ACV and Garlic for layers

[ChristineMac]

Hello everyone,
I have noticed that there are tonnes of posts about garlic and acv for hens and other livestock on the www. I have also noticed that people add garlic to their food or to their water and then add acv to their water as well (if it is a plastic or glass waterer only). Does anyone float the garlic in acv and let it sit for a while then add the acv to the water? I'm just looking for anyway to decrease the number of steps that I have to do on a daily basis. Thanks for your insight!

 

[makmm]

I put ACV in their water and garlic powder in their food. I also ferment their food too, it saves a lot of food because they can't scratch it out on the ground!

 

[Smuvers Farm]

I don't use ACV in the water, or at all, as it can cause imbalances in the chickie tummies. I DO add garlic powder to their fermented feed. I just eyeball it. Actually, I use garlic powder, oregano and nutritional yeast in their fermented feed. Makes it smell like pizza!!!

 

[JaeG]

It's best to offer fresh, chopped garlic free choice as overdosing their food can cause garlicky tasting eggs. They know how much they need. I personally don't use ACV in their water as it can inhibit their ability to absorb enough calcium. http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/07/make-raw-apple-cider-vinegar-acv-with.html

I do ferment their food though and they love it.

 

[ChristineMac]

Thank you for your help. When you ferment their food, what do you use as a base and how long do you ferment it for? How much do you feed? Just wondering before I get into this hardcore when we move the girls into their winter house next weekend as it might believe it or not, snow here on Monday. Arggh.... Anyways any thoughts on this are appreciated. Take care.

 

[ChristineMac]

sorry I should read what I write before posting it. By base I meant a crumble or a grain based diet.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Thank you for your help. When you ferment their food, what do you use as a base and how long do you ferment it for? How much do you feed? Just wondering before I get into this hardcore when we move the girls into their winter house next weekend as it might believe it or not, snow here on Monday. Arggh.... Anyways any thoughts on this are appreciated. Take care.

You can ferment crumble, pellet or grain. It all depends on what YOU feel comfortable feeding. You should make a *starter* ferment, which is about 1-2 cups of your regular feed, add enough water to make it a little runnier than oatmeal, put a lid on loosely, and then put it in a warm spot for 3-5 days. (Warm spot could be an oven with the light on). When it starts to bubble, and you start to smell it, it is fermented.

Go to the search at the top of any page and type in fermented feed. LOTS of helpful information.

Also, I feed about 1/2C fermented feed per chicken. They also get scratch and free range.

 

[ChristineMac]

Thank you very much for your help!

 

[LittleWillowFarm]

Only feed garlic in little bits, it can make your eggs taste weird and garlic