Anyone give kefir to chicks?

[Haunted Chicken]

I keep reading about plain yogurt and raw milk for chicks and adults. We culture our own Kefir, would that be ok? (A cultured milk, kinda like yogurt on steroids lol and very good for the gut)

 

[featherbaby]

Hi, I have fed kefir mixed with various grains (oatmeal, wheat bran cereal, rice chex, chick crumbles, etc.) letting it sit until mushy like a mash. My silkies of all ages fight over it. I give it 1-3 times a week, depending on whether I have a lot left over and another batch ready to put in the fridge. It's good for them. Birds don't have the enzyme to break down lactose (like some people who are lactose intolerant) but the kefir breaks it down for them and makes it digestible.

 

[Haunted Chicken]

Wow that was fast! I'm so glad they can have it. Thanks for responding

 

[Hinotori]

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.

 

[siroiszoo]

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.

So, are you feeding them the kefir like, say a bowl of milk to a kitten? Or are you mixing it into grains or chick starter?

 

[Hinotori]

I saw you posted in the other thread as well. I give them the extra a few times a week. I just put it in a couple bowls and they all gather round and will even lick the bowl. They know what it is and get very excited at getting some. I have to lock the dogs up or they will eat the chickens share as well as their own.

 

[siroiszoo]

Interesting!

 

[siroiszoo]

I saw you posted in the other thread as well. I give them the extra a few times a week. I just put it in a couple bowls and they all gather round and will even lick the bowl. They know what it is and get very excited at getting some. I have to lock the dogs up or they will eat the chickens share as well as their own.

Oh yes, I may have missed it but are you giving them milk kefir or water kefir? I'm assuming it's milk? (I read too many threads and get them confused

 

[Hinotori]

Milk Kefir. They will fight over it if I don't put out a few bowls. Someone always ends up wearing it then the rest will try and eat it off them.

They don't really care for regular milk. They will get all excited on seeing a bowl with white stuff until they get a taste, then they start protesting that I tricked them.

 

[juststruttin]

Yep, they love it!!! and its good for them