Yogurt?

[Chickylet]

I have a question. I see yogurt mentioned as a nice treat for the girls. But what kind of yogurt? I'm assuming not the overly sweetened, fruit on the bottom kind, is not the right one for them. Is there something particular I should look for? Greek yogurt? Unsweetened yogurt? Does it even matter?

Thanks for any advice,
Elissa

 

[Relleoms]

I treat with plain Greek yogurt. They love it!!! But I would think any unflavored would work.
ETA: I mix their crumble feed with it so I get bulk without adding too much yogurt. And it’s very messy!

 

[lazy gardener]

Elissa, chickens do not readily digest lactose. That being said, fermented milk products (yogurt and such) would have much of the lactose broken down. I don't give yogurt to my birds b/c I am too tight fisted. however, when I have milk that does not pass the sniff test for human consumption, I put it out on the counter to "clabber". I then give it to the girls, and they thoroughly enjoy it. Farmers used to give excess milk to their chickens.

https://hencam.com/henblog/2012/03/milk-fed-hens/

So, while current wisdom says that chickens can't or shoudn't digest dairy, it used to be common practice to give dairy to chickens to fatten them up. Like so many other issues surrounding animal husbandry, there is no one right way to do things. All things in moderation. Realize that too much of a good thing can be a very bad thing. Fat chickens are chickens who are prone to reproductive issues.

For young birds, I'd stick to their starter feed, and give them a plug of sod, and scrambled eggs as their only treats until they are turned loose in coop and run. I always provide my chicks with Poultry Nutri Drench for the first 2 weeks, and intermittently for the rest of the first month. But, a bit of yogurt will not hurt them.

 

[chickens really]

Not sure where that fad of yogurt got started but Chickens do not need it..A probiotic can be fed for good gut flora and then again not needed..Balanced nutrition from feed is all they really need...

 

[chickenE]

I use plain, unsweetened, whole milk, Greek yogurt. I dollop out some to take them when I making myself yogurt for breakfast. My ladies LOVE it.

 

[chickens really]

I use plain, unsweetened, whole milk, Greek yogurt. I dollop out some to take them when I making myself yogurt for breakfast. My ladies LOVE it.

Chickens pretty much eat anything so it up to us to provide them with treats and feed that provide balanced nutrition..

 

[chickenE]

Yogurt is a great source of protein and calcium.

 

[chickens really]

Balanced feed is as is oyster shell..

 

[chickenE]

2x on oyster shell for calcium.

@chickens really is correct that yogurt should not be the main food source. I do like to give it to my girls for a treat.

 

[chickens really]

2x on oyster shell for calcium.

@chickens really is correct that yogurt should not be the main food source. I do like to give it to my girls for a treat.

Remember this...You are what you eat..Chickens suffer from fatty liver disease and many laying or crop issues due to being fed a diet not sufficient for Birds..Just saying and it's totally up to each owner of Birds to do as they please...