Infused water

[SwtGrc]

Are any of you using garlic or oregano etc in chicken water?
I'm sure ACV is what's most common.
Pros? Cons? To doing so??
Thanks everyone!

 

[JaeG]

Garlic is easy to overdose on which leads to garlicky tasting eggs. Offer it to them free choice and they know how much they need - mine love it when I give them some chopped, fresh garlic.

I just stick to fresh water as ACV, being acidic, can affect a hens ability to absorb calcium. You could give it as a winter supplement though.

I'm not sure about oregano. It's not one I've read much about.

 

[BYC910]

Same here good feed and clean fresh water . Most quality feeds have all the vitamins and minerals that your chickens need . Some holistic treatment is ok but there is no guarantee that they do the job you want them to do .

 

[SwtGrc]

Thank you both @JaeG and @BYC910
I'll just offer clean water with a side of fresh garlic
Have either of you used Nutri-Drench?

 

[Folly's place]

I offer fresh water and good food, and leave out all the supplaments!
Mary

 

[lazy gardener]

Thank you both @JaeG and @BYC910
I'll just offer clean water with a side of fresh garlic
Have either of you used Nutri-Drench?

I do not use ACV. In the beginning, before I started fermenting my feed, I did use ACV. Now, they just get plain fresh water.

However, in the summer, I have given them electrolytes, especially during those first hot summer days, before they've become acclimated to the weather change.

I had a grow out pen of youngsters several years ago. They were about 9 weeks old. It was a warm day, and I noticed several of them stumbling around. My first fear was Marek's disease. But, taking the temperature into account, and realizing that I myself was dizzy from working in the heat, I realized that they could be reacting to the heat. I mixed up some home made electrolyte solution and gave it to the entire flock. Within 1/2 hour, those youngsters were acting fine again.

Poultry Nutri-Drench is my go to. I had a hen who was a moon walker. She was a wonderful layer. Any time her body got stressed: cold weather, or molting, she'd start moon walking. I'd give her a shot of PND, and that would set her back to walking like a normal chicken again. All of my chicks get PND in their first 2 weeks of life. I also give my breeding flock some multi vits for a couple of weeks, prior to collecting hatching eggs.

 

[SwtGrc]

I do not use ACV. In the beginning, before I started fermenting my feed, I did use ACV. Now, they just get plain fresh water.

However, in the summer, I have given them electrolytes, especially during those first hot summer days, before they've become acclimated to the weather change.

I had a grow out pen of youngsters several years ago. They were about 9 weeks old. It was a warm day, and I noticed several of them stumbling around. My first fear was Marek's disease. But, taking the temperature into account, and realizing that I myself was dizzy from working in the heat, I realized that they could be reacting to the heat. I mixed up some home made electrolyte solution and gave it to the entire flock. Within 1/2 hour, those youngsters were acting fine again.

Poultry Nutri-Drench is my go to. I had a hen who was a moon walker. She was a wonderful layer. Any time her body got stressed: cold weather, or molting, she'd start moon walking. I'd give her a shot of PND, and that would set her back to walking like a normal chicken again. All of my chicks get PND in their first 2 weeks of life. I also give my breeding flock some multi vits for a couple of weeks, prior to collecting hatching eggs.

Thank you for all the great info!!