[jo40]

Hello

Could anyone advise me on how much poultry spice to add per weight of food.
The tub suggests 1 teaspoon per 10 hens a day.
My hens seem to eat varying amounts, Im not sure how to work it out.
For the young ones that are in a run I just add a pinch to a few crumbs each morning but how do I measure it for the free rangers? There are 5 and I use the green plastic feeder. Im mixing growers and layers at the moment trying to meet all there varying age needs.

Thanks Jo     

[happychickens]

Hi - I have given up trying to work it out so as mine love pasta spirals when I cook them I always leave a few over with a bit of olive oil and sprinkle some on that or the same with sweetcorn, buy a cheap tin and give them it with it on, maybe a quarter of a teaspoon to a quarter of a can- you can always tell if you have been heavy handed because they turn their noses up slightly as it does have a strong smell and I presume taste   Failing all of that I put about half a teaspoon into their dry feed, swirl it around and when they next need feeding swirl whats left back in.  I tend to given them it a few times a week when they are in moult or once every few weeks otherwise

[joyfull]

Is it just me or does anyone else love the smell of poultry spice? 

[jo40]

Oh yes
and the red mite powder  

[LittleRedHen]

I guess we could treat Poultry Spice like we would any other spice we add to food.  I love the idea of holding back on the spiral pasta and mixing it with olive oil, etc.  I'll have to try that!  I'm always looking for new treats for our girls. 

[hillfooter]

It's not critical to measure this.  I teaspoon 5ml per Kg of fed is roughly what they are suggesting.

I like the idea of dusting yourself with red mite powder because you like the smell!  At least this is a good use for the Barrier stuff which is useless against red mite though as it contains a mosquito repellant it should keep the flies off you!  I use up my wife's old perfume spray on my hens.  currently there's one house with White Linen and another with Chanel No5.  I don't know if it's effective against Red Mite though I must say I prefer it to Red Mite spray!  There was a newspaper story that the steel workers who errected the Skye road bridge found that Chanel No5 was the best repellant for the Scotish midges!

Regards

[jo40]

Avons 'skin so soft' works a treat, even on greek mozzies
Maybe I should give this a try on the hens...

[hillfooter]

Don't overdo it then a quick spray at  the back of their necks shouldn't cause a problem and avoid their eyes and ears.

Regards