Wanted to share with you fellow garlic users

[JoeP]

Hi Guys/Gals, I just posted this on another garlic question, but I
thought that I would share it with all of you and make it a topic.
I have used garlic for years and it works great. But chopping up
garlic all the time can be a drag, and my fingers smell like it for
two days. I started making garlic ice cubes. I purchase the small
jars of diced up garlic and put a small spoon full in each ice cube
mold of the ice cube tray (i couldnt figure out how else to word that) add water and make up a bag of garlic ice cubes. On the
days you want to use garlic just drop a few cubes in the waterer.
I have found it very quick and easy. Just a thought I wanted to
share.

 

[jenjscott]

OK, now for those of us who aren't in the know, when would you give your chickens garlic water, and why don't you just use the bottled chopped garlic in the first place?

Not being smart...I really want to know. I keep that bottled chopped garlic handy all the time.

 

[JoeP]

Woops! I should have mentioned that I blend it before putting it
into the trays. I find that the birds respond to it better. By blending,
it must get more of the juice out of the garlic. I use garlic once a week all year. It is good for the birds stomach, and I believe it
helps to get rid of bad bacteria. I notice if my birds droppings are
a little runny, and they look a little down (after multiple days of
rain) garlic bounces them right back, and they look healthier and
more alert. I make a big bag of cubes because I find it easier and
its right there and ready. If I dont blend it and just leave it as the
small chopped up pieces I find that they just collect in the waterer
and I dont know if the birds are actually getting a good dose.
When I blend it into a puree, 90% of the garlic passes through
the hole in my waterer and I dont find much residue left, so it
makes me believe that they are taking in most of the garlic.
It works for me, just a thought to share.

 

[Biddieacres]

Thats a neat idea.

I wonder if it changes the taste of the eggs. Have you noticed? Just curious.

Does the smell stay in your waterer?

Garlic is so good for humans so I guess it is good for them too!

Thanks for sharing!

 

[kuntrychick]

Can garlic be given at the same time as ACV or since it's just once a week, leave the ACV out of the garlic dose?

Oh, and how much garlic or how many "garlic ice cubes" per gallon of water?

 

[JoeP]

I havent noticed a different taste in the eggs, and people that
get eggs off me havent mentioned it either. I always scrub my
waterer good, I believe that most sicknesses start at the waterer.
So usually I do not smell garlic after, although I do get a faint
odor of garlic from my plastic waterer but not my galvinized.
Even then it only last a day or so.

I have used ACV and garlic at the same time, but now I do not.
I noticed that when I mix the two together the birds do drink it
but not alot. When I seperate the two I notice that the water
intake is much greater that way, and I feel that they got a good
dose of both. I usually put one cube to a gallon or two cubes to
a waterer. It depends on how potent you make it. The birds cant
overdose from garlic, so feel free to give them a good dose.
You will notice a difference in there actions, and there droppings.
Hope this helps.

 

[fordmommy]

Interesting! Thanks!

 

[ScoobyRoo]

JoeP, would you consider garlic a natural de-wormer? I think I'm going to do it. My only downfall is I have two kiddie pools for the ducks and they may drink out of that instead.

 

[Biddieacres]

I think that is great that you care so much about your chickens and it is a great idea!!!

I might try it too!

 

[kuntrychick]

I know that garlic has health benefits for people and I suppose chickens as well, but how exactly have you noticed that the garlic helps chickens? What are the benefits of it?

Also, can you use garlic powder like mixed in their food or make them a mash with their food using it?