Pita pintas(avatar) and hens hatched from Trader Joes fertile eggs
is that a bantam or full size you know I picked up a chicken tractor he has said it was most comfortable with no more than 6 in it but for me 4 silkies can fill it
When the baking bug starts to bite again I just fire up my own starters about 1 week in advance. The King Arthur All Purpose has never fired up for me(but it is a great feeder). What I find works 100% of the time is just simple wheat(hull and all) flour that is my first 48 hour feeding go to. It is my opinion that after 1 month your "dried starter sourdough" will be replaced by your own localized flora anyway. That is my opinion and I am sticking to it!
This the backup recipe also I made this was ready to use after like 4 feedings 4 days straight but still added a bit of Yeast for a few weeks where the one sent by @ronott1 was ready in like 2 day
Sour Dough Starter from Scratch
Ingredients
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup milk ( skim, regular or buttermilk) 1/2 cup unbleached flour
Directions
1. Mix the milk and yogurt together in a glass or pottery container (Do not use metal).
2. Place lid on it, but don't seal it (sealed starters have been known to explode).
3. Put mixture in a warm place (80 to 90 degrees) for about 24 hours.
4. The yogurt and milk will separate forming a large curd, when adding the flour just stir it all back together.
5. Add the flour stir, and put back in warm place for 3 to 5 days; stirring daily.
6. It will bubble and have the odor of fermentation it is ready to use.
7. Remember the starter is a living thing and needs to be fed and fed frequently when an infant.
8. I feed the "infant" weekly by placing it on the counter for several hours and allowing it to come to room temperature.
9. Then remove 1/2 cup starter, discarding the remainder.
10. Feed the 1/2 cup with equal amounts of milk (buttermilk will produce a stronger sour taste) and unbleached flour; i.e. 1 cup flour and 1 cup milk plus 1/2 cup of starter.
11. If you would like, you can feed the starter with 1/3 cup dry milk powder and 2/3 cup bottled water in place of the 1 cup milk.