Raising Chickens
When using essential oils for your flock, always adhere to the recommended dosages provided by experienced practitioners, or start with small amounts if you are experimenting on your own. If you’re unsure, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian or animal health professional. The information shared in this post aims to provide the latest scientific insights on essential oils but is not intended to diagnose or treat chickens, livestock, or people.
Remember, when it comes to essential oils, a little goes a long way. Adding more oil or increasing the concentration of a solution does not necessarily lead to better results for your birds. In fact, excess essential oils can be harmful.
This is particularly important when using essential oils as feed additives. While small amounts can support digestion and improve feed conversion rates for weight gain, too much can irritate the sensitive mucous membranes of your birds, especially chicks, potentially causing more harm than good. Always exercise caution and follow guidelines for safe use.
Chicken Ailments
| Bacillus cereus (ie: Gizzard Erosion/Ulceration/Exacerbated Respiratory) | Rosemary ~ Sage |
| Bacillus subtilis (ie: Intestinal Health & Gut Integrity) | Oregano ~ Rosemary ~ Sage ~ Thyme |
| Candida albicans (ie: Sour Crop) | Eucalyptus ~ Oregano ~ Thyme |
| Eimeria (ie: Coccidiosis) | Oregano ~ Thyme |
| Enterobacter cloacae | Oregano ~ Peppermint ~ Rosemary ~ Thyme |
| Enterobacter faecalis | Thyme |
| E. coli | Eucalyptus ~ Oregano ~ Peppermint ~ Sage ~ Tea Tree ~ Thyme |
| Listeria monocytogenes | Oregano ~ Peppermint ~ Rosemary ~ Sage ~ Thyme |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | Peppermint ~ Thyme |
| Salmonella sp. | Eucalyptus ~ Oregano ~ Peppermint ~ Rosemary ~ Sage ~ Tea Tree ~ Thyme |
| Staphylococcus aureus | Eucalyptus ~ Oregano ~ Peppermint ~ Rosemary ~ Sage ~ Tea Tree ~ Thyme |
| Egg Laying Stimulant | Fennel ~ Parsley |
| Mouse Repellant | Peppermint |
| Parasites | Oregano |
| General Wellness | Minerals |
Fun Facts about Chickens!
- Chickens are omnivores...they eat just about anything!
- Chickens have great memories & can recognize over 100 faces
- Chickens have strong color vision
- They dream when they sleep
- Chickens have complex communication with specific meanings
- Egg color is determined by genetics
- Chickens are technically dinosaurs
- Chickens "chew" their food usng their gizzard
- Chickens don't pee...only poop
- They take dirt baths
- There are more chickens than people
- Hens communicate with their eggs
- Hens are born with a certain amount of eggs inside of them & when they've layed them all, they are done laying, period.
