Why are people feeding birds yogurt?

[Kung Foo Chicken]

I've gotten the same responses from experts (avian vets I called).
They say that birds cannot digest yogurt and will cause diarrhea
and maybe death. The enzymes and bacteria are designed for humans,
not fowl.

One of them told me that she has had to put down many sick birds that
could be saved but, the owner fed their birds (parrots, chickens, etc.)
yogurt and caused them to to waste away based on silly Internet rumors.

 

[gritsar]

My chickens get yogurt regularly, my dogs get yogurt regularly, my cats get it as an occasional treat, I eat yogurt daily to combat some of the meds. I have to take.
Yogurt is good for you. And the chickens love it.
Hasn't killed my chickens, my dogs, my cats or me.

 

[underground chickenman]

I mix plain yogurt with crumbles to the thickness of cooked oatmeal. They love it. During the hot summer, I will freeze quart-sized tubs of plain yogurt and dump the frozen block in the run every once in a while on a really hot day. They will peck at it until it is gone, giving nourishment and relief from the heat.

I have never had any trouble, nor have I noticed any diarrhea or other complications. Healthy as can be. I wouldn't give them sweetened yogurt though.

UGCM

 

[Tailfeathers]

I just got a message in my email on this thread and it reminded me that I hadn't heard anything from The Chicken Doctor (Peter Brown) yet. I went to the site and saw that no reply had been made so I bumped up the question again and hope to see what he says soon.

God Bless,

 

[dlhunicorn]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=17054&p=1

 

[Kung Foo Chicken]

Thanks Diana.

I think I will use a probiotics made specifically for birds.


Anyway what is your thoughts on this product?
http://www.petag.com/images/products/Bene-Bac Bird Powder PDS.pdf
It is for birds and reptiles.

 

[chookchick]

I'm still not convinced that yogurt with active cultures is bad for chickens. As others have stated, I am lactose intolerant, and I can eat yogurt without problems. It would be a good, easy to acquire, easy to feed, source of pro-biotics. I would like to hear more pros and cons, and more expert opinion on this subject. Perhaps we could define which brands are suitable for active cultures.

 

[Kaela23]

The oatmeal with yogurt sounds yummy for anyone. Do you think horses would benefit as well? I am going to try this for my hens and two roosters.

 

[Cuddles with Chickens]

I just had a farm vet in my backyard today (our neighbors had him over to check their goat and he stopped over to peep at our chickens)--I was so proud of myself for having plain nonfat yogurt out as a treat for our chickens--this vet also said that yogurt is should NOT be given to chickens as their systems cannot process dairy (including yogurt) and it upsets their stomachs. When I told some of our other friends with chickens this they were also surprised and said they had been giving yogurt to chickens for years without a problem...I think to be on the safe side I will not feed yogurt to our chickens anymore, I love them too much to take the chance. It could be one of those things that they love but are not good for them--kinda like me and cheesecake!

 

[Organics North]

Some one over in feeding and watering asked about yogurt.
Here is what I posted and my opinion.

Really... Simply do a 1 min google search on what bacteria is in commercial poultry probiotics and what is in yogurt. No offense but this is a no brainer to me.. IMO yogurt is not milk any more it is a bacterial culture!

OK here is my take. About 1 min spent on google comparing commercial poultry probiotic bacteria to those found in Yogurt.
Take Lactobacillus, often found in yogurt and often found in commercial poultry probiotics.

So buy the commercial stuff for lots of money with a fancy package and a picture of a chicken or feed a little yogurt..
Your choice.
Just do the research.

Maybe those phD folks got stakes in all the expensive commercial probiotics being offered these days...

Oh by the way. I am in no way pro milk. Milk is for nursing mammals. It is my opinion children and adults should consume it in moderation.
Eat more Yogurt!!

ON