Chickens and ducks need water available all day especially when temps reach high. You probably just use plain water from a hose or spigot, right? That's what I use. But ever thought of adding any thing to their water? There is many things you can add, including apple cider vinegar, garlic, molasses, fruits, veggies, and variety of fresh herbs that all have health benefits that with help your chickens grow and live healthy lives!
Garlic
scientific name: Allium sativum
You probably have garlic in your kitchen, but did you know its used for more than scaring away vampires? Garlic is a powerful healing herb and chases away parasites and worms out of the body. Interestingly, garlic is in the same family as the onion, which contains high levels of thiosulphate, a toxin deadly to chickens. Garlic, though, only has about 1/5th of the toxin in onions. And trust me, I have been giving my hens(chicks and ducks) garlic and I have had no problems with giving it to the a couple times a week.
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| I sprinkle garlic powder in my flock's food as well |
Some people say that a hen who eats garlic will lay and egg tainted with it, but I have not tasted garlic in any of my eggs. Garlic contains allicin that fights against fungal and bacterial infections. If you have a hen with an infection in the lungs or breathing problems, feed her garlic. Garlic has many fighting compounds against viruses and bacteria. Garlic has all these wonderful health benefits to your chickens and ducks so why waste it!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Most people have this in their house, whether they use it in salads as dressing or drizzling it on foods, but give it to your chickens? Yep!! Interestingly adding a teaspoon of acv, maybe 3 times a week, boosts your chickens immune system! Acv has so many ways it helps chickens and ducks!! Adding acv to your chicken's and duck's water balances pH levels making it so bacteria cannot live in the water.
Apple cider vinegar also encourages chickens or ducks to drink more water. Think about it, would you rather drink plain tap water or some smoothie or soda?? More than likely you probably would choose the drink that had more taste! Same thing for chickens and ducks!! It also helps sick or injured flock members drink water when they won't. Plain water may harbor bacteria, dangerous to your flock but with a tablespoon of acv in each gallon of water no bacteria could stay as the pH levels in the water make it inhospitable. I recommend giving your flock water with apple cider vinegar 2-3times weekly and remember, 1 tablespoon per gallon! You can also drizzle it on your flocks treats!
Herbs
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I can list here! Herbs have been used as far back as the Native Americans who used them for medicine and food. Herbs are amazing!! They boost the immune system in so many ways like helping prepare the body to fight of disease and unwanted viruses and bacteria. Baby ducklings and chicks should be given herbs right from the start, as it helps them grow strong, healthy immune systems and bodies. Different herbs repel flies, ticks, spiders, and mites. Sometimes I crush herbs up into little pieces and throw them in the water dishes and sometimes I whip them up herbal tea, a quick and easy way to give herbs to your flock! Here is the easy recipe!
Making Herbal Tea
Things you will need:
-tea kettle or pot
-any culinary herb, but they are very fond of sage, thyme, spearmint, and oregano
-a stove of course!
Instructions
Making herbal tea is pretty easy. First fill up tea kettle or pot with water, as much as you want, and throw a couple handfuls of herbs into it. Then bring the kettle to a rolling boil. After it has boiled for about 1-2 minutes turn the stove down to low or turn it off completely. Let it steep as long as you want, the longer it steeps the more flavor it sucks up from the herbs. I usually let mine steep for 10-15 minutes. You may notice the water taking on a different coloring. This is normal. All the boiling s making the herbs release their oils. After steeping you can either let it cool to room temp or stick it in the fridge. In the winter I usually let it cool to room temp, but in the summer I put it in the fridge. Then all you need to do is serve it to your chickens or ducks whenever!
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Molasses
Molasses is good to add to your chicken's or duck's water also. If given too much, though, your flock may start having diarrhea. This is why I treat the poisoning botulism, a poisoning, with molasses because it flushes out the body. Blackstrap molasses is high in iron magnesium, potassium, and calcium vital to a chicken and ducks life. It also helps build strong muscles. I recommend having blackstrap molasses on hand or in a first aid kit for your chickens, as it has many benefits.
Fruits and Veggies
Fruits and veggies are a good to add to your flocks water. Fruit like apples, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, watermelon, and bananas are some of poultry's favorite! Vegetables like carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and sweet potatoes are safe for poultry and nutritious!! You can mush the fruits in their water or just throw them in! Either way chickens love them!! You can even grow fruits or veggies in the run for your chickens to pick off whenever!
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