Anyone give kefir to chicks?

[siroiszoo]

Oh Boy! I can't wait to get my girls going on the kefir. I did try an experiment this morning. I have almost gotten the water kefir and the milk kefir grains rehydrated. Actually, last night I made my very first, drinkable batch of water kefir. I took the water I rehydrated the water kefir grains in and mixed it with their layer pellet this morning instead of using the pellets fermented in water & raw apple cider vinegar. They gobbled it ALL down!

This will be a huge experiment for me. I like the idea that the fermented feed (with the apple cider vinegar) helps keep the digestive track in order and healthy.

HOwever, it takes lots of work, its messy, and I don't like the way it is making the eggs smell stronger, like the smell of boiled & peeled eggs, but even when they are fried. To me, its just not a good deal since the chickens are producing my food. On the other hand, when I've had to butcher a few due to the need to cull, that whole process...especially the 'smell' part of it... is a great improvement with the fermented feed!

So the experiment is this: Can I substitute the kefir (either water or milk; or more likely both) for the fermented feed mixture. If this morning was any indication, it was much faster, cleaner, and easier. BUT.... will I achieve the same results, better results, or worse results? That is the question!

 

[Juliabird]

I've given kefir to mine since they two weeks old. They just love it. The oldest are 13 weeks now and a few still stick half their head in the bowl to get as much as possible.

How much do you give them and how much for adult chickens?

 

[Hinotori]

Oh wow thread resurrection.

How much do you give them and how much for adult chickens?

I keep plastic lids to put chick treats in. A tablespoon for 6 chicks would be fine. They make a mess so don't eat it all. I just tossed some in a food bowl for adults, same as yogurt. I don't measure They ate what they wanted and I'd rinse anything left out. They didn't get it all the time. Got to vary the treats.

It got to be too much for me to keep up with kefir even though I like it. My probiotic of choice for the last 6 years has been kombucha as it doesn't need everyday attention. A couple hens will eat some of the scoby but most don't care for it. They prefer kefir or yogurt. One is a hen from back when I first posted that a decade ago. She eats everything though.