Vodka for chickens?!

[Smileybans]

So... this article is straight up suggesting I use vodka and herbs as a remedy for respirator illness in chickens. I believe herbs can work but to this extent? Has anyone ever tried this? It’s making me curious but I don’t want to harm my chickens either. I know you dilute the vodka but it just sounds weird to me. Would it also work as a preventative like the article suggests?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

@aart

 

[Tre3hugger]

Tinctures are classically made with high proof alcohol. Typically you are only ingesting like a dropper full (for humans) so the alcohol is not a big deal. If you are uncomfortable using it on your chickens, use the vegetable glycerin. It is basically a plant sugar.

I never gave my chickens tinctures, but I did run an herbal business where I formulated and made MANY tinctures using both alcohol and glycerin for human consumption. All the herbs on that list have well known benefits.

FYI: Alcohol is a more complete solvent. It more fully breaks down a wider variety of plant components. Also has longer shelf life. Glycerin's winning attribute is it is totally benign. It is thick and kind of hard to work with at room temp. It often requires double boiling low and slow heating with your herbs in it for a few hours to get a good extraction. I have never given my chickens tincture, or herbs for that matter. But I have taken lots myself! Just thought I would share some knowledge on tinctures in general. Don't be thrown off by the vodka if you want to do it. Alcohol is a tried and true solvent for extracting medicine from plants. But if your husbandry is all squared away, your chickens' respiratory systems should take care of themselves! No need for a preventative. If they are alreadhy sick, skip the herbs and get them veterinary medicine.

Tinctures are dope though. Make that one and use it yourself. We could all use a little respiratory strength these days.

Hope this helped a little.

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

I heard something about that on a different site.
Found it: https://permies.com/t/68613/kitchen/Echinacea-venomous-snake-bites

 

[theoldchick]

I'd go with the glycerin.

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

Btw, the other site is not 'family friendly' so keep that in mind

 

[EggSighted4Life]

FYI: Alcohol is a more complete solvent. It more fully breaks down a wider variety of plant components. Also has longer shelf life.

That was some great information actually!

Living here in Northern California as I do.. It's hard not to be familiar with some of the extraction processes that take place using cannabis.. we have to cross the state line to buy 151 in Oregon since California can't handle their liquor..

But uhm ya.. that sort of alcohol is for internal use.. similar to how vanilla extract is made.. TEEN agers have been known to try and get drunk off the stuff, know one questions them when they buy it.

ETA: The BEST prevention for respiratory illness is good biosecurity.. NEVER bring in grown birds from another pasture!

 

[aart]

@aart

MO......Save the herbs and spices for cooking chickens.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

My Mom (God rest her soul) used to keep a bottle of vodka with her own blend of herbs (I don't know what they were). Every morning she and my step-father would have a shot of this concoction. She said she felt great every day.
She died at age 85, my step-father is still around and doing quite well.

 

[ackie]

I'm imagining drunks chickens like those videos of animals getting into fermented fruit.

Even though I know it's not enough to do anything.