Wheat and Gluten Free

[6chickens in St. Charles]

Last time I posted my fat little chickens got too much scratch, some of the links included info about wheat in feed is bad for chickens.

Now my very own human lab results are in, yesterday the doc explained I will not eat wheat for the rest of my human life. The MD letter included my autoimmune disease state is related to 2, count them TWO genes expressing gluten sensitivity, but also stated "90 percent of Americans have one gene expressing gluten sensitivity".

So what is up with wheat? What the hay?! DH compares it to the fall of the roman empire being due to plumbing, but Roman plumbing was made of lead, so they all got insane and made really bad decisions. So we have easily grown food, but our food is made of wheat, which is making us sick. So the kids want to feed our chickens leftover sandwich bits from their lunchsaks, but really the chickens are not supposed to get wheat. And neither am I. Oh woe is me.

What's in laying feed, anyways? The label says its all vegetarian. What is it? Not that it matters, my chickens dont eat much of it anyways. They eat grass and bugs and little varmints they catch. But what is up with wheat? I feel so cornfused.

 

[KDbeads]

6chickens in St. Charles :

Now my very own human lab results are in, yesterday the doc explained I will not eat wheat for the rest of my human life. The MD letter included my autoimmune disease state is related to 2, count them TWO genes expressing gluten sensitivity, but also stated "90 percent of Americans have one gene expressing gluten sensitivity".

Oh boy, being a celiac is NOT fun but it's manageable!

For chickens? Have no idea, growing up we fed ours cracked wheat and corn and had no problems.​

 

[Maidservant]

Wheat won't hurt chickens, and it is actually recommended instead of cracked corn for scratch feed. I think 13% protein compaired to 8-9%.

I am not sure that the gluten can be transferred to the meat or eggs, but I don't doubt it. If you're willing to invest the time, you can mix your own feed that is gluten free. It will be more expensive unless you have a place to get free or wholesale priced grains.

There are a few places online that have feed mix recipes, you might have to dig for them though.

There are a few really good groups on Yahoo! about gluten free living and recipes. I will say one thing, I love my gluten free pizza crust! I need to start eating gluten free again. I haven't been actually diagnosed (don't have the $$) but I did feel much better when I didn't eat gluten. Also, if you like pancakes, try buckwheat flour! It's gluten free and really good!

Hope this helps,
Emily

 

[6chickens in St. Charles]

Thanks for the good advice, its comforting. Its curious, tho, how wheat has become such a bad guy in our society. Didnt it used to be the poster boy for wholesome living? Whole wheat, cracked wheat, wheatena, shredded wheat, Panera bread, etc..... What now?

Drive thru's are my biggest problem. I went shopping with DH for stuff to keep with me for before and after my 12hour shifts when I'm pretty much driving in a panic for sustenance and sleep. So far, I have fresh sweetcorn, instant coffee and trailmix. I figure the fresh sweetcorn will satisfy my urge to hold and chew something while I try to drive home awake and alive. I know about gluten free breads but I am still in a lot of pain so I want to avoid all bready things for a few months. And I'm replacing my cheese urge with avocados.