is it possible for some herbs to reverse beneficial effects of vitamins and such in chickens like spinach can absorb calcium from the chickens gut

[JPadronMiami]

Each chicken would have to be eating their weight in spinach every day for it to affect calcium absorption. Some of the alarms that go off with eating too much of certain things when it comes to nutrients absorption and toxicity make me laugh. The other day for example, I was reading an article written by a scientist that was ranting about how alarmed he was because it was legal for supplements to contain a certain vitamin. The whole premise of the article was too much of this vitamin is toxic and therefore it shouldn’t be available freely to the public(too much of anything can be toxic). I couldn’t stop laughing when I got to the study that “proved” his theory of toxicity…it was toxic when 42 grams of this vitamin were taken. Now 42 grams is an absolutely insane amount to take when it comes to any vitamin. I went on Google and searched many different brands of supplements containing this particular vitamin and they had a 1000mg maximum dose (equivalent to 1 gram) with most only containing a few hundred mg. Also the supplements all had the standard 30 pills per bottle. So to get to the point of toxicity this scientist was ranting about you would have to consume a full bottle along with almost a 1/2 of another bottle in a day (42 capsules total). If you have extra fresh herbs that need used up and are chicken safe toss them to them if you want. My chickens have access to my herb garden, but never really touch it. If you want to grow something beneficial to chickens I would recommend forages like alfalfa and clover instead of herbs.

You should read this:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/spinach-and-oxalic-acid.1327080/post-21649467

heavens to murgatroyd, i read it, some story about oxalic acid! my heart was racin, good reading though, all the more wiser for it, cant thank you enuf, i grow those herbs near the runs and when I let the flocks out its the first place they run to pick at the the herbs, they go in the stalls and pick at the alfalfa, T&A, O&A, and some of the Omolene 200 left on the floor by the horses.

 

[JPadronMiami]

I'm a beer snob, so I'd suggest a Belgian Wit. Celis would be excellent choice if you are bringing a domestic. Hoegaarden if you have a liquor store with a small selection. If you have a real liquor store, I could make some other recommends, depending on your budget, among Trappist Singles.

Re: Oxalates, brief exchange I participated in a few days ago.

Another from a few months back.


I am NOT a fan of people making up their own chicken feeds or substantially altering their chicken diet with large quantities of any given ingredient. Too many who do so, or plan to do so, know nothing about chicken nutritional needs - because a few minutes research would reveal why their plan is anticipated to be net negative for nutrition, economics, or both.

That said, I have a biodiverse polyculture (my acres of weeds) for my birds to forage, and plenty of herbs, fruits, and veg I grow myself that my birds can nibble on if desired - they mostly ignore. Basil, Oregano, Thyme, Mint, Methi (fenugreek), Coriander/Cilantro, Scallion, numerous citrus, peaches, apples, several varieties of grape, bananas, etc.

Again, mostly ignore - though they sometimes eat part of a leaf while consuming a bug on the plant, and they do frequently dustbathe in one of my oregano patches - but not the others - its the soil there they are interested in, not the plant.

beer man here, you've peeked my curiosity on BELGIAN beer, not a connoisseur otherwise..... pickin this up from Total Wine and more this weekend to try it out. looks like it includes an assortment, ought to be interesting, What say you?

 

[JPadronMiami]

incidentally, i feed my hens Kalmbach Complete Henhouse Henhouse Reserve, otherwise the herbs, veggies and fruit are given as treats, occassionally

 

[U_Stormcrow]

beer man here, you've peeked my curiosity on BELGIAN beer, not a connoisseur otherwise..... pickin this up from Total Wine and more this weekend to try it out. looks like it includes an assortment, ought to be interesting, What say you?

I'd say I've had a handful of St. Bernardus' offerings. Good to very good examples of the style. Prefer Grimmbergen, but haven't seen a bottle in the States since shortly after InBev bought A/B.

I've had the Wit (would go well with the chicken pictured above) and their Pater (likewise). Their Prior is the Dubbel style, its dark for pairing with chicken. Might go w/ duck, seasoned correctly, but better with beef. Its one of the better Dubbels. Their Tripel is good, but not exceptional. And when I had their Xmas, I had had enough beers already that I don't have clear recollection. Sipped on it for a while.

...and like all good Ales, these are best served about 58 degrees - cellar temp.

Oh, their Quad is NOT a particularly notable exaple of the style, would rather have a good Imperial Stout. but NOT with chicken.

Wow, I **DO** sound like a snob!!!! hahahaha

Please, enjoy one for me! If you have two, please don't drive.

 

[JPadronMiami]

I'd say I've had a handful of St. Bernardus' offerings. Good to very good examples of the style. Prefer Grimmbergen, but haven't seen a bottle in the States since shortly after InBev bought A/B.

I've had the Wit (would go well with the chicken pictured above) and their Pater (likewise). Their Prior is the Dubbel style, its dark for pairing with chicken. Might go w/ duck, seasoned correctly, but better with beef. Its one of the better Dubbels. Their Tripel is good, but not exceptional. And when I had their Xmas, I had had enough beers already that I don't have clear recollection. Sipped on it for a while.

...and like all good Ales, these are best served about 58 degrees - cellar temp.

Oh, their Quad is NOT a particularly notable exaple of the style, would rather have a good Imperial Stout. but NOT with chicken.

Wow, I **DO** sound like a snob!!!! hahahaha

Please, enjoy one for me! If you have two, please don't drive.

your just a wealth of information, I remember you've helped me extensively with questions/concerns I've had in the past about my chicken flock, truly appreciate you for this, and now the beer! Despite the high prices that some bottles can fetch, it's anything but snobbish. lol, enjoy your evening friend

 

[U_Stormcrow]

your just a wealth of information, I remember you've helped me extensively with questions/concerns I've had in the past about my chicken flock, truly appreciate you for this, and now the beer! Despite the high prices that some bottles can fetch, it's anything but snobbish. lol, enjoy your evening friend

You are too kind.

I've been around a few years. Have a shallow knowledgebase on a couple things. Try not to comment on things i know near nothing about (like wine! but I'm learning)

Have a great weekend!

 

[JPadronMiami]

You are too kind.

I've been around a few years. Have a shallow knowledgebase on a couple things. Try not to comment on things i know near nothing about (like wine! but I'm learning)

Have a great weekend!

and you are too modest, however, your comment does resonate some what with me as well.