Feeding to repel midges? Brewers yeast affecting hormones?

[Bounty]

Hi all,

Does anyone know much about feeding to repel midges/flies?

In previous summers my lot have worn fly sheets in the day, and been brought in at dawn/dusk to avoid the worst of the midges.
However, now I have no fly sheets and nowhere to bring them in to

so am looking at feeding them to make them taste nasty instead.

I was going to put them on Brewers Yeast, but a couple of people have said to me that it can adversely affect the mares hormone balance and cause all havoc to break lose, so I have held of on that one!

Anyone know if this is true?

What are the other options available to me? Thanks!

 

[f_s_]

Have fed brewer's yeast to all my mares through the summer and hasn't made a blind bit of difference.

BTW they can be stroppy and objectionable!!! but certainly no different on brewer's yeast!!!

 

[jo2601]

Marmite

 

[HelsB]

Global Herbs Skratch Plus - AMAZING stuff

 

[f_s_]

Marmite is great as well, same thing really, but it works out more expensive!

Just as an aside, I wonder if someone was suggesting the vitamin B6 would interfere with hormones? I think that it's supposed to help though, not hinder! Could be wrong!

 

[ldlp111]

ok so brewers yeast helps with flies and with their guts?

 

[f_s_]

Yes, it helps with flies, as I think the vitamin makes them taste/smell bad (to flies that is!!!

)

It also helps as a balancer as the yeast helps the good gut flora.

 

[flyingfeet]

If you are feeding a lot - Henry coles can get you 25kg sack rather than paying a fortune

I've only fed boys, apparently its supposed to be a calmer, but mine are so laid back anyway so I don't notice a difference. Definitely means the midges leave him alone more.

RE: the marmite comment, that's bonkers as a) its more expensive, b) you cannot give a consistent dose, and c) the reason you feed marmite is for the B vits which come from the yeast.... so use brewers yeast!

 

[ldlp111]

hmm well have to def look into this i guess you can get it from health stores? my mare gets really annoyed with flies in the ear cant say i blame her

 

[Bounty]

QR
Thank you all

I looked at the Global Herbs stuff, but with 4 of them on it it was going to cost me a FORTUNE.

Will look more into the effects of the B vits on hormones then, and thanks for the Coles tip CSJ

 

[Theresa_F]

I feed BY to both mares and geldings and have not noticed anything. BY is said to be a calmer - though mine are laid back types, it is also very good for the gut and keeping midges at bay.

I buy 25k sacks from Charnwood Milling along with 25k sacks of linseed - far far cheaper than anywhere else and I do get through a fair bit having big hairy horses.

I have noticed Feedmark are now doing both these products and so do Simple Systems, but as said, if you have several horses, then the 25k sacks are the best way to go.

 

[ldlp111]

how much would you feed a tbx 15.1hh mare middle one in siggy?

 

[f_s_]

Brewers Yeast I'd say a heaped teaspoon a day in some feed.

That's what I feed, but others may say more or less.

 

[Theresa_F]

I feed a tablepoon twice a day - I have a 500 k cob and a 700 kilo clydesdale. I find this does help with the midges as well as keep them with healthy guts. From mid October to mid March they get half the amount.