KEFIR - who makes it, drinks it, and/or feeds it to their chickens?

[Hinotori]

I don't think I'd give them to such young chicks yet. They only have little throats. Yes I'd make sure they have grit to grind it up.

 

[EllyHood]

I don't think I'd give them to such young chicks yet. They only have little throats. Yes I'd make sure they have grit to grind it up.

How old should they be before I give it to them? What if I chopped it up super fine or mashed it? Would the kefir grains be ok? I have some extra I either need to give to them or compost.

 

[Hinotori]

I only give kefir grains to my adult birds because the young ones don't think about breaking up their food. That is just my preference though. The dogs get most of the grains as they love them.

 

[EllyHood]

You give your dogs water kefir grains or milk kefir grains? I only have WKG.

 

[Hinotori]

Milk kefir, but I have a friend that has water kefir that gives them to their dog. It's probiotics for them. Just don't give to much at once.

 

[Shellz]

Great thread! Just discovered this & will have to try it. Anyone know of any good sources of kefir grains (water & milk) in Canada? I'll check kijijji.

 

[pdirt]

We have one Ameracauna that just seemed not to be doing as well, we weren't quite sure what. She also laid very thin-shelled eggs. She seemed to eat plenty of oyster shell. We were almost going to put her in the soup pot until I started mixing up the mash they won't eat from the bottom of their feeder with kefir. I mixed it to an oatmeal like consistency. The Ameracauna was ALWAYS the first one there to eat it and the last to leave. She tore into it like it was saving her life. I've never seen a chicken so focused! After a couple months of this, her egg shells became normal strength. Her eggs also got a lot bigger. Coincidence maybe, but the story I tell myself is that the probiotics in the kefir were slowly improving her digestion and ability to absorb calcium (both from oyster shell and the kefir itself). Now all the birds are getting probiotics from fermented feed. When she starts laying again I will do the kefir again if she seems to start laying thin shells again.

<== The Ameracauna is the second bird from the right, between the Barred Rock and Welsummer

 

[nab58]

Can someone lend some advice on milk kefir making? I'm about to throw my grains away....I'm so frustrated.
I've been trying to make kefir for about 4 weeks. Either nothing happens at all or it curdles and separates. I've had it on the counter, in the oven with the light on and now on my cable box in attempts keep it at proper temp.
I've had several online chats with the company I bought it from and their suggestions have not helped.
I'm using skim milk but have also tried with whole. I'm not using ultra pasteurized.

 

[Hinotori]

Curdled means it set to long for the temp. I'd put it in that spot until correct consistency. Then strain the grains out and put in milk in fridge until time to put back in the warm spot.

It's about 65 on average in my house and 24 hours on the counter does good. In summer temps are to warm for that time frame.

 

[EllyHood]

Great thread! Just discovered this & will have to try it.

Anyone know of any good sources of kefir grains (water & milk) in Canada? I'll check kijijji.

This group has all sorts of starters they send all over the world for just the cost of shipping. Cultures For Health sells reliable cultures if you want to buy some.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/181445115312844/?fref=ts