[CluckyChicken]

Rigt now I am making my chickens some porridge, and was wondering if they could have any cod liver oil to keep them warmer.  We have really thick snow- about 7 inches!

Thanks x

[joyfull]

I wouldn't, too much oil can be bad.

[orchardlady]

I have roughly 40 hens and give them cod liver oil in their afternoon mixed corn. So in roughly 3.5 kg I put about 4 tablespoons in and mix well. This is given once a week or less if I forget! They all (apart from those moulting) have lovely glossy feathers and bright eyes and combs.

[helens-hens]

Also, if I have this right, it is supposed to help with the absorption of calcium (v.important for egg production). This is beneficial this time of the year as because of the lack of sunlight & shorter days they don't get the same levels of vitamin D which is essential for calcium absorption.

[ehs284]

Yes, the vitamin D is essential. Our experience is that the chooks will only accept a small amount anyway; too much and they refuse to eat the food, so Orchard Lady's mix seems about right.

[8doubles]

I tried pierced cod liver oil capsules to see if the hens would eat them , the answer was no they would not!
They get (and enjoy) the occasional raw sprat.

[3Bluebelles]

I have been making mine porridge in the morning for the last week now, since the really cold weather, and put a few drops of cod liver oil in it. The chooks seem to love it, and I've heard that it's good for absorption of calcium for egg production. Mine have all gone through a moult recently and are not back to laying yet, so I thought it might be good for them.

[pheobe1]

Hi,cod liver oil is great, i give it to my two hens every morning in warm porrige. It perks them up as they are fed up with the snow! Soaked meal worms get them exited and suppliments their protine intake as they are missing all the goodies they normally scoff in the garden!

[tigerparisviolet]

i have five chickens if i give them cod liver oil  how much  should i give and how often

[CluckyChicken]

great, thanks for your help guys 

[CluckyChicken]

  i just asked that.  if you give them a little bit every so often, mix it in with their porridge or mash, and I think just a few drops or they might not eat it x

[Aunt Sally]

Topics merged

[CluckyChicken]

thanks Aunty

[alisonwo]

I sprinkle some cod liver oil over our girls pellets and mix it well just a couple of times a week though, and sometimes mix it into their porridge, plus garlic flakes and seaweed.  I give it the dogs too.  We were advised to give garlic to the dogs to help stop them getting fleas, perhaps it works this way on chickens.

[tigerparisviolet]

great, thanks for your help guys