A different sort of fermented food...

[Barred Rock Caf]

I regularly (almost daily) ferment whole milk into milk kefir (pronounce ke 'fear) using kefir grains as the culture medium to convert lactose to lactic acid. An inherent part of the process is the separation of the milk into curds and clear whey. Usually I stir the two components up before I strain off the milk kefir to recoup the grains. Recently, I placed a soda straw down the side of the curd mass and poured off the whey into a container and then fed this to my flocks.

The younger birds, for the most part, devoured this probiotic-rich whey protein, while the Buff Orpington (older) crew tasted it fr a bit and then walked off (they're somewhat picky eaters overall anyway).

As a side note, I also fermented some hard red wheat berries along with some chick starter crumbles in water and Bragg's ACV and, as per the above scenario, the younger hen flock hammered this while the Buff Biddies ate some and then strode off to destroy something.

Has anyone given their birds whey? Chickens will eat cheese, which is a fermented food and we give them ACV (raw and organic, of course), so I figured as far as the whey goes, Hey, it cannot hurt.

 

[LunaticCafe]

In older books on keeping chickens, feeding whey was often recommended. Then it was whey from cheesemaking, but I wouldn't hesitate to use the kefir whey. I think they often mixed it with ground feed, which might encourage your Buffs to try it.

I have given my flock of three the excess kefir grains when I have them, and they wolf 'em down!

 

[dragonlair]

I just recently got some kefir grains to try, so i will be making some this week with the goat milk I have. The chickens will get their fair share.

I give my chickens home made Greek yogurt made from the goat milk, I also mix fresh milk in with their feed. They love it and it does wonders for their weight and the egg shells. I'm sure they will love the kefir too!

 

[Jeanette56]

I've put kefir whey in my fermented feed; I've used water kefir in my fermented feed and I have fed them extra kefir and soured (raw) milk. They love it all! Soured (raw milk!) and fermented dairy is all good for poultry.
NOTE: soured store bought milk has gone bad - not a good food for any living thing . Soured raw milk is good for you & the birds or any pets you may have.

 

[Barred Rock Caf]

In older books on keeping chickens, feeding whey was often recommended. Then it was whey from cheesemaking, but I wouldn't hesitate to use the kefir whey. I think they often mixed it with ground feed, which might encourage your Buffs to try it.

I have given my flock of three the excess kefir grains when I have them, and they wolf 'em down!

As you've suggested, the Buffs only needed a little time and they,too, soon realized the delicious taste of the milk kefir. Not only probiotic, but the calcium in the milk doesn't change, so as a supplemental source of it, the kefir can only aid in the overall health of the hens as they live out their laying lives.

When mixed with ground feed and allowed 24 or more hours for the feed to become fermented and start to gas off carbon dioxide and produce alcohol, the mixture soon gets attacked with relish by ALL of my flock. I admit, these birds have it made compared to wild fowl. They have very sheeny, healthy feather coats that can only truly be appreciated in the glimmering sunlight.

YMMV,

Barred Rock Cafe

 

[Barred Rock Caf]

I've put kefir whey in my fermented feed; I've used water kefir in my fermented feed and I have fed them extra kefir and soured (raw) milk. They love it all! Soured (raw milk!) and fermented dairy is all good for poultry.
NOTE: soured store bought milk has gone bad - not a good food for any living thing

. Soured raw milk is good for you & the birds or any pets you may have.

I'm networking to find a source locally for raw milk, which technically is illegal to sell in Wisconsin, but there are loopholes to be exploited, like purchase for pet cats as food. My pride of pet cats has feathers and have the oddest "meows" imaginable!! I guess they are hybridized "Fowl-lines?"

Barred Rock Cafe

 

[Jeanette56]

I'm networking to find a source locally for raw milk, which technically is illegal to sell in Wisconsin, but there are loopholes to be exploited, like purchase for pet cats as food. My pride of pet cats has feathers and have the oddest "meows" imaginable!! I guess they are hybridized "Fowl-lines?" 

Barred Rock Cafe

 

[Barred Rock Caf]

I just recently got some kefir grains to try, so i will be making some this week with the goat milk I have. The chickens will get their fair share.

I give my chickens home made Greek yogurt made from the goat milk, I also mix fresh milk in with their feed. They love it and it does wonders for their weight and the egg shells. I'm sure they will love the kefir too!

I believe that the history of kefir grains is that it was actually derived from goats' intestines by tribes-people of the Caucausus Mountain regions many, many years ago. Goat milk is primo as a probiotic supplement- better than even cow's milk, I believe. Makes delicious cheese, too!

Barred Rock Cafe