Natural Herbs, Spices & Oils for Chickens
Why Herbs For Your Chickens?
It’s not only humans that benefit from herbs, edible flowers and edible roots. The benefit to chickens is well documented and your birds will benefit from each and every culinary herb just the same as we do.
What is the difference between a herb and a spice?
A herb is the green, leafy part of the plant. Examples are basil, rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley, and oregano. A spice can come from the root, stem, seed, fruit, flower or bark of the tree or plant. Examples are cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, star anise, and turmeric.
What is the difference between herb oil and essential oils?
Herbal Oils Contain a broader spectrum of compounds, including fatty acids, vitamins, and other phytonutrients. The composition is influenced by both the plant material and the carrier oil. Essential Oils Consist of volatile aromatic compounds, often with a strong fragrance. Essential oil is extracted using a distillation process.
Fresh herbs would be preferred (chopped will stop them from being swallowed whole and help prevent an impacted crop) over dried, but very few chicken keepers will keep a herb garden just for the sake of feeding their birds. While chickens may sometimes turn their beak up at a fresh herb, no matter the benefit to them, one of the benefits of dried is that you can mix them into their feed and if you feed them a mash, all the better.
Herbs help to keep your chickens healthy naturally, without the use of antibiotics or medications. But just because something has a label saying "natural" doesn't mean that it's safe and as a chicken is very small, it won't take much to cause a serious health problem. It’s better to err on the side of caution and only use culinary herbs that are safe for both humans and animals. All of the herb’s, flowers and roots on this page will benefit your chickens. However, anything given in excess can be problematic to health so always give or offer in moderation and just bear this in mind at all times...too much of a good thing can become a bad thing.
Interestingly, when you feed your chickens food with strong flavours, such as curry spice, this can alter the taste of their eggs. Another thing on your list of considerations.
Phytogenic feed additives, known as PFAs or botanicals, are substances of plant origin added to animal diets at recommended levels with the aim of improving animal performance AND controlling parasites in chickens. Essential oils, herbs and spices all serve as sources for bioactive ingredients, e.g. phenols and flavonoids.
An article pertaining to Red Mite on Medium.com suggests:
Herbal Extracts and Essential Oils:
Utilization of phytogenic extracts and essential oils with known acaricidal (mite-killing) properties, such as neem oil, eucalyptus oil, garlic extract, and thyme oil. These natural compounds disrupt mite physiology, including their reproductive cycle and ability to feed on birds, without leaving harmful residues.
Feed Additives
Incorporation of phytogenic feed additives containing herbal ingredients like oregano, cinnamon, and turmeric.
These additives not only enhance the birds’ immune response but also possess repellent effects against red mites when consumed by poultry.
Benefits of Phytogenic Solutions:
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Reduced reliance on chemical acaricides, minimizing the risk of residues in poultry products and environmental contamination.
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Preservation of beneficial microorganisms in the poultry environment, maintaining ecological balance.
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Enhanced overall health and welfare of poultry due to the immunomodulatory effects of herbal compounds.
Conclusion:
Implementing a holistic herbal red mite management program offers poultry farmers an effective and sustainable approach to control mite infestations while safeguarding bird health and productivity. By harnessing the power of phytogenic solutions, poultry producers can mitigate the economic losses associated with red mite outbreaks and ensure the welfare of their flock.
Which Herbs Do What?
You don't need to give the same herbs to you chickens day in, day out; a couple of times a week should be enough. Variety is the spice of life and that also applies to chickens so pick herbs with the benefits that you see as important and alternate between them.
Herbs for health
Herbs are rich in vitamin and nutrients. Some of the most beneficial to chickens include:
Alfalfa, Bay Leaf, Basil, Calendula (Marigold), Cayenne Pepper, Chinese Skullcap, Cilantro (Coriander), Ground Cinnamon, Comfrey, Dill, Garlic Powder, Sea Kelp, Marjoram, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Tarragon, Thyme, Turmeric.
Herbs for egg production
Herbs have a threefold benefit for egg production.
Egg yolk colour: Alfalfa, Basil, Kelp,
Laying stimulant: Fennel, Marjoram, Parsley
Egg quality: Ginger Root, Garlic Powder, Fennel
Herbs for moulting hens
While moulting may not require treatment, your hens will appreciate some extra nutrition will increase during this time to help them through the process.
Basil, Cilantro (Coriander), Dill, Fennel, Marjoram - Mint - Oregano - Parsley – Tarragon
Herbs for sick hens
Despite your best efforts, sometimes a chicken falls ill. There are many common chicken diseases that can affect your flock, but fortunately there are simple and effective natural remedies available to prevent and treat some of the more common poultry illnesses. Here are some natural treatments for chicken diseases.
Calendula (Marigold), Cinnamon, Parsley, Dandelion, Oregano, Rose Petals, Rosemary, Sage, Tarragon, Thyme
Herbs for nesting boxes and coop
Herbs can help you to keep your coop free of flies and bugs without having to use harsh chemicals. Choose herbs that smell nice and have calming properties and herbs with parasite repelling properties.
Throw a handful of mixed herbs into each nest box and scatter some around the coop.
Bay Leaf, Calendula (Marigold), Cilantro (Coriander), Dill, Chopped Fresh Fennel Fonds (dried are hard to find), Hibiscus Flowers, Lavender, Lemongrass, Mint, Oregano, Roses Petals, Rosemary & Sage
Herbs for a dust bath
Give your chickens a helping hand to control mites and lice naturally with herbs that offer pest repellent properties.
Natural Insecticides & Parasite Repellent: Garlic Powder, Lavender, Lemongrass, Mint, Oregano, Rosemary
System Enhancers and Healers: Dill, Rosemary Anise, Dill, Fennel, Ginger, and Mint
Stress Relievers: Lavender, Mint, Rosemary
Protect your birds from Avian Influenza or Marek's disease virus
Video coming soon!
Add to drinking water - Useful for the prevention of Avian Influenza or Marek's disease virus. Recommended Dose Here
Dried Herbs
Suggested use: add to feed (make sure it's well chopped)
High in protein, Alfalfa is jam-packed with vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A K E and vitamin C. It's high in choline and minerals like calcium, zinc, and iron. Alfalfa contributes to orange egg yolks
Various Sizes Available
Suggested use: add to feed
High in protein - High in Vitamins, A, C, K - High in choline, - 15 to 30 g/kg of basil added to laying hen's diet has shown to be of benefit for egg production and egg quality. It is also proven to increase the yolk n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels and Contributes to orange egg yolks - Basil is said to be useful for repelling mosquitoes
Various Sizes Available
Suggested use: add to feed (well crushed) and nest box (large fresh leaf or well crushed dry)
Bay leaf can be used in poultry nutrition to increase gastric fluids to stop digestive disorders; it has antifungal, antibacterial potentials. crushed dried leaves are best as it remains firm even after cooking and could become a choke hazard.
Various Sizes Available
Suggested use: add to feed and nesting box (fresh if in season)
Marigold is known to increase the pigmentation of egg yolks in laying hens. Also, when it was supplemented in the diet at half the dosage (10 g/kg), it increased the shell strength of the egg, resulting in a significant increase in the saturated fatty acids but a decrease in total monounsaturated fatty acids.
Various Sizes Available
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Suggested use: add to feed
In a research study conducted on broiler chicks in 2014, the results showed that the addition of cilantro powder or extract to the chick's diet resulted in improved performance and a positive immune system response. It also contributed to a reduction in pathogenic bacteria in the digestive tract, which aids in the improvement of intestinal health and well-being of the bird.
Various Sizes Available
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Suggested use: add to feed
Comfrey being low in fibre but high in protein is the ideal green to feed chickens. The allantoin is potentially health promoting and the high levels of Vitamins A & B12 results in both a rich yellow yolk to the eggs and a yellow tinge to the flesh as with the expensive corn-fed hens.
Various Sizes Available
Suggested use: Add to feed and nesting box (fresh if in season)
Dill is a good source of protein and nutrients containing vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, and vitamin B2 – all important things your birds need. Also, vitamin B1, B3, and B5.
There have been some reports that dill may be beneficial to chicken's respiratory health by feeding it to them or by drying and hanging it upside down on the inside of nest boxes for laying hens. It is reported to act as a natural sedative which aids in the egg laying process.
Various Sizes Available
Hibiscus Flowers - Whole Dried
Suggested use: add to nest boxes, add to feed and even make you chickens a herbal tea drink treat.
The chemical composition of hibiscus forage is similar to alfalfa due to its content of protein, minerals, fibre compound and metabolizable energy. The vibrant flowers provide beneficial nutrients. Hibiscus flowers contain antioxidants like vitamin C, minerals like magnesium and phosphorous, and pollen for protein. Dried hibiscus flowers have an intense and complex perfume, similar to cranberries. Dried hibiscus flowers can also be steeped in hot water and drunk like tea, thought to be high in antioxidants.
Suggested use: add to feed
Kelp contains Vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K, as well as calcium, iron, niacin, and Omega-3s. Enhances feather quality and will lead to nice, deep orange egg yolks
Various Sizes Available
Lavender - Dried
Suggested use: a must to add to dust baths or nesting boxes
Lavender is predominately known for its use in aromatherapy, for its calming, soothing and sedative effects of it's fragrance. Natural stress reliever, can benefit laying and sitting hens.
Suggested use: add to feed (well chopped) or add to nest boxes
Supplementation of lemongrass leaf powder in broiler chicken feed and water has been shown to improve performance (as in egg laying) and meat quality. Lemon grass contains citronella oil, which is a natural mosquito repellent.
Lemongrass and citronella are often mistaken to be from the same plant when they are actually they are from two different plants.
Various Sizes Available
Suggested use: add to feed
Marjoram has been reported as being a laying stimulant, several chicken keeper blogs recommend giving laying hens marjoram as a feed supplement; mixing the dried, crushed herbs in a large bowel to add to the feed.
As an antibacterial, Marjoram may be beneficial against certain harmful bacteria, such as Staphylococcus, E.coli, shigella, proteus, and Pseudomonas.
Various Sizes Available
Suggested use: add dried to Feed, add dried to dust bath and fresh (if in season) or dried to nesting box.
As an insect repellent, mint is used against endoparasites in poultry in British Columbia. The oil has larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquegaasiatus mosquitoes.
The addition of dry or fresh peppermint leaves to the diet of laying hens has been proven to significantly increase egg weight, egg production, egg mass, and feed intake.
Mint has a wonderful, strong smell that (reputedly) a lot of insect and rodents don’t like. It can be used to freshen up nesting boxes and mixed into the contents of a dust bath.
Various Sizes Available
Suggested use: add to feed
Oregano can help boost chickens immune systems and helps fight off E.coli and Salmonella. When oregano leaves were fed to broilers in a research study, a 59% mortality rate reduction from ascites syndrome-related deaths was observed
Various Sizes Available
Suggested use: add to feed
Parsley is very high in nutrients and will give your chickens a vitamin boost. Parsley can also aid in blood vessel development. You can give this to your chickens fresh so they can eat it as they want, or it can be added dry into their feed. High in nutrients and will give a good vitamin boost. Parsley can also aid in blood vessel development.
Various Sizes Available
Suggested use: add to feed
Roses are edible for chickens and provide many health benefits. Rose petals are a source of vitamins A, C, E, Niacin and antioxidants.
You can mix dried rose petals with other dried flowers such as marigolds, hibiscus flowers & lavender, and a variety of beneficial herbs and feed this herb/flower mixture to your birds a couple times a week along with their regular feed.
You can also add the flowers along with a few antiparasitic herbs (mint & lemongrass and rosemary) to your hens nesting boxes to make them smell nice. But don’t expect them to last too long in the nesting boxes though before they're devoured…and that’s ok, even healthy!
Various Sizes Available
Suggested use: asdd to feed
Adding rosemary to chickens' feed showed some benefit to chickens suffering from liver damage as a result of aflatoxicosis, due to ingestion of toxic moulds, common in poor quality poultry feed.
According to the USDA, fresh rosemary has a very high reserve of vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin C, B vitamins, as well as minerals like magnesium, calcium, copper, iron, and manganese.
The carnosic acid in rosemary has neuroprotective properties. It helps to reduce oxidative stress and overstimulation in nerve cells, ultimately protecting the nervous system.
Rosemary is specifically powerful against bacterial infections. It is linked to preventing Staphylococcus aureus infections (think bumblefoot prevention)
Various Sizes Available
Suggested use: add to feed
Dried Sage leaves strongly inhibit bone resorption, thus may be beneficial to supplement the diet of laying hens at risk of suffering from or already suffering from Avian osteoporosis.
Sage has shown benefit against inhibiting filamentous fungi and yeast such as that caused by Candida albicans and may be beneficial for chickens suffering from sour crop.
-Various Sizes Available
Suggested use: add to feed
A good herb supplement for chicken health, tarragon is a mega nutrition boost containing potassium, protein, magnesium, calcium, iron, vitamin B6, C, and D. Also said to act as an appetite stimulant.
Various Sizes Available
Suggested use: add to feed
Aids in the respiratory health well as evoking an immune response in chickens. Has show potential for improvement of intestinal barrier integrity, Also has antibiotic and antibacterial properties.
Various Sizes Available
Ground Spice
Remember to give in moderation. Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing...variety is the SPICE of life
Suggested use: add to feed
Anise is known to enhance reproductive health in chickens, and so is an incredibly powerful laying stimulant for your girls. It is also sighted to increase the condition of your chickens, and improve their digestive health
Various Sizes Available
Suggested use: add to feed (1% to 2% of total volume is sufficient)
Chickens can't taste the hot stuff in the peppers...but they sure love it.
Its widely reported that cayenne pepper increases egg production.
Cayenne pepper and other foods containing the carotenoid xanthophyll work to make deep orange egg yolks. One farmer claims that by feeding his chickens peppers with a vey high level of carotenoid, his chickens lay eggs with red yolk...
Capsaicin, found in cayenne pepper, has been associated with better digestion. It can increase the activities of digestive enzymes and bile acid secretion, which aid in the digestion of chicken feed and the absorption of its nutrients.
Cayenne pepper’s bioactive ingredients, such as its antioxidants and vitamins, may help strengthen a chicken’s defense system. Chickens can fight off infections and diseases better when their immune systems work better.
Various Sizes Available
Suggested use: add to feed
Cinnamon powder or its derivatives have positive impacts regarding growth curve, digestion, absorption, activity of gut microbiota, immunity, as well as improved feed utilization. Cinnamon has been shown to inhibit the growth of numerous types of bacteria.
Various Sizes Available
Suggested use: add ground Fennel to Feed and some freshly cut Fennel Fronds (foliage) to your nesting boxes.
Fennel may be a useful feed supplement to provide laying hens during hot weather, to alleviate the adverse effects of heat stress pertaining to egg quality. A study conducted in 2015 on 120, 40-week-old White Leghorn laying hens showed that adding 10 to 20 g/kg of fennel to the birds' feed for 30 days was beneficial
Various Sizes Available
Suggested use: add to feed
Supplementing laying hens' diets with 1-3% garlic powder is beneficial for egg quality.
Garlic powder may be helpful for poultry suffering from Coccidiosis. It has been shown to help chickens fight off Eimeria.
Control of Northern fowl mites: Spraying hens with a mixture of 10% garlic juice in water is a natural, effective way to decrease the presence of northern fowl mites in laying hens
Control of Red Poultry Mites: Garlic extract is effective as a repellent against red mites, demonstrating a 96% success after two successive sprays
Various Sizes Available
Suggested use: adding 10-15 g/kg of supplemental ginger root powder to the diet of laying hens was shown to improve laying performance and serum egg yolk antioxidant status and enhance dietary oxidation stability.
Various Sizes Available
Suggested use: add to feed
Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound that has been shown to have antimicrobial activity against a wide range of bacteria, including those resistant to antibiotics. In addition, turmeric has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, which can help boost the immune system of poultry and reduce the need for antibiotics. Studies have shown that turmeric can improve growth performance, and gut health, and reduce the incidence of disease in poultry. Therefore, the use of turmeric as an alternative to antibiotics in poultry production has the potential to not only improve animal health and welfare but also contribute to the fight against antibiotic resistance.
Various Sizes Available
Essential Oils
How much should you use?
Disclaimer:
The information below is intended to inform you of the latest scientific advances in essential oils, and is not intended to diagnose or treat poultry, livestock or people.
Always be sure to follow the dosages recommended by experienced practitioners, or start small if you are experimenting with essential oils on your own. If in doubt, consult a veterinarian or animal health professional.
Essential oils can be used to specifically target pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and parasites in poultry. This is amazing news for the small scale backyard Chicken Keeper!
In fact, essential oils can be used effectively against some of the most feared pathogens in chicken production, such as E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella, Streptococcus, and coccidiosis.
Never apply undiluted essential oils to a hen or to a surface with which the bird will be in direct contact. Essential oils are too potent to be used directly.
Essential oils should always be diluted for maximum effectiveness. As a general rule, the essential oil should be between 0.5 and 2% of the final mixture.
For guidance only...
1 ounce = 30ml. 30ml = 600 drops
50ml = 1,000 drops
100ml = 2,000 drops
Typically, the essential oil is mixed with a small amount of neutral carrier oil, such as olive oil or sunflower oil and then further diluted with water or other liquids to significantly reduce the concentration of the essential oil.
The most important message to remember here is that essential oils work best in small amounts. Tiny amounts. This means diluting the essential oil in a carrier oil first, then using that dilution in drinking water or food.
Basil Oil
Suggested use: add diluted to feed or dilute and spray in the coop or mix into your chickens dust bath.
Oil of basil herb has been found to be beneficial in inhibiting many pathogenic bacteria.
Basil is said to be useful for repelling mosquitoes.
Citronella Oil
Suggested use: Dilute and spray in the coop or mix into your chickens dust bath.
Citronella oil repels mites, lice, mosquitoes and flies...does any more need to be said? All of these pests can wreak havoc on a chicken and create problems in your coop and your flock.
Eucalyptus Oil
Suggested use: add diluted to feed or dilute and spray to disinfect poultry houses and equipment
Eucalyptus Essential Oil can boost the cell-mediated and humoral immune response in chicken.
Peppermint Oil
Suggested use: add diluted to feed or dilute or spray to disinfect poultry houses and equipment
Peppermint oil has also shown to have antiviral properties. It has been found to be effective at reducing the number of Eimeria spp. which cause coccidiosis in chickens.
Peppermint oil has also shown to be of benefit against Newcastle disease in chickens and is used against endoparasites in poultry in British Columbia
Rosemary Oil
Suggested use: add diluted to feed
Rosemary is an antioxidant effect when used in poultry feed, either as feed or drinking water additives.
Thyme Oil
Suggested use: add diluted to feed or drinking water
Thyme oil has antioxidant status as well as evoking an immune response in chickens as well as showing potential for improvement of intestinal barrier integrity.
