Herbs and natural home remedies can keep

Over the past few years, raising backyard flocks has surged in popularity, with an estimated 85 million backyard chickens reported in 2024 in the U.S. alone, making Americans’ feathered friends the third most common pet in the nation. 

Experts suggest individuals who find themselves in a pinch or those simply looking for natural and organic ways to keep their flocks healthy may need to look no further than their kitchen cupboards. 

From the kitchen cupboard

Garlic is a tried-and-true, all-around natural remedy trusted by many people who raise chickens. 

According to several sources, garlic has antiviral, antibacterial and antiparasitic properties and can be used to boost the immune system. Garlic may also prevent respiratory infections and remedy oral canker. 

“Garlic can be given to hens in the form of oil or raw bulbs crushed up and added to drinking water,” explains the British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT). “A word of warning, however, go easy to begin with. A whole bulb of garlic in the water will taste funny to your hens, so start with a small amount and gradually increase to their tolerance level.”

Other herbs used as natural home remedies by those who raise chickens include echinacea, a powerful immune booster used to prevent and treat infections such as colds and respiratory issues, and thyme, a powerful antimicrobial herb also used to prevent and treat respiratory infections and other ailments.

With its antiviral, antibacterial and antiparasitic properties, oregano can also be used to treat a variety of chicken ailments, including respiratory infections and parasites.

Additionally, oregano oil mixed with olive oil is believed to be effective in remedying sour crop, while olive oil is thought to be helpful in remedying impacted crop. 

If individuals have a difficult time getting olive oil into an impacted hen, BHWT suggests mixing it with mashed watermelon and feeding it to the hen. 

Some experts recommend massaging with coconut oil to loosen an impacted crop. 

Apple cider vinegar is another helpful at-home remedy many likely have on hand.

According to BHWT, apple cider vinegar is a great natural supplement useful for crop and gut conditions at a recommended dosage of 10 to 50 milliliters per liter of drinking water for five consecutive days. 

However, BHWT warns, “Do not use apple cider vinegar in a metal container, as it can cause zinc poisoning which could prove fatal to your hens.”

From the bathroom cabinet 

A few other natural remedies may be found just a short distance away in the bathroom cabinet. 

In fact, BHWT notes Vaseline can be applied to edges of the henhouse to deter red mites, as they can’t travel across the slippery surface. 

Baby oil has also been suggested by those who raise chickens to treat hens with dry, balding skin. 

Other home remedies 

Other home remedies worth mentioning include baicalin powder, a natural food product reported to help with Marek’s disease; milk thistle, which is believed to be useful in supporting hens with liver disease and acidified copper sulphate, which can be used as an antifungal treatment for sour crop and in remedying oral canker.

“The suggested quantity, as confirmed by our poultry veterinarian, is to add one gram per three to five liters of drinking water and three milliliters of apple cider vinegar,” BHWT explains. “Make it fresh on a daily basis and feed ad lib as drinking water. Again, please note, it is important not to use a metal waterer when using apple cider vinegar.”

BHWT also recommends providing the flock with wood ash, multipurpose compost, diatomaceous earth and/or sand to protect chickens from red mite. 

“We’ve long promoted the benefits of a good dust bath – it’s your chicken’s version of a spa day,” BHWT says.

Speaking of the spa, BHWT also notes spraying eucalyptus oil on bedding can help deter parasites and aid in respiratory health. 

“We suggest not using full strength oil and diluting it instead with a carrier oil such as olive oil, sunflower oil or coconut oil,” BHWT concludes.

Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.