Poultry farming is unarguably a very lucrative type of livestock farming. The ability to creatively reduce the cost of production without compromising the performance of the birds makes any poultry business lucrative and profitable. Using herbs for chickens is a very cheap way to reduce the cost of poultry production; it allows you as a poultry farmer to earn more at reduced expenses.
Poultry diseases and feeding make poultry farmers spend more than expected. Feeding and medications take about 75% and 3% respectively of the total cost of production in a poultry business; this simply means if you want to earn more as a poultry farmer, you must find a means to tweak these two factors, feeding, and medication. The safest means to tweak these factors simultaneously is the use of herbs.
Herbs are plant materials that can be used to improve the chicken’s immunity and flavor its products. Herbs are given as feed additives and nutritional supplements; some herbs have high nutritional importance, like sunflower to brighten the egg yolk color, while some only boost the immune system like garlic and ginger. In this article, I have compiled a list of the best herbs for chickens.
Herbs That Are Good for Chickens
These are potent herbs that can be used to improve the health and performance of chickens; these herbs have been scientifically proven to perform specific functions in chickens; they are anthelmintics, colorants, nutrient supplements, and antibiotics. Top of these herbs are
1. Pawpaw Leaves and Seeds
Pawpaw leaves and seeds are proven beneficial herbs for chickens; when dried, pawpaw leaves contain about 70% Crude protein. Not only that, dried pawpaw seeds and leaf extract have anthelminthic properties that can eliminate intestinal parasites. Dried and powdered pawpaw seeds can be used as organic dewormer for chicken.
2. Bitter Leaves (Vermonia amygydalina)
Popularly called Ewuro in Yoruba, Onugbu in Igbo, Chusar-doki in Hausa. This herb is not too palatable because of its bitter taste but it is very effective in treating various parasitic worms and poultry diseases. It is also a good antibiotic as it helps to boost the immune system of the chickens.
3. Ginger
Ginger is an effective antibiotic and antiviral herb. It is very effective in treating coccidiosis in poultry and other poultry diseases.
4. Garlic
Like Ginger, Garlic is also a very effective antibiotic. It may be served wholly or mixed with ginger to cure various poultry diseases and infections.
5. Christmas Melon
Also known as Tangiri, Christmas melon is another effective antiviral herb. It can be used to cure Newcastle disease in poultry.
6. Azolla
Azolla is one of the best herbs chickens can eat. It is rich in protein and other nutrients needed by chickens to grow well. Azolla can be served to improve the quality of the chicken’s product; it can improve the egg yolk color, the taste of the meat, and their nutritional benefits.
7. Scent leaf
Botanically called Ocimum gratissimum, Efirin in Yoruba, Nchanwu leaf in Igbo, and Daidoya in Hausa. Scent leaf is a very powerful antibiotic; it contains several essential minerals and vitamins; such as Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Potassium, Carbon, and Vitamin A. It has the ability to improve the immune system of the chicken greatly when served on a regular basis.
8. Basil
Basil is an easy-to-grow herb, and it can be used in a variety of ways. It’s great for adding flavor to chicken dishes, but it also has many health benefits. Basil contains powerful antioxidants, which can help chickens reduce oxidative stress, and other poultry diseases. Basil also has antibacterial properties that prevent illness in chickens.
9. Rosemary
Rosemary is another great herb for chickens. It contains antioxidants that help keep chickens healthy by fighting off disease and bacteria, as well as protecting them from parasites like lice or mites. Rosemary also helps increase the amount of iron in their diet, which boosts their energy levels and makes them feel better overall.
10. Oregano
Oregano is a spicy herb that’s often used in Italian cooking (and pizza). It has many health benefits like those mentioned above for basil and rosemary; Oregano can boost your chicken’s immune system so they stay healthier longer and fight off infections more easily than other types of poultry would if they didn’t have access to fresh oregano leaves every day.
Dosage and Administration of Herbs For Chickens
Most of these herbs can be given to chickens orally through water or dried to include in chicken feeds. Also, there is no precise dosage you can give your birds but for economic reasons, they are mostly served at 10ML to 1 liter of water; these herbs can be given to chicken 3 days fortnightly. If you want to operate an organic poultry farm, you can build your birds’ immunity on these herbs.
Poisonous Herbs For Chicken
While many herbs are good and can benefit your chicken immensely, some herbs are poisonous to chickens and can cause harm to their health and production. Because some herbs are poisonous and unpalatable to chickens, you need to be wary of them if you want your chickens to stay healthy. Here are the ones that are poisonous:
1. Cassava leaves
Fresh cassava leaves contain Hydrocyanide, which is an antinutrient. Cassava leaves are poisonous to chickens and can greatly impair the health of the chickens or even cause death when fed heavily.
2. Tobacco leaves
Just like cassava leaves, tobacco leaves are poisonous to chickens; they contain a stimulant called Nicotine. This compound can impair the health of your chicken; hence, it should be avoided.
3. Irish Potato Leaves
While chickens can eat Irish potato chips, Irish potato leaves are bad for chickens. Irish potato leaves contain Solanine, an antinutrient that can harm your chicken’s health if you feed it too much.
In summary, herbs are good for chickens; they are safe and non-toxic to chickens. Herbs help chickens build a solid immune system and make chicken products (eggs and meat) safe for human consumption. Herbs are commonly given to chicks orally through drinking water; however, dried herbs for chickens can be added to the feed instead of the water.
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