PROBIOTICS for you and your chickens

[AndreaS]

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I searched my local Craigslist. The lady I got it from was selling kefir for $5 and kombucha for $7

 

[AndreaS]

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thanks for the sticky answer!

So since now I know what a sticky is (Learn something new everyday) HOW do they become stickys??? Inquiring Minds want to know!!!

Ernie

I think a moderator has to do it....and it seems to usually only be for topics/questions that come up very frequently.

 

[AlabamaChickenLady]

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I searched my local Craigslist. The lady I got it from was selling kefir for $5 and kombucha for $7

I did a search on my local Craigslist and I didn't find anything in my local area. I guess I'll get my starter supplies from the KeferLady.com. I'm still searching for a farmers market that is close to me.

I'm all for the Sticky tab for this Subject. I love this.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I haven't been adding any input to this thread but I have enjoyed reading it.

 

[emarble]

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Yep this has become quite the world of information and has been great!!

Ernie

 

[AlabamaChickenLady]

Ernie - I found out this information in my researching for Kefir grains.

"live Kefir grains are extremely resistant, so shipping them through mail is fine. Kefir grains that I shipped during coldest days of winter, or hottest days of summer still live and are shared by many members of our Kefir community. Mind you, I wasn't even shipping dried ones, but live, real Kefir grains."

I found this on a website that has members that share Kefir for free. You just have to pay for the cost of shipping. I have requested some free Kefir grains (from here in Alabama) that will only cost me $10 to be shipped. This website also sells Kefir Grains. But there is 3 links to request free Kefir..... scroll down the page to find it.

http://www.yourkefirsource.com/kefir-grains/free-kefir-grains

I would assume that the biggest problem you would face is keeping it from getting squashed and getting it to somone quickly, like a day or two. Maybe if you put it into a zip lock baggie, then into a small empyt box of some kind, then shipped it. Or you could put it into a small half pint jar with some milk then ship it. I'll let you know how mine arrives when I get it.


A.K.A - LCOODE I changed my login name so my email wouldn't be out there all the time.

 

[emarble]

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Yea when I got mine they were in a small ziplock bag that was inside another zip lock bag and in a Flat rate mailing envelope so I am going to try that to someone here in missouri and see how it works and if so I think I can ship almost anywhere (I Hope)

Ernie

 

[AndreaS]

Hey guys

SO....I decided to try My first 24 hour kefir last night. It looked about like the pictures on Dom's website, with tiny pockets of whey in it. The taste was super yeasty and sour- kind of like a mix of sourdough starter and buttermilk. We weren't crazy about it, but I read that sometimes the grains go through kind of a *funky* period before adjusting to a new milk or environment. I used organic whole milk (pasteurized and homegonized - I can't find raw milk here), put my grains in a clean ball quart jar with about a cup of milk, and put some clean cotton cloth over the top attached with the canning jar lid. It sat in a kitchen cabinet for just about 24 hours. I was going to try ripening it for a day or two, but I heard that it gets more sour with ripening.

How long did it take your kefir grains to adjust? Or, does this sound like the correct flavor?

Thank you!!!

 

[vmdanielsen]

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Andrea,
My first couple of batches went to the animals......cats, dog and chickens because I couldn't stand the smell, nor the texture. I was used to store bought with flavors. Even the plain was better than mine. SSOOO... I started doing smoothies with it with lots of fruit. Bananas, blue berries strawberries, WHATEVER, with not much kefir. Soon, I was licking the spoon with just the kefir on it and now I wouldn't go back to store bought. I use organic 2% and it works fine. It may take a while before the kefir (and maybe you) adjusts.
Keep trying!!
Ginny

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks for the link emarble, I'll be waiting to hear how yours traveled, before ordering. I buy my kefir at the grocery store a little on the expensive side to say the least.