The health and well-being of your chickens depend on their immune systems. A strong immune system prevents them from contracting various diseases and infections, ensuring a long and healthy life. Despite the availability of synthetic supplements on the market, many chicken owners prefer natural ways to boost their flock’s immunity. This article will discuss the ten best natural ways to boost your chicken’s immune system. You can ensure a thriving and resilient flock by implementing these natural techniques.
Natural Ways to Boost Your Chicken’s Immune System
Garlic
Garlic can help strengthen chickens’ immune systems, making them more resistant to diseases and infections. White blood cells fight against pathogens, and allicin in garlic stimulates their production.
Garlic has other benefits for chickens besides boosting their immune systems. As a natural dewormer, it can help eliminate intestinal parasites that affect birds’ health. It is also known that garlic improves digestion and helps chickens have a healthy gut microbiome.
Consuming too much garlic can be harmful to chickens and even toxic to them. Adding four garlic cloves to their regular diet is one feeding method. Adding garlic-infused water to their drinking supply is another option. As they drink water, the chickens will consume the garlic naturally.
Apple Cider Vinegar
It’s well known for its benefits to humans, but those benefits don’t end there. You can improve your chicken’s health naturally by using apple cider vinegar. Ensure your flock gets a healthy dose of antioxidants daily by adding a few drops to the water feeder. Apple Cider Vinegar reduces toxic, harmful stresses that can cause bacteria like E-coli and Salmonella to grow. Furthermore, apple cider vinegar aids digestion by preventing harmful bacteria from multiplying in the gut. Some keepers have also reported increased egg production and chicken growth using apple cider vinegar.
Herbs
Several herbs contain medicinal properties. The key is to choose immune-boosting herbs for chickens and poultry that effectively achieve the desired goal. By doing this, we ensure that our poultry are provided with herbs that boost their immune systems and overall health.
- Astragalus: Antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory qualities
- Basil: Adaptogen, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory qualities
- Echinacea: Antibiotic, antibacterial, aids in establishing a strong respiratory system
- Garlic: Antibacterial, natural immune boosting
- Marjoram: Anti-inflammatory, aids in respiratory issues
- Nettle: Antiparasitic, high in vitamins, calcium, and magnesium for strong health support
- Oregano: Antibiotic, antibacterial, antioxidant, aids in establishing a strong respiratory system
- Parsley: High in vitamins K, D, A, iron, and folate
- Sage: Antibacterial. antioxidant, antiparasitic
- Thyme: Antiparasitic, antibacterial, aids in establishing a strong respiratory system
Sea kelp
Kelp continues to gain popularity among farmers and homesteaders around the world. Sea kelp is becoming increasingly popular among chickens as it is widely used for larger livestock. Your chicken’s immune system can be boosted with free choice sea kelp, which improves immune function, increases meat quality in meat birds, and provides essential vitamins and minerals. Offer freely to your flock.
In case you missed it: Are Herbicides and Pesticides Safe for Chickens?: Keeping Your Flock Healthy and Happy
Vegetables
Supporting the immune system of chickens is essential to their health and well-being. Incorporating vegetables into their diet is one of the effective and natural ways to boost their immune system.
- Leafy Greens: A strong chicken’s immune system depends on leafy greens, such as kale, spinach, and Swiss chard. As well as antioxidants, these vegetables protect from cellular damage.
- Carrots: Carrots are great sources of beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. The respiratory and digestive systems of chickens need to consume adequate amounts of vitamin A. Carrots also contain antioxidants that can boost the chicken’s immune system.
- Broccoli: Among the many health benefits of broccoli for chickens, it is a nutrient-dense vegetable. Vitamins A, C, and K, calcium, and iron are abundant. As a result of these nutrients, chickens are protected against illness and have a robust immune system.
Probiotics
As with humans, chickens can benefit from probiotics in their diet. Our immune systems are boosted by probiotics, which help digest food. For chickens, they do the same thing. Rather than overfeeding your flock with dairy products, try giving them plain yogurt in small doses. Whey, fermented grains, or kombucha are other alternatives. Adding probiotics to their diet makes it easier for the chickens to eat and digest their food.
Seeds and Grains
- Sunflower Seeds: Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and protein are abundant in sunflower seeds. It was a big hit with the chickens as well.
- Pumpkin Seeds: A powerhouse of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and protein, these seeds are also an excellent natural wormer! In addition, chickens can eat pumpkin flesh as well. Be sure your pecking chickens have access to grit to digest the fibrous flesh.
- Great Grains: Oats, barley, malted grains, corn, and wheat berries are some of the grains. In addition to their protein content, grains are packed with minerals that boost immunity. Chickens also love them.
Fruits
Berry, kiwi, and papaya are chock full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that your chickens will love. You can boost the immune system of your chickens by feeding them the following fruits.
- Bananas: They contain vitamins B6 and B12, plus magnesium, potassium, fiber, and protein.
- Blueberries: Berries are packed full of healthful nutrients. Vitamins and trace elements like selenium and phosphorus abound. They aid in digestion and contain antioxidants.
- Strawberries: Another superfood for your chickens. They are full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and a powerful immune booster; the chickens truly love them.
- Raspberries, blackberries: The hens enjoy all. If you have a bramble patch, you will find a few intrepid hens eating all the berries they can find.
Eggs and Regular Exercise
Last but not least, the things they create can also boost their immune system. Add some eggs to your flock’s diet by boiling or scrambling them. Besides being a tasty treat, eggs are an excellent source of protein and vitamins. Cooking the eggs is the best way to prevent your flock from becoming accustomed to raw eggs.
In case you missed it: 10 Best Fancy Breeds of Chickens: Do Ornamental/Fancy Chickens Lay Eggs?
Regular Exercise
You should encourage your chickens to scratch, peck, and forage naturally. As a result, their immune system is stimulated and kept active. If possible, provide a spacious outdoor area or supervised free-range time for them to exercise and explore.
Conclusion
By implementing these natural ways to boost your chicken’s immune system, you can help ensure they stay healthy and thrive. Remember to consult with a veterinarian for specific guidance and tailor these methods to your chicken’s needs.
- Feed Your Flock for Less: Top 10 Tips to Save on Chicken Feed
- Ultimate Guide to Ossabaw Island Hog: Breeding, Raising, Diet, and Care
- Hatching Answers: The Top 10 Reasons Your Chickens Aren’t Laying Eggs
- Eggs and Economics: Breaking Down the Cost of Raising Backyard Chickens
- Defend Your Greens: Proven Methods to Keep Iguanas Out of Your Garden
- Ultimate Guide to Cinnamon Queen Chicken: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners
- Ultimate Guide to California Tan Chicken: Breeding, Raising, Diet, Egg-Production and Care
- Ultimate Guide to Marsh Daisy Chicken: Breeding, Raising, Diet, and Care
- 10 Types of Chicken Farming Businesses You Can Start for Profits