Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[drstratton]

I thought PJs were the chickening uniform

Surely the full chickening uniform is PJs and gumboots, with optional dressing gown?

No, PJs & thongs here. Dressing gown optional but only in winter.

Alas, I am one of those fools who uses flip flops.

Ditto.

All of the above applies to my chickening apparel...

 

[featherhead007]

that doesn't happen insurance wise

If I did have that option, I would visit @BY Bob and his family in less than a heartbeat . My bird only goes 240mph at best. Maybe someday

 

[fuentemoon]

I was ready to ship them all to freezer camp this morning. This constant egg laying Marco Polo has to stop. I almost picked Lilly up and separated her just to shut them up. I do not need the neighbors complaining about the noise. Not mention the fact that yesterday Lilly full on crowed at me in the morning. Maybe I will just zip tie their beaks shut every night and cut them loose after the eggs are laid. I'm telling you it is too darn much.

Oh boy do I understand

 

[drstratton]

It is absurdly simple:
- Source some Kefir grains - Craig's List, Amazon, specialty Kefir sites, neighbors, friends
- Place grains in a jar and fill jar with milk
- Cover jar to keep dust off (I use a coffee filter secured with a rubber band)
- Every couple of days scoop them out of the jar and put in a clean jar with fresh milk
- The milk left over has miraculously turned to Kefir

There are a few 'tricks' to keep in mind:
- Wash hands and keep things clean so you don't contaminate the culture
- When they start getting too active divide the grain population in half - you can eat the discarded grains or feed them to the chickens - I rather like them so I tend to eat them myself
- If your grains are traumatized - like when you first get them, or if you neglect them, you can revive them by putting them in milk until they perk up again
- I find it easier to fish them out if they are in a container - I use little bamboo baskets from Thailand because Kefir doesn't love metal and you need big holes so the milk flows over them - I just find it a lot easier to fish out a basket than it is to skim for the grains

Over time you will learn what consistency and degree of sourness you like - the longer you leave them the more it will turn into cheese and the more sour it will taste.

Here is a link to a Kefir site that explains it - and really it is even simpler than they say here:
https://www.culturesforhealth.com/learn/milk-kefir/how-to-make-milk-kefir/

And here is a link to Amazon site for Kefir grains - you can get them cheaper for sure - if you check Craig's list people even give them away because they multiply so fast (it is a bit like us with eggs in spring!) - but this one comes with an e-book on how to do it if you never have
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007GGRJTG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I find the grains are pretty tough - they freeze well (I have used grains that were frozen for 3 years), and even when I neglect them badly they can always be nursed back to life. The only time I have thrown any away is once I got black mold on the Kefir and that felt like something I wasn't comfortable dealing with!

Thank you so much for taking the time to share this RC! I have it bookmarked.

 

[RoyalChick]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share this RC! I have it bookmarked.

I should have mentioned there is something called water Kefir - it uses different grains I think and I assume creates bubbly water but I have no idea about that! I am a traditional gal and traditional is milk like yoghurt!

 

[RoyalChick]

I should have mentioned there is something called water Kefir - it uses different grains I think and I assume creates bubbly water but I have no idea about that! I am a traditional gal and traditional is milk like yoghurt!

Chicken tax. Princesses on safari.

 

[drstratton]

I should have mentioned there is something called water Kefir - it uses different grains I think and I assume creates bubbly water but I have no idea about that! I am a traditional gal and traditional is milk like yoghurt!

Thank you! I will probably stick with milk too!

 

[drstratton]

I have coop clogs (with chickens on them naturally) rather than gumboots.

I have boots with chickens on them! My girls love the red color...
Boots & chicken tax!

 

[BY Bob]

Page 2000! 3604 pages to go! My math: making progress!

You are doing great!

 

[drstratton]

Today is my birthday and I got to spend it with my family and amazing friends.

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Bob was kind enough to invite us down for a swim and a visit. I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting his daughter, Mary and sweet Eve.

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They surprised me with an ice cream cake and everything!

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All the chooks came by to say hi and beg for treats. Phyllis is ok, she has switched nests but is still sitting. It was a lovely day all around!

Happy birthday! What a wonderful way to celebrate!