poultry spice, garlic, cider vinegar...I'm confused!

[lainey lou]

Obviously I want to do the best for my girls and I keep hearing to put garlic or apple cider vinegar in their water, give them spice, marmite, porridge, tuna.......etc etc.
What's good for what?

[MaureenHall]

I give mine poultry spice if there's been a run of soft/no-shell eggs (they're all ex-batts so I suppose coming towards the end of their very productive life). Likewise, I put LifeGuard Tonic in the water. Porridge, well I make up a mash of the layers pellets with warm water and maybe add a few cooked potatoes as a treat. I'll probably give them oat porridge in the winter to keep them warm. Though I haven't tried it, chooks are supposed to like marmite on a bit of bread (vitamin B supplement?). I've never given them any meat or fish so I don't know about that bit. Apple cider vinegar I think is a tonic, similar to the Life Guard but probably a lot cheaper! Garlic is supposed to keep the mites and lice away, put a clove of it in their water.
Mainly go with what your instincts tell you, if they're off-colour them treat them accordingly, otherwise, if it's not broken don't mend it.
Give treats sparingly late afternoon / early evening after they've had their pellets, 'cos the pellets contain everything they need for a balanced diet. Keep some grit and shell available for them and you should be fine
Best of luck xxx

[Snadger]

I think chooks will eat just about anything! I give mine some tonic in there water, but just because I was given it for free. I have an unopened tub of poultry spice which I am keeping for when the cold weather sets in.

Just out of interest the Victorian poultry book I'm reading at present suggests ale soaked bread as a tonic and diced raw ox liver!

It also states that the main reason for hens not laying is that they are being fed TOO much!

[MaureenHall]

I think chooks will eat just about anything! I give mine some tonic in there water, but just because I was given it for free. I have an unopened tub of poultry spice which I am keeping for when the cold weather sets in.

Just out of interest the Victorian poultry book I'm reading at present suggests ale soaked bread as a tonic and diced raw ox liver!

It also states that the main reason for hens not laying is that they are being fed TOO much!

Ahhhhhhhhhh I wonder if I starve them a bit if I'll get more eggs then? Right, they're on basic rations this weekend and if they don't eat it all up they'll get it for breakfast next day!!

[alanm]

treats

Hi, we have been giving our girls sardines in sunflower oil once a fortnight for a treat, they go mad for it ,plus the oil and extra vitamins must be good for them.....

[Hilary B]

Sardines may help with shell formation (fish bones, softened by the canning process, are a wonderful source of calcium. Much more readily absorbed than most other forms). There is a slight risk of getting fishy-tasting eggs some days (probably a couple of days after the fishy treat).

[Don Vincenzo]

Obviously I want to do the best for my girls and I keep hearing to put garlic or apple cider vinegar in their water, give them spice, marmite, porridge, tuna.......etc etc.
What's good for what?

Hello LL
Cider vinegar, plenty of garlic, rosemary, 1 lemon, some terragon, some olive oil, salt and pepper. Marinate the chicken for 24 hours. Cook as usual.
Regards
Don Vincenzo

[rats]

all great tips on how to keep the girls happy i tend to hang a cabbage up for them to eat they love IT

[Flummery]

I got the impression the cider vinegar in the water acts as a vermicide. Not as good as a bi-annual treating with Flubenvet - which you should do if they free range apparently - but helps to keep worm infections from getting a hold in the first place..

[Snadger]

I got the impression the cider vinegar in the water acts as a vermicide. Not as good as a bi-annual treating with Flubenvet - which you should do if they free range apparently - but helps to keep worm infections from getting a hold in the first place..

There you go Flum, quote from the Nutimin label!

"Apple Cider Vinegar
A total Natural Organic, anti-bacterial, anti-coccidial anthelmintic and tonic beneficial effects for all livestock and poultry. Increases egg supply,improves feathering and improves flavour and tenderness of meat birds."

I think the anthelmintic bit is the bit you are refering to!

[Twinkle]

I buy tuna in oil for us, and drain the oil and mix it with the layers pellets - saves the smell of pouring it down the sink...

Can't seem to get the proper cider vinegar here - it's not the supermarket stuff is it ? It's the unrefined stuff you need...

garlic powder routinely in with the feed and poultry spice when they're moulting

[Flummery]

There you go Flum, quote from the Nutimin label!

"Apple Cider Vinegar
A total Natural Organic, anti-bacterial, anti-coccidial anthelmintic and tonic beneficial effects for all livestock and poultry. Increases egg supply,improves feathering and improves flavour and tenderness of meat birds."

I think the anthelmintic bit is the bit you are refering to!

Cor - it's a foreign lingo isn't it?

[Flummery]

I buy tuna in oil for us, and drain the oil and mix it with the layers pellets - saves the smell of pouring it down the sink...

Can't seem to get the proper cider vinegar here - it's not the supermarket stuff is it ? It's the unrefined stuff you need...

garlic powder routinely in with the feed and poultry spice when they're moulting

The cider vinegar is the stuff you get in the Horse section of farming suppliers. I assume it serves the same purpose for a horse. - Maybe it makes their feathers glossy!

[Snadger]

The cider vinegar is the stuff you get in the Horse section of farming suppliers. I assume it serves the same purpose for a horse. - Maybe it makes their feathers glossy!

Whenever I see a picture of Pegasus he looks well about him, so he must drink it!

[lainey lou]

Thank you all and Don Vincenzo you're a bad boy!