As a chicken farmer, it is very important to know the different natural antibiotics for chickens so whenever you are far from the vet, you know what to do.
Like any other animal, chickens are not immune to diseases, so it is important that you are prepared for any discomfort that your birds may present.
Generally, poultry farmers tend to treat the diseases of their birds with chemical or synthetic antibiotics, which if used indiscriminately, the meat of these birds can present a risk to the health of the consumer.
Therefore, it is best to avoid the use of synthetic antibiotics and treat diseases with the use of natural antibiotics for chickens.
Antibiotics help us prevent infections that are caused by bacteria, in the case of synthetic antibiotics, they allow us to fight bird disease more quickly and effectively. The use of chemical antibiotics over time has serious consequences for the hens’ organs, in addition to the fact that their meat is not very suitable for human consumption.
However, there are organic and natural antibiotics for chickens that we can use to treat the disease in our poultry, without representing a health risk. In this article, we will talk about
Natural antibiotics for chickens
Currently, several natural ingredients are known that can be used as antibiotics for chickens since it contains characteristics and medicinal properties that attack and eliminate pathogenic bacteria. Here is the list of the 5 best natural antibiotics for poultry.
1. Garlic
Garlic is widely recognized for its great therapeutic potential, this vegetable has an antibiotic character due to its high antimicrobial activity. On the other hand, garlic has a modulating effect on the intestinal microbiota, that is, it inhibits the formation of microbial communities. For years, garlic has been used to fight infections that cause different diseases in chickens, obtaining excellent results in poultry use. Some of the diseases or bacteria that can be treated with this vegetable are:
- Salmonellosis in chickens (Salmonella spp.).
- Avian coccidiosis.
- Avian flu.
- Clostridium spp.
- Infectious bronchitis.
- Campylobacter spp.
- Distemper.
How to use
All you have to do is crush the garlic cloves and place them in the chicken feeder along with their food so that they consume it. You can also place the crushed garlic in the trough so that the properties of the garlic are released little by little into the water of your birds.
2. Onion garlic smoothie
As we have already mentioned, garlic has great antiseptic properties that help increase defenses, and in the case of onion, it contains large amounts of sulfur that prevent respiratory infections. This smoothie helps prevent the spread of bacteria such as:
- Infectious coryza.
- Campylobacter spp.
- Salmonella spp.
- Fowl cholera.
- Clostridium spp.
- How to use:
Place 6 garlic cloves in the blender and add a white onion in pieces. Add water to half the glass of the blender and blend the ingredients. Later, mix the smoothie with chicken feed. This you can repeat 5 times a week.
3. Pepper / Black Pepper
Pepper is an excellent natural antibiotic especially to reduce the risks of diseases in laying hen breeds, this is due to its purifying and antiparasitic properties, in addition to helping to strengthen the immune system.
How to use:
In the case of chicks, a peppercorn can be supplied by manual introduction through the beak. In the case of adult chickens, mix their feed with some whole or chopped peppercorns, and then place it in their feeders for them to eat.
4. Apple vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is considered one of the best intestinal cleansers thanks to its aseptic acid content. This particular property allows to eliminate or prevent the growth of malignant bacteria and microbes. So it has turned out to be one of the best natural antibiotics for chickens that are frequently used by poultry farmers.
How to use:
This is a natural remedy that is quite easy to carry out, all you have to do is put 100ml of apple cider vinegar in your poultry waterer for every liter of water. This can be done 2 times a week. When we add apple cider vinegar to the chicken water, we provide vitamins A + C, minerals, phosphorus, and calcium, which help strengthen their immune system and maintain the vitality of our birds.
5. Thyme
Thyme is known for its antimicrobial, antiseptic, mucolytic, and expectorant characteristics. Which makes it an excellent natural antibiotic to eliminate or prevent gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases in poultry.
How to use:
Bring a liter of water to a boil in a saucepan and add 3 tablespoons of thyme, let it boil for 1 to 3 minutes and then let it cool. Once the infusion is cold, pour it into your chicken waterer for them to drink. Another easy way to feed your bird is to put thyme directly in their feeders.
Frequently Asked Questions on Natural Antibiotics for Chicken
Why is there no antibiotics in chicken?
The use of antibiotics on chicken farms not only encourages chickens to grow unnaturally large, unnaturally fast—it also poses a grave threat to human health, in the form of growing antibiotic resistance.
Is garlic good for chickens?
Can chickens eat garlic? Absolutely. Chicken keepers have used raw garlic for years to help ward off a whole list of poultry ailments including respiratory problems, infection, and as general support to the immune system. Every rural Italian family grows enough garlic to last one year.
Is fresh oregano good for chickens?
Possibly, but what is known is that oregano is a healthy addition to a chicken’s diet, and they love it. Oregano is packed with vitamins, including E and K, plus calcium and antioxidants. It also supports immune-system and respiratory health.
Is turmeric good for chickens?
It has been found that the feeding of turmeric rhizome powder in the poultry diet helped to improve the morbidity and mortality of broiler chickens. It is also proven that the use of turmeric in poultry feed is helpful for public health with no side effects.
Can I give my chickens amoxicillin?
The recommended dosage is 15 mg amoxicillin trihydrate per kg bodyweight. The total period of treatment should be for 3 days or in severe cases for 5 days.
How do you tell if a chicken has an infection?
Common signs of disease in poultry
- feather loss (unless birds are going through a natural molt)
- general inactivity.
- discharges.
- abnormal droppings.
- dull and/or closed eyes.
- ruffled feathers.
- drooped wings.
- sitting on haunches or lying down.
What medicine can I give a sick chicken?
A poultry veterinarian shared with me that they prescribe ProZyme to their sick patients. ProZyme helps sick chickens produce the enzymes needed to digest feed properly and makes feed ingredients more bio-available when they most need them. Add 1/4 teaspoon per 1 cup of feed.
Can organic chicken have antibiotics?
The birds must be raised organically no later than two days after they hatch; They must be fed certified organic feed for their entire lives. Organic feed cannot contain animal by-products, antibiotics, or genetically engineered grains and cannot be grown using persistent pesticides or chemical fertilizers.
Is Ginger good for chickens?
For chickens, Ginger is known to be a great appetite stimulant, anti-oxidant, and also a stress reducer-perfect for when the pressure of being a hen gets all too much! Ginger is a miracle worker for our feathered friends’ circulatory system, helping to stimulate blood flow, so adding it to their diet in winter is a must.
Is apple cider vinegar good for sick chickens?
The short answer to this question is: Yes! Apple cider vinegar is safe for chickens as long as it’s used in moderation. Most chicken keepers who add this acidic supplement to their hens’ diets only use a tiny bit at a time, which is enough to provide the extra level of wellness support they’re looking for.
How do you worm chickens naturally?
Every couple of weeks year-round I mince up a whole bulb, mixed with some chopped fresh mint, and feed it to the chickens free choice and they seem to love it. Garlic, especially in conjunction with mint is a wonderful year-round natural wormer. I also crush fresh garlic cloves into their water on a regular basis.
Is onion good for chickens?
Garlic, onions, and other strong-tasting foods – These won’t harm your chickens, but they may impart an undesirable taste to the eggs that your hens lay. Avocado skins and pits – These contain persin, a fungicidal toxin that can be fatal to chickens.
What is the best natural dewormer for chickens?
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Add 1 teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar to each Gallon of water for the chicken
- Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth with chicken feed
- Plain yogurt with live and active cultures
- Raw pumpkin seeds
- Vitamins and electrolytes with probiotics
- Garlic
What herbs can chickens eat?
Herbs that are definitely on the “good” list include oregano, thyme, parsley, basil, mint, dill, sage, marjoram, lavender, calendula, comfrey, cilantro, garlic, tarragon and so many more.
Can I put iodine in chicken water?
You can a 1 drop of J. Crow’s Lugol’s Iodine Solution in 250 ml of drinking water of birds daily for several weeks. If the problem is severe, then 20% iodine can be injected intramuscularly with a dosage of 0.3 ml/kg.
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