Is my pekin bantam male or female?

[genericjanedoe]

I spotted this for sale on ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1kg-PURE-GARLIC-GRANULES-RED-MITE-POULTRY-FEEDER_W0QQitemZ290399253672QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Poultry?hash=item439d24f4a8

 

The text says that adding garlic to a hens diet has many dietry and health benefits. Also that adding garlic to a hens diet is an "age old way of keeping red mite at bay". Apparently once the hen has garlic in her system, the smell of garlic emits through the skin which red mite and other biting insects don't like. You need to add it to soft or mashed up food once a week

 

I don't know if this is an old wives tale, but in my experience you would have to injest a bucket load of garlic over a long period of time to get that kind of reaction!!

 

Still, I thought I'd ask - anyone recommend this as an effective red mite detterent?

[C&T]

My MIL swears that eating a teaspoon of marmite a day wards off mosquito's...

 

I guess it's the same sort of theory... Not sure I would trust it though!

[Cranfield Kate]

garlic and mossies works for me! so i don't see why it wouldn't work for chickens and red mites although i guess it would trun the eggs garlicky...

[genericjanedoe]

garlic and mossies works for me! so i don't see why it wouldn't work for chickens and red mites although i guess it would trun the eggs garlicky...

 

Garlicky eggs

 

I could make some very interesting cakes from those!

[Cinnamon]

I have never heard of garlic & garlic supplements warding off mites,but I have added a teaspoon of garlic powde (from horsey shops) to their feed for years as it totally neutralises the smell of chicken poo.

 

Its like magic

 

No garlicky eggs either,unless you really overdo it.

[genericjanedoe]

I'm relieved to hear about the eggs not smelling!

 

But I really like the idea of neutralizing the smell of poo - perhaps I'll give it a go then.

[Olly]

ditto, I've used garlic powder since Day 1 - no taint of it in the eggs, and it takes away that acidic poo smell making the whole thing much more pleasant.

 

I've never had red mite, either, but I can't say that the two are linked!

[ISCA]

I have heard that garlic in the hens water can treat worms, but not heard about it preventing red mites.

 

But I do like the theoryit reduces poo smells.

[Luvachicken]

I bought garlic granules from a horsey shop last summer but found the smell of the poo was even worse than it was before - where did I go wrong ?

[legend21]

I use garlic powder from horsey shop always have it does stop the poo smelling put a few spoonfuls in with all the other stuff I add to their weekly feed and hey presto

 

Jackie

[Luvachicken]

perhaps I'll give it another try then.

[C&T]

With their old food, I noticed the Garlic Powder made a big difference to the smell of their poo.

 

But since I switched brand of food (the old one was dropping in quality, and a new shop opened just down the road selling a slightly more expensive but better food) the smell has reduced dramatically, and I don't need to bother with the garlic so much.

 

Don't add too much Garlic though - otherwise the chooks themselves begin to smell....

[The Dogmother]

There's a new garlic and mint concoction out - I have been using that and find it to be useful with regards to poo smells.

 

 

The dog likes it, but it doesn't stop her poo from smelling

[legend21]

wonder how the garlic and mint would be with the cats mine are little stinkers

[The Dogmother]

I haven't tried it on the cats yet, but kitties are notoriously fussy eaters, so they may not take it.

[genericjanedoe]

Hi Claret

 

Thanks for the advice about the mint and garlic supplement. I can't seem to find it in any local pet store, but I note that Flyte So Fancy are advertising it on their online store. They also say its useful for deodorising droppings so I may give it a go.

 

For the benefit of others, it can be found here:http://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/Life_Guard_Natural_Supplements.html

[beulah59]

I bought garlic granules from a horsey shop last summer but found the smell of the poo was even worse than it was before - where did I go wrong ?

Possibly used a bit too much? They really don't need much at all ... even a clove of garlic in their drinker will do.