Herbs You Should Feed Your Poultry Birds To Keep Them Healthy

Herbs are generally green leafy or flowering parts of plants that are aromatic or savory used for flavoring, garnishing, or medicinal purposes. However, the use of herbs is not only limited to humans but has also been shown to be useful for livestock, especially in organic poultry farming, where most of them are widely used as an alternative to synthetic drugs.

There are several potent herbs used for poultry in Nigeria, some of these herbs have antibiotic effects, some are used as vaccines, while others are used as natural growth promoters for poultry, especially in meat and egg production.

We have compiled a list of some of the best herbs for your chickens. These herbs are easy to get and  really affordable. You may even decide to grow some in your garden and harvest them to use when needed.

Scent Leaves 

According to Healthline, scent leaves are a very powerful antibiotic; it contains a number of essential minerals and vitamins; such as: Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Potassium, Carbon and Vitamin A. It has the ability to improve the immune system of chickens when fed regularly. It is also one of the herbs that you can use on your chickens to ensure their gut health.

Garlic

According to Healthline, garlic stimulates the digestive tract, regulates liver function, boosts the immune system, and fights and treats infections because it is a natural antibacterial. It is also said to help deworm chickens and other pets.

Tagiri Plant (Christmas Melon) 

Tagiri is one of the oldest herbs used for poultry. It is commonly used as a potent vaccine against Newcastle disease and other viral diseases. It also strengthens the immune system and promotes growth.

Pawpaw Leaves 

Papaya leaves are herb that has been shown to be beneficial  for poultry; When dried, it acts as a good dewormer and also prevents coccidiosis.

Neem Leaves

Neem leaves are great for feeding birds because they have antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antitoxin, and anthelmintic properties. Neem also helps to protect the liver of poultry and strengthens their immune system. Neem leaves are one of the herbal treatments for Newcastle disease.

Ginger

Ginger is an effective antiviral and antibiotic  herb. It helps with digestive problems and is also an immune booster.

Conclusion: Adding some of these herbs in moderation to your chicken feed or water is a great way to improve the overall health of your chickens and improve growth rates.