COMPLETELY QUACKERS!: June 2011

My Poultry Keepers Tip of the Month

April - Try adding Apple Cider Vinegar to your chicken's water for 1 week per month or 2 days per week. It's a great all round tonic.
May - As the weather gets warmer so the dreaded red mite starts to appear again. Make sure you regularly treat your henhouse/birds to keep these pests at bay.
June - if you feed kitchen & garden scraps to your chooks it is important that they are not contaminated with animal products, eg. milk, eggs, cheese, meat scraps.
July - don't forget to make sure your birds have plenty of fresh water & shade in the heat of Summer.
September - maybe now is the time to worm your chickens with Flubenvet before the Winter months.
October - If you supplement your laying hen's diet with grain or corn, only feed it in the late afternoon to make sure they are eating enough layer's pellets or mash for their nutritional needs.
November - hens can get coughs & colds just like we can, but a good way to help prevent this is to add either garlic granules or a fresh clove of garlic to your bird's water.
December - to help poultry generate extra body heat to keep them warm on cold nights give them a carbohydrate feed such as corn/cracked maize before bedtime.
January - in freezing weather coat your chicken's ear tips, comb & wattles with Vaseline to prevent frostbite.
February - if your chickens show signs of illness Colloidal or Highly Stable Silver is a very good, natural antiseptic & antibacterial remedy. I got mine from www.happychicks.co.uk.
March - don't forget to swap back from mixed corn to plain wheat as a treat for your chickens as the weather gets warmer. They don't need the extra calories in the corn now & over weight chickens can have health problems just as we can. Now also would be a good time to give your chickens their Spring worming with Flubenvet.