PROBIOTICS for you and your chickens

[Myabcs3]

I have been following from the sidelines and wanted to say "thank you" for the taking the time to contribute the information and results!

 

[Mattemma]

I bought some plain lifeway Kefir on Monday.It only has 10 strains of bacteria unlike the 45 mentioned in this thread,but I am going to add it to a pot of warm milk and see what I get.

 

[vmdanielsen]

Quote:
Having only 10 strains of bacteria could account for the flavor difference of my homegrown and store bought . Before I had my grain , I would drink take some kefir out of the container then replace it with milk. This worked for a while. Never grew a grain, but then I was ignorant and did'nt try to propagate one. Good luck and let me know how you fare!
Ginny

 

[AndreaS]

Quote:
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

Thanks Ginny! Last night's batch did go to the animals and they loved it!
I will probably try a smoothie for breakfast tomorrow with tonight's batch. The little baggy of kefir grains and milk I got from the lady smelled great, kind of like a white russian, mildly alcoholic with vanilla undertones. I'm thinking about ripening some under air lock with a vanilla bean!

I'll keep trying until I find the perfect combination of flavors.

 

[emarble]

Quote:
If mine travels fine I will be able to supply grains to some of the people here if they want!! Also possibly Kombucha cultures too!! I looked at the flat rate mailers and they are about $5 to $6 dollars so that is how I am shipping here in Missouri and try it! The mailers are flat rate envelopes Priority appx 3 days delivery so I think I may have a plan as long as I mail on monday to wed then they should be to point of destination by saturday!!

Ernie

 

[emarble]

Quote:
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) adjust
Keep trying!!hat
Ginny

Thanks Ginny! Last night's batch did go to the animals and they loved it!
I will probably try a smoothie for breakfast tomorrow with tonight's batch. The little baggy of kefir grains and milk I got from the lady smelled great, kind of like a white russian, mildly alcoholic with vanilla undertones. I'm thinking about ripening some under air lock with a vanilla bean!

I'll keep trying until I find the perfect combination of flavors.

My initial batches were not that great and I forced myself to drink them but the chickens and outside cats and dog loved them and I kept making them and as you go you grow more grains and the taste starts to mellow some and I have found that if you age in the refrigerator for a couple days that mellows it! If you are going to add vanilla bean wait till the aging process after it is been 24 hours and strained then add the Vanilla bean and let sit in the refrigerator for a couple of days!!

I made some the other day and put in a quart jar with orange peel and cinnamon bark set 2 days and not too bad!! It takes a little bit but you adjust to the taste as it mellows and as always it is really benificial to your system

As Ginny says too the fruit added to it and Mmmmmmmmm its good that way (I may try the vanilla bean thing that sounds good too

Ernie

 

[featherbaby]

What would happen if you put a drop of vanilla extract into the batch ripening in the refrigerator? Would it kill the bacteria?

I've ordered my starter culture but it hasn't arrived yet. When I put it in a jar, how much milk should I put on it initially? I'm getting a tablespoon of culture. Some people put a quart over it but I don't know if that's too much milk at first or not. I'm so afraid it'll taste nasty and I won't want to drink it. Somebody reassure me it will be OK????

 

[vmdanielsen]

Quote:
Thanks Ginny! Last night's batch did go to the animals and they loved it!
I will probably try a smoothie for breakfast tomorrow with tonight's batch. The little baggy of kefir grains and milk I got from the lady smelled great, kind of like a white russian, mildly alcoholic with vanilla undertones. I'm thinking about ripening some under air lock with a vanilla bean!

I'll keep trying until I find the perfect combination of flavors.

My initial batches were not that great and I forced myself to drink them but the chickens and outside cats and dog loved them and I kept making them and as you go you grow more grains and the taste starts to mellow some and I have found that if you age in the refrigerator for a couple days that mellows it! If you are going to add vanilla bean wait till the aging process after it is been 24 hours and strained then add the Vanilla bean and let sit in the refrigerator for a couple of day

I made some the other day and put in a quart jar with orange peel and cinnamon bark set 2 days and not too bad!! It takes a little bit but you adjust to the taste as it mellows and as always it is really benificial to your system

As Ginny says too the fruit added to it and Mmmmmmmmm its good that way (I may try the vanilla bean thing that sounds good too

Ernie

both you guys have great ideas for flavoring! let me know how it works out!
Ginny

 

[vmdanielsen]

Quote:
I would not put any flavoring in until after culturing. I don't know how much milk to put in. I started out with a grain that my sister gave to me(thanks Sarah!). I sometimes do as little as a cup to a quart. Maybe I'm just not fussy. I bet Ernie or Andrea can help with this one!!
Ginny

 

[Miss Lydia]

Ernie I like your idea, I couldn't afford the keifer lady, so let us know how it goes okay. I'll have to go back and copy down the recipes for both keifer and Kombucha, this is getting interesting!