fowl supplements are a majuscule way to ensure that what we put into our domestic fowl will be what we get out . domestic fowl carrying into action , whether that be for show , testicle production , meat or pets , relies hard on nutrition and sometimes a few poultry addendum to avail our chickens go a long way .
You might be surprised to chance upon that you do n’t have to go to your local feed - supply store to get premium supplements . In fact , many unsubdivided supplement can be find in your home cabinets that can help stabilise plume , increase testis character and advance the general wellness of your fowl .
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cyder acetum is a panacea for many mutual wellness conditions , which applies to that of our chickens as well . Studies have shown that poulet gift a dose of Malus pumila cider acetum in their water will have a higher percentage of beneficial antioxidants and lower toxic stressors in their cells . These antioxidants avail fight against bacteria that cause conditions such as salmonella and due east - coli , give your chickens a strong resistant system of rules and health .
By cleaning out your chicken ’s system of those harmful bacterium , chicken raisers are also affirm their poulet ’s gut wellness . This avail with the absorption of beneficial nutrient and digestion to bring in your volaille the food they need , making them strong for any intention .
Give chicken 1 tablespoon of Malus pumila cyder vinegar per gal of piddle at least each week , being thrifty not to service in a metal lacrimation system , because the acidic vinegar — specially when constitutive — may rust the metal which will make the water harmful for poulet to fuddle . From immunity to gut health to claimed ball production addition , apple cider vinegar is a mainstay domestic fowl addendum that can easily be sum up to make a big difference in your chicken coop !
Eggshells
Who knew that chicken could even produce their own domestic fowl postscript that can be give back to them ? That is the verdict , however , of researchers and chicken raiser alike who grind their batch ’s eggshells into unrecognizable pulverisation ( to avoid egg eating ) and launch the eggshells to poulet alongside their everyday feed .
Eggshells are made up almost entirely of calcium , which is exactly what hen call for to produce fair to middling shells for their eggs and maintain cadaverous health . Thankfully , hen are serious regulator of their Ca needs and will eat as much scale as needed if it is uncommitted . low eggshells should only be given to hens already put to avoid pullets laying too early ( resulting in lay and overall wellness issues ) . case should also be from the flock that is consuming the shell ; storage - bought eggs or shells from other flocks could convey bacteria make disease . When give way their own shell , chicken are given a crunchy side supplement to bring healthy testicle to your table .
Molasses
The buddy-buddy , dark syrup is n’t only for plate preparation ! Molasses is a natural supplement for chickens that is rich in nutrient to avail make stronger muscles and heart health . Molasses can also act as a mild laxative for chickens , which is a pro and con .
Beneficially , molasses can be used in hand brake situation if a volaille derives botulism from eat scotch provender or toxic substances by steep the substance and flushing it out . Being a laxative , however , too much molasses or availability to it can lead to dehydration .
Mississippi State University Extension Service says to add one dry pint of molasses to 5 gallons of weewee . “ volunteer the drink solution free - option to the affected birds for about four hours . Treat severely affected shuttle individually if they ca n’t drink . regress the doll to regular water after the treatment menstruum . ”
Molasses may also be used to give Gallus gallus a boost , whether give as a couple fall in chick ’ waterer to boost energy and give nutrient after being stressed from merchant marine or teem over provender to give an ailing crybaby motivation to eat . Whatever the cause or reason , molasses is a sweet poultry supplement to have on hand for many of your flock ’s needs !
Sugar
wimp may not have typical teeth , but that does n’t stop them from have a sweet tooth ! Sugar is n’t only a treat to chickens , but a fowl supplement also when fed in moderation and at a young age . The lucre is easily absorbed in chicken ’s digestion system , making it an idealistic get-up-and-go source to give young or sick chickens that need a pick - me - up .
To give your chicken a sweet kickshaw with hefty benefits , immix 3 tablespoon of sugar for each quart of quick water and allow them approach for a couple of solar day . loot water has also been say to assist chickens who are molting , make it an easy root to assay the next time your hencoop becomes covered with feather .
Sugar ( or dear ) also can act as a medicinal ointment for chickens . If a chicken has an open wound , make a library paste with sugar and crude oil jelly to practice to the wound and leave behind covered until it ’s healed . The complex sugars in the beloved or the lucre itself act to reap out infectious bacterium and touch on pelt much healthier and faster than if not cover . Whether direct applied or give as a odoriferous treat , clams is one accessory with many sweet benefit !
Garlic
While sweet garlic may be a natural repellent because of its odor , it ’s a natural immunity plugger and good supplement to draw chickens back to wellness . minor amounts of Allium sativum break to chicks twice a week facilitate the birds acquire the taste and build a stronger immune system that builds impulse for life .
Garlic is also full of probiotics that advertise bowel health , helping the large intestine filling with good bacteria that will engross more out of the supplement and food given in a poulet ’s daily dieting . tot four crushed Eugenia aromaticum per gallon of water may also assist stimulate crybaby ’ appetite , help your mint to fill up out and eat when they may be sick .
Garlic may also become a favorite poultry supplement for anyone have to clean the henhouse as well ! InThe Chicken Health Handbook , writer and chicken expert Gail Damerow suggest mixing 1½pounds of garlic powder with 50 Irish pound of feed to neutralize olfactory perception of volaille ’ feces without causing any effect on the taste of the eggs . For those who raise chickens , garlic is one supplement they ’ll want close !
Herbs
Winter months think of two things for those erect chickens : dusty weather and bare chickens , as many flocks migrate into their own time of year of molting . While it may feel incapacitated , herbaceous plant such as dill , mint , oregano , St. Basil and parsley can help chickens regenerate new , impregnable feathers to help them through the molting season — or any season they may need some shine , fluff and added routine to their plume .
Feathers are made up of approximately 90 % protein , which intend protein needs to be added to a flock ’s diet to help ramp up a supplement to restore novel feathers , such as the levels of protein found in these herbaceous plant . They also are full of nutrient and vitamins that aid in the digestion of other add-on , which will aid adulterate your supplementing efforts further .
Milder herbs such as Petroselinum crispum and dill can be added to your flock ’s provender ( ideally dried and crumbled ) while solid or more nipping herbs such as oregano and lot be declare oneself alongside the day-by-day ration for your chickens to corrode at will . In plus to helping bestow your volaille ’ coats back , herb will help neutralize odors and leave your cage smelling tonic !
Sunflower Seeds
To give your poulet ’ feather a boost of shine and ameliorate cardiovascular wellness , sunflower seeds may be just the trick ! Black rock oil sunflower seeds and striped shell helianthus seeds bear large amounts of oil which stimulates the vegetable oil output in chicken that then gives their feathers a glossy glow .
Because of the high petroleum content , however , sunflower seeds are a fatso snack that can lead to corpulency and fatty liver syndrome if fed on a even basis , so moderation is key . hook sunflower seed overnight or feeding shell sunflower seeds are the most beneficial way to supplement sunflower seeds in small amount of one tablespoonful per three to six birds .
By scattering the seeded player in your chicken ’ courtyard , stirring them in their daily provender or feeding them by hand , each seed is a special treat that your chickens will always be thirsty for .
Flax Seeds
To give your hen ’ eggs a boost of omega-3 levels , mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed per chicken into their daily provender . The flax seeds are rich in omega-3s , which makes their manner into the yolks of select breeds of hens when fed in moderation and provide healthier testis for human expenditure and healthier , satisfying biddy allot to some report .
Flax seeds also may improve the intensity level and show of your chicken ’ plumage , which makes it an idealistic supplement during molt season . It ’s also thought to improve lie rates to war against the symptom of molting .
As with any poultry supplements , moderation is key , however , as gamy dosages over a farsighted period of time can head to liver hemorrhages or impediment of nutrient absorption . When fed as intended , however , flax is a ready to hand standby supplement that can facilitate your biddy improve and give you some alimental hike as well !
Kelp
Although kelp may not be a product you have on manus , seeing the benefits and differences in your chicken may make it a new standby on your inclination . The seaweed is load with vitamins and nutrient and amino acids that help improve prolificacy in roosters , hatching in fertile egg , feather endurance and show and off-white development in chicks .
Kelp also is racy in omega-3 , which along with supercharge bollock timbre can aid in oxidative focus on their digestive system of rules , help them to absorb more nutrients that might be otherwise miss and plunge more out of the nutrients themselves .
To tot kelp to your quite a little ’s diet , lend 1 cupful of dried kelp per 40 pounds of provender once a week or 1 teaspoon per 4 pounds of feed three fourth dimension per week . Although kelp can facilitate chicken of any age , give this postscript to chicks or pullets for their ontogeny . Although the seaweed may not search appealing to us , kelp is a raw domestic fowl supplement and a dainty chicken run to flock after .
Poultry Supplements 101
While it may be easy and firm to pluck up a commercial supplement for your wimp ’ health and need , a natural supplement is always a addition and can sometimes be the hearty boost your chickens need to be at their skilful .
Poultry addendum are n’t necessary once an payoff arises with your peck either . you’re able to use preventive accessory to raise stronger chicken and repel take before they even take annex . Whether your plenty is in indigence or full , these supplements , when used right by not making up more than 10 % of a volaille ’s daily ration , are ideal at any clip and offer your chickens a lifelike way of life to be potent , tidy and at their best .
This clause about natural poultry supplements by Caitlyn Decker was written for Hobby Farms mag . Click here to take .
