerator. I would love to explore it once, to avoid wastage of certain grains. Here, normally everyone stocks up grains annually but my mom adds a tablet wrapped in a cloth, which discourages bug growth..

[snowylily]

Ooh sprout test sounds interesting! I wonder if the ones that don't sprout had been frozen? Perhaps I'll start a little millet garden.

[tweetiepiesmom]

I think the ones that don't sprout may be old or just not viable. If you were to take a fresh seed head and try to spout it, some just don't sprout. That's natural. If you see a high percent in your seed batch that don't sprout, chances are that the are no good possibly from mishandling or getting over heated. I'd throw it out and look for a better brand. I don't think it would harm your birds, its just not "living" food and may be missing some good nutrients.

[Hezz]

Some seed is also treated to prevent sprouting. A tiny bit of moisture, or hot and humid conditions can start a seed off on its new life as a plant which is not much good in a warehouse or silo if you are trying to sell seeds, not sprouts.

[Deleted]

Mar 27, 2021 9:37:45 GMT snowylily said:

Ooh sprout test sounds interesting! I wonder if the ones that don't sprout had been frozen? Perhaps I'll start a little millet garden.

The national seed banks store seeds frozen. They will sprout again once brought up to a suitable temperature.