Why are people feeding birds yogurt?

[gardenergirl]

I mix plain yogurt with some Quaker Oats and my chickens love it!

 

[elmo]

Give yogurt after a course of antibiotics is completed, not during. Antibiotics kill bad bacteria, but also the beneficial gut bacteria. Once you've finished the course of antibiotics, the idea is to jump start regrowing beneficial gut bacteria by feeding yogurt with live cultures.

 

[Galaxiedriver]

I'm not a chicken, but I am also terribly lactose intolerant. I don't dare drink milk, but yogurt does not bother me.

 

[Goat_Walker]

So if yougurt is good for chickens... is it good for ducks too?

 

[Tailfeathers]

I have gone back to Dr. McCrea and asked her to clarify her remarks as to whether or not that included yogurt. In my question to her I mentioned feeding my birds a mixture of various things of which included a few different dairy products including milk.

Based on what I've read here since my original post, I think she'll probably come back and say yogurt is ok.

God Bless,

 

[WizChick]

I give my girls yogurt just about every morning.
I started to when my first one started laying eggs. She has a habit of laying two soft shell eggs then a double yoked egg then a soft shell and a funky light color deformed egg. They have layer feed available to them at all times however they would rather free range then eat it or the oyster shell which is also available. I figured I needed to find another calcium supply that would help with the soft shell egg issue. The yogurt has helped some however she is still an inconsistent layer.
I have more eggs then I know what to do with so I have been giving some to my boss. He purchases farm fresh eggs often but he says he has never had any that are as rich as mine. He asked me what I feed them and we laughed when I mentioned the yogurt. I can't stop giving them yogurt now. I have the best eggs in the area.

 

[Pampered Chicken]

I have 22 chickens how much would I feed them and how often?

 

[Tailfeathers]

Well, I must admit I'm surprised. Here is Dr. McCrea's response to my inquiry as to whether yogurt is included in her definition of "dairy products" and after I told her I've read all kinds of recommendations to use yogurt:

"Poultry do not produce the enzyme Lactase and therefore cannot digest the sugar Lactose. All dairy products contain Lactose, including yogurt. Yes, there are beneficial bacteria, but they are designed for humans, not poultry. You will still induce diarrhea and that will not allow the "probiotic" bacteria to attach and perform many of the beneficial functions that we humans enjoy. This is yet another case of people not consulting with their poultry specialists. Stories are spread via the internet and hearsay that are not based upon scientific fact. Always consult with your state poultry extension specialist or poultry extension veterinarian. As for Doc, you may need to post on his section for him to get your question."

I am now going to post an inquiry for Peter Brown to read those responses and let me know if he agrees.

God Bless,

 

[MissPrissy]

Quote:
Cultured dairy products and raw dairy products do not react the same way in chickens gut as commercially produced milk. Cultured dairy uses enzymes to change the lactose to lactic acid. Lots of farmers are moving over to a 'milk fed' type of organic and more natural chicken for meat these days as well. Feeding a chicken to produce eggs or meat is not the same as feeding a chicken for show or a pet.

I have dairy goats and my chickens love getting anything they can from my leftover buckets of milk, yogurt, creams, buttermilk etc. They also get buttermilk, yogurt, kefir, cheese and anything else I have to give.

 

[KKatknap]

My girls get a mix of warm (not hot) oatmeal and yogurt most mornings. Not tons...just a treat. They go gaga when they see me coming. I have seen no diarrhea, and they have not had a single health problem in the year I have had them.
And it makes them happy.