By: Valerie Bisby, LVT; Senior Patient Care Training Coordinator, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Spring & Katy, TX
If you’re looking for a sign to get some chickens, consider this to be the time! Not without speaking to your significant other though…I don’t want to be responsible for any potential arguments. I would classify myself as an advanced beginner in the backyard
chicken category, so I am by no means an expert. Although I’ve only had chickens for a couple years, the amount of knowledge I’ve learned and continue to learn has been the most exciting. My favorite thing to share about the things I do for my flock is about
herbal supplementation – the wonderful benefits as well as how cost effective it is to keep a happy and healthy flock.
Parsley: Parsley helps aid circulation and blood vessel growth, as well as encouraging feather growth. Each year when my flock’s feathers molt, I’ll add in a little extra parsley.
Basil: Basil is a natural insect repellent and helps keep chickens free of parasites. Additionally, it helps with any respiratory issues and improves their overall mucous membrane health.
Oregano: Oregano is one of my favorites and is loaded with benefits! It’s rich in antimicrobial and anti-anxiety properties, as well as antioxidants. Oregano greatly improves their immune system and stress levels, resulting in excellent egg quality.
Rosemary: This herb can be beneficial for chickens whether it’s in their feed or even planted around their coop! It serves as a natural deodorizer and provides excellent respiratory support. If added to their feed, rosemary can be a mild pain reliever
and can help prevent infections due to its antibacterial and antifungal effects. Rosemary is particularly good to add because it encourages nutrient absorption and digestion which overall keeps them healthy!
Marjoram: Marjoram is a high-quality herb that helps fight infections such as
E. coli and Salmonella.
Red Pepper Flakes: A fun fact about this one is that chickens don’t have capsaicin receptors, which is the ingredient in red pepper flakes that’s responsible for the heat. Therefore, they don’t taste the spice! Red pepper flakes are a natural dewormer
and help fight bacteria within their gut. Additionally, this contributes to their egg quality, resulting in a richer and brighter egg yolk. Because of the spice, this will also deter any potential predators.
Honey: I’ve never added honey to my chicken’s feed before, although that might be a little funny to watch. Instead, I add honey to their water routinely. Honey is a natural antibiotic, aids in wound healing, improves egg quality and helps them cope with
heat stress. Very beneficial in the Texas summers!
The list of herbs that are safe and beneficial to chickens is far greater than the list provided. I have found it is most convenient, and cost effective, to add in Italian Seasoning to each bag of feed. Then, every few months, I’ll also add red pepper flakes
to deworm my flock. I will always find it incredibly fascinating that some of the things that we might have in our backyard can provide so many benefits!
