Hen supplements in winter

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Mobey Clan
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Posts: 29
Joined: 29 Aug 2011, 23:39
Location: Merseyside

Hen supplements in winter

Post by Mobey Clan »

Hi everyone
7 years ago, we found good homes for our 14 ladies, as I had to admit RSM got the better of me and I couldn't cope with the suffering. Two years ago I purchased an eglu coop, with an electric door, built a big run, we're now up to 7 ☺️.
I remembered I gave the 14 a supplement in winter their combs stayed red all through the cold season, after molting.
Could anyone advise me what it was, a white powder I think.

I'm so chuffed to have hens back in the garden as we just love them, my PARD nightscope also likes the rats too 🐀

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Mo
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Location: Cheshire (nr Chester)

Re: Hen supplements in winter

Post by Mo »

Glad you are back. You sound as if you have a good set-up.
Not sure what the powder was though.
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Sunny Clucker enjoyed Folk music and song in mid-Cheshire
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manda
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Re: Hen supplements in winter

Post by manda »

Welcome back to the Lane and to chicken keeping :-D

I'm in NZ so have no idea what's available now in the UK but if you look at any good poultry tonic I don't think you'd go far wrong... and maybe something with corn in it which is high in energy and will give them the energy they need to produce heat during the night.

Oh and Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in their water (20mls per litre) - there have been studies done that show that hens that have ACV grow feathers back quicker than those that don't.

It's a great way to aid their digestion (helps them process proteins more efficiently), helps lower the pH level in the digestive tract so makes it less welcoming to pathogens like E.coli organisms as well as Coccidiosis.

It's a great source of Potassium (which helps them use calcium efficiently) so can be great if you have any hens laying soft shells as it helps them free up the calcium they need for laying down the shell.
If that wasn't enough it also helps prevent the growth of algae in your drinkers so for something that doesn't require much effort and isn't hugely expensive it has great outcomes ...and just so you know I don't work for an ACV company {rofwl}
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Living our version of the Good Life with 1 dog (who feels like we're living with 4!), 1 cats, a few sheep and 11 chooks.
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Trev62
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Re: Hen supplements in winter

Post by Trev62 »

During our winter months we add turmeric and garlic powder to a warm mash as a late afternoon/evening feed before night time lockdown and as @manda says, apple cider vinegar, it works wonders.
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Mobey Clan
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Posts: 29
Joined: 29 Aug 2011, 23:39
Location: Merseyside

Re: Hen supplements in winter

Post by Mobey Clan »

Many thanks to all, ACV was something i used to use, but overlooked 🙏🏼

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