Scientists have now announced that migrating birds DO NOT spread avian flu, but the birds you buy in the supermarket DO spread the food poisoning known as salmonella, so wash your hands (and all surfaces) after handling them. Like beef cattle, chickens are given antibiotics in their feed, which can promote antibiotic-resistant superbugs in human beings. But there IS a way in which we can keep chickens healthy and protect ourselves at the same time: give them beer.
No, you don’t give them beer to drink instead of water, but researchers have discovered that adding hops, a major ingredient in beer, to poultry feed improves chickens’ growth rate. If they grow faster, they can be slaughtered sooner, meaning they won?t have time to develop the kinds of problems that call for antibiotics.
Hops (Humulus lupulus) have long been used as a medicine for humans, so maybe we should be the ones drinking the beer?and it goes well with a chicken dinner (but be sure to get the RIGHT kind of chicken!)
Art credit: freeimages.co.uk
Our readers and Dreamland listeners often write to us and say, “I come to your web site several times a day?and I’m always afraid that one day you won?t be there.” There’s only one way to make sure that DOESN’T happen: subscribe today. At less than $4 a month, there’s no way you can’t afford to support us, and with the 10% discount subscribers get on our store, your subscription will pay for itself in no time!
NOTE: This news story, previously published on our old site, will have any links removed.
Subscribers, to watch the subscriber version of the video, first log in then click on Dreamland Subscriber-Only Video Podcast link.