natural remedies chickens

7/27/2019 Natural Remedies Chickens

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AFS-

Health management in organic and/or naturalpoultry production is primarily based on dis-ease prevention through implementation of abiosecurity plan. While implementation of acost-effective biosecurity plan is very impor-tant, it is also critical to have a plan in place toreact to any health crisis that may occur. Forthose that are organically certified, this reac-tion plan should be written down and pre-approved by your certifier.

There are three parts to an overall healthmanagement plan1. A biosecurity plan, which is key to reducing

the risk of health problems on your farm.2. It is important to monitor the health of the

flock since early detection of a problem iskey to reducing the economic impact of anyhealth problem experienced.a. Everyone working with your flock should

know what clinical signs to look for.b. A specific time should be set aside daily

to just stand still and observe your flock.Once the flock has settled down, birdsthat are only mildly ill may be identified.When things quiet down in the barn, ab-normal respiratory sounds, called asnick, can be heard. The sounds mayhave a variety of characteristics such asa high-pitched squeak, a suddenchuck sound like a cough, or a gurglingor rattling sound.

c. It is important to keep good records ofdaily activities and observations, feedand water consumption, production (eggproduction or growth rate), and mortal-ity. The first signs of a health problemcan be detected by drops in feed con-sumption and/or egg production or aslight, but continuous increase in thenumber of dead birds found each day.

Natural remedies for poultry diseases

common in natural and organic flocksJacquie Jacob and Tony Pescatore

3. You should have in place a reaction plan inthe case of a health problem. You need toknow what to do prior to the problem occur-ring so that the time lag between detectionand reaction to the problem is kept to aminimum.a. This includes first diagnosing problem

you can not decide what to do if you donot know what the problem is. It is goodto have a list of things to checkincluding the proper functioning of the

feed, water, heating, and ventilation sys-tems.b. The second step is correcting the prob-

lem whether that is a managementchange or treating a disease.

BEHAVIORAL DISTURBANCES

Poultry kept in cage-free housing system,whether on littered floor only or with outdoorgrazing, can be affected by a number of be-havioral disturbances. The most commonproblems in organic laying hens are similar tothose in conventionally managed poultry feather pecking and cannibalism. It is knownfrom research with conventional egg produc-tion that these problems can be triggered by anumber of different factors including breed,feed composition, rearing environment, exter-nal parasites, and other management factors.Most likely the same factors are involved in theoutbreaks of feather pecking or cannibalism inorganic poultry flocks.

Genetics plays a role in behavior problems. Aproducers choice of breed or hybrid can havean affect on the level of feather pecking and/orcannibalism in organic flocks. However, due tointense ongoing breeding efforts the availablecommercial hybrids are continuously changing,both in terms of production capacity and tem-


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perament. It is difficult, therefore, to give anyspecific advice regarding the choice of breedor hybrid. It is important, however, to considerthe temperament of the breed when choosingyour poultry flock.

There has not been a lot of research done onthe use of wound treatments for poultry. Most

commercial poultry producers think in terms offlock health and not any specific individual bird.For large operations it is often more cost effec-tive to cull injured birds. In smaller flocks, how-ever, care and recovery of such birds may playa role. In Australia a wound spray is commer-cially available. As the name implies, the sprayis said to assist with healing of a wound on aninjured chicken. While the product is not cur-rently available in the U.S. it may be helpful toexamine the contents of the Australian prod-

uct. It contains Aloe Vera juice, 3% hydrogenperoxide, sea salts, copper sulfate, and teatree oil.

Sometimes it is necessary to think outside thebox when trying to find solutions to bird-to-birdaggression in a poultry flock. An Australiancompany sells a liquid said to keep the peacebetween chickens. The elixir is made withBach Flower Essences which are sold to mod-ify the mood of humans aromatic therapy of

sorts.

EXTERNAL PARASITES

Continuous external parasites are those thatspend all of their adult life on the host. Com-mon continuous external parasites of poultryare sticktight fleas, chicken body lice, scaly legmites, and northern fowl mites. Temporary ex-ternal parasites are those which feed on thehost but dont live on the host. Common tem-

porary external parasites of poultry includefowl ticks (also known as blue bugs), bedbugs, and chicken mites (also known as redmites or roost mites).

While there are a number of products ap-proved for use in Europe, there are only a fewapproved for use in the United States. MGKCo. sells a pyrethrum-containing product(PyGanic) that can be used in poultry houses

to control insects. The pyrethrum is a botanicalinsecticide derived from chrysanthemums.

Old time remedies are making a re-appearance. Some have been tested in a re-search setting while others have been testedon-farm by individual producers with only anti-dotal information available.

An example of treatment identified in a labora-tory study is the topical application of garlic toreduce northern fowl mite infestation. In a re-search setting, laying hens were individuallysprayed around the vent with either water or10% garlic juice in water. They were sprayedcontinuously each week for three weeks. Topi-cal application of garlic juice was shown to bean effective way to decrease northern fowlmite infestation in laying hens.

An example of antidotal information is thetreatment of scaly leg mites. To combat an in-festation, one producer obtained good resultsby bathing and softening the birds feet for afew minutes in a medium strong solution of po-tassium permanganate. The skin was thenwashed thoroughly, dried, and Vaselinerubbed on. The treatment was repeated everythree days.

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is believed to be anatural insect control powder. DE is obtainedfrom deposits of diatomite which are the fossil-ized sedimentary layers of tiny phytoplanktoncalled diatoms. DE is a form of amorphous sil-ica that can kill insects by desiccation (dryingthem out) by absorbing the oily or waxy cuticlelayer during direct contact. When the thin, wa-terproof layer is lost, the insect loses water anddies. In addition to its desiccant action, DEworks abrasively to rupture insect cuticles. Dia-

tomaceous earth is OMRI Listed as approvedfor organic poultry production.

INTERNAL PARASITES

The most common internal parasite of poultryis coccidia, a protozoa found almost every-where poultry are kept. Today, a reasonablysafe and effective vaccine is available for usein organic poultry production but it must be


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given early (typically to day-old chicks).

Garlic is used with many animals to preventintestinal worm and parasite infestations.Regular addition of garlic into the drinking wa-ter is said to control intestinal worms. Garlic issaid to be especially effective when used inconjunction with worm-repelling plants, such

as wormwood and mint, strategically placedaround the coop.

Chopped or ground pumpkin seeds are said tobe good for the control of tapeworms in layinghens.

Pasture management for parasite control

There are very few de-worming products avail-able for use with organic or natural poultry.

Pasture rotation to break the life cycle ofworms is the best management practice to pre-vent infestation. The choice of pasture cropshas also been shown to have some affect.

A company in Australia is recommending theuse of a number of plants to help with the con-trol of external and/or internal parasites. Forexample:

Wormwood is a medium-sized bush that is

said to have remarkable pest fighting prop-erties. The chickens will pick at the leaves

and will brush against it, helping to get ridof any internal and external parasites.

Peppermint is a creeper plant that also of-fers a terrific scent around the poultry yard.When planted around the coop area, thechickens will eat and walk on the leavesassisting with internal and external parasiteeradication.

Citronella, also known as lemon grass,forms large clumps of aromatic long leavesthat are said to keep flies, fleas and mitesaway from the coop area. The chickens eatthe tips and brush against the bushes whenplanted close by.

Additional plants recommended for poultrypastures:

Dandelion is believed to be a stimulant tothe immune system. In alternative medi-

cine, dandelions are used to treat kidneyand liver disorders of humans. Externallydandelion is used to treat skin disorders.

Yarrow is a medicinal herb used as an anti-septic and digestive aid. In alternativemedicine, yarrow is used against colds andskin irritations.

Sage has been held in high regard through-out history for its culinary and medicinalproperties. It is believed to have health-promoting properties.

Nasturtium is a ground cover creeper whichhas beautiful flowers. When planted near

Off-label use is the practice of prescribing pharmaceuticals for a purpose outside the scope of adrug's approved label, most often concerning the drug's indication. In the United States, the Foodand Drug Administration (FDA) requires numerous clinical trials to prove a drug's safety and effi-cacy in treating a given disease or condition. If satisfied that the drug is safe and effective, thedrug's manufacturer and the FDA agree on specific language describing dosage, route and otherinformation to be included on the drug's label.

Drug use is considered off-label when a product is used at a: different dosage than what is approved on the label greater or lesser frequency of administration than what is approved on the label longer or shorter duration of treatment than what is indicated on the label different route of administration different species than what is indicated on the label different age group different stage of the animals production cycle different dosage form different formulation


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the coop area the chickens will eat the juicyleaves and succulent bright orange or yel-low flowers helping to rid them of any inter-nal parasites.

DISEASE CONTROL AND TREATMENT

There is a variety of potentially useful ingredi-

ents that can be added to the feed or drinkingwater of a poultry flock to improve productionor to reduce the spread of disease. Some ofthese potential ingredients have been tested inlive poultry flocks while others have only beentested in a laboratory without the use of livebirds. Many of the potential ingredients need tobe more thoroughly tested in live birds and inreal production flocks before they will be com-pletely embraced by poultry producers. Thereare, however, a few products that are OMRI

listed that can be used to prevent or treatsome disease situations of organic poultryflocks.

A probiotic is a culture of a single bacteriastrain, or mixture of different strains, that canbe fed to an animal to improve some aspect ofits health. Probiotics are also referred to as di-rect fed microbials (DFM). Probiotics are per-mitted under the rules specified by the NationalOrganic Program (NOP) but may not be fed in

amounts above those needed for adequate nu-trition and health maintenance for the speciesand its specific stage in life. Under NOP rules,probiotics may not be used to stimulate growthor production. Examples of OMRI listed probi-otics include PrimaLac

from Star Labs Inc,

Avicorr from AgTech Products Inc and ThePoultry Answer

from Environmental Care and

Share Inc.

SCD EM Food Grade from SCD

(Sustainable Community Development) is aspecially formulated food-grade probioticmother culture suitable for human and animalconsumption. It contains a source of live, natu-rally occurring microorganisms. The productintroduces beneficial and effective microorgan-isms which work to repopulate the body or liv-ing system with healthy bacteria. It can beadded to animal feed or can be used as a safecleaner for livestock production areas. SCD

EM Food Grade is OMRI listed under Probiot-ics for health. It can not be offered on a routinebasis and must not be administered in the ab-sence of illness.

Probiotics are a potential tool for reducing in-testinal contamination with disease-causingand foodborne bacteria. They may also be

useful in prevention or treatment of coccidiosis.

Prebiotics are nondigestible carbohydrates(compounds containing carbon, hydrogen andoxygenCHO). Many of these carbohydratesare short chains of monosaccharides, calledoligosaccharides. Some oligosaccharides arethought to enhance the growth of beneficialorganisms in the gut, and others are thought tofunction as competitive attachment sites forpathogenic bacteria.

Two of the most commonly studied prebioticoligosaccharides are fructooligosaccharides(FOS) and mannanoligosaccharides (MOS).FOS can be found naturally in some cerealcrops and onions. MOS is obtained from thecell wall of yeast. Examples of OMRI listedMOS products include Agristim

from Bioagra

and Agrimos from Lallemand Animal Nutrition.Safmannan from Lesaffre Feed Additives is aconcentration of yeast hulls obtained via the

breakdown of a yeast by its own enzymes.Safmann is a source of MOS and is OMRIlisted under yeast.

Organic acids have been used successfully inpig production for more than 25 years and con-tinue to be the alternative of choice. Whilemuch less work has been done with poultry,research indicates that they have a potentialrole as an alternative to antibiotics. The antim-icrobial activity of organic acids is related to

reduction in pH and its ability to dissociate.The undissociated form of the organic acidpenetrates the cell membrane of bacteria anddisrupt normal cell metabolism. Formic, aceticand propionic acids, which are organic acids,have the potential to reduce Salmonella andCampylobactercolonization in the gut of poul-try.

Acetic acid is the main component of vinegar.


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Apple cider vinegar is rich in the vitamins, min-erals and trace elements found in apples, es-pecially potassium. In chickens it has beenshown to lower the pH in the digestive tractwhich will make an environment less welcom-ing to pathogens reducing common infectionsand increasing resistance to disease. Typicalinclusion levels are 1/8 1/4 of a teaspoon of

apple cider vinegar to every 110 ml of water(or 4.5 - 8.5 teaspoons per gallon). This levelof inclusion will also discourage algae growth.It should be given for 2-3 days at a time.

Various plant extracts have been studied fortheir antimicrobial abilities.

Essential oils are extracted from plants andpossess the smell and characteristic prop-erties of the plant. They are used chiefly inthe manufacture of perfumes, flavors, and

prescription drugs.Herbs are flowering plants whose stem

above the ground does not become woodyand persistent. They are valued for the me-dicinal properties, flavor, scent, etc.

Botanicals are drugs made from a portion ofthe plant such as the roots, leaves, barks,etc.

Research with plant essential oils hasyielded contradicting results, but there is

enough evidence to suggest that they mayhave a role as a tool in combating bacterialdiseases in poultry. Thyme, oregano, and gar-lic appear to have the most potential.

Royal Optimum Solution, which is OMRIlisted, contains a patented blend of ingredientsderived from essential oils. It basically acts asa natural antibiotic with a broad range of ac-tivity.

Slippery elm bark powder is a botanical usedin alternative medicine in humans to assist withtummy upsets, including prevention of morningsickness often experienced by pregnantwomen. It is said to be useful if your chickenshave diarrhea or are off their food.

BFI Innovations has a series of products madeup of botanicals. They sell their products astailored for use in game bird feeds, pasture

and/or free range chicken, backyard, and com-mercial poultry. The products contain a combi-nation of different natural ingredients. Thecombination depends on the particular product.Some of the natural ingredients the productscontains include:

Aniseed: Digestive enhancer and antimicro-bial

Cassia: Antiseptic, anti-fungal and anti-viral; antibacterial, especially against E.coli.

Cayenne pepper: Appetite stimulant; anti-septic; digestive enhancement

Garlic: Antimicrobial, antifungal; cholesterolreduction; circulation benefits

Ginger: Reduces stress; positive effect onstomach activity; appetite stimulant; antioxi-dant

Horse radish: Digestive stimulant; antisep-

tic; flavoring propertiesJuniper: Gastro-intestinal antiseptic; aids

kidney function; attractive flavor for birds.

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS AVAILABLE FORHEALTH MANAGEMENT OF ORGANIC/NATURAL POULTRY PROUDCTION

There are a number of products containing dia-tomaceous earth (DE) that have been ap-proved for use in organic poultry production.

Rather than being used to control externalparasites, DE can also be used to improveconditions in a poultry house typically by neu-tralize ammonia. Reducing ammonia level re-duces the level of stress to the birds, increasesweight gains and productivity. An example ofan OMRI listed DE product is Barn Fresh

from Absorbent Products Ltd. which is containsdiatomaceous earth and a particular clay.

In addition to its uses in external parasite and

ammonia control, DE is also used as a feedadditive. An example of an OMRI listed prod-uct is Fossil Shell Flour from Perma-Guard Incwhich is made from pure freshwater diatoma-ceous earth. DE has been reported to absorbmethyl mercury, E. coli, endotoxins, viruses,some pesticide residues and drug residues.The pyrethroid insecticide residues may alsobind to DE. The DE product passes un-changed through the digestive tract.


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Red Lake Earth

DE with calcium bentonitefrom Absorbent Products Ltd. Is also OMRIlisted. Red Lake Earth can be added to animalfeeds as an anti-caking agent or as an inertcarrier in a premix. It is said to improve theflow ability and mix ability of all types of feed.

Ammonia control is important when poultry

flocks are kept indoors, especially in the winterwhen there is limited opportunity for use of thepasture. Additional products are available tohelp control ammonia levels, improving thehealth and productivity of poultry. Extracts forthe Yucca schidigere plant are often used forthis purpose. An OMRI listed Yucca product isBiosupreme. The product comes as a liquidand a powder so can be added to either thewater or feed.

Thermocal Neutralizer from Thermocal Minesof Idaho also reduces odor but it is added tothe litter rather than fed to the birds. In additionto reducing odor it absorbs moisture and en-riches manure. When the enriched manure isapplied to crop fields, it helps reduce soil acid-ity. Unlike limestone barnlime, Thermocal Neu-tralizer is not irritating or harmful to people orlivestock. Thermocal Neutralizer contains highlevels of calcium carbonate. It is considered amanagement tool rather than a feed additive.

Additional examples of an OMRI listed dietarysources of calcium carbonate are Penergeti-tfrom Planistics Management Ltd. and RoyalOptimum Powder from Van Beek NaturalScience LLC. Both products have been shownto improve appetite, when included in the dietat the recommended level.

Amaferm

from BioZyme Inc. is a dried extractof a non-pathogenic strain of the fungusAsper-gillus oryzae. This OMRI listed product can beadded to the feed and is said to enhancegrowth and development of microorganisms inthe digestive tract responsible for the break-down of fibrous feed ingredients.

Culbac Fermentation Product for Animals isan OMRI listed product from TransAgra Inter-national Inc. It is obtained by growing the bac-teria Lactobacillus acidophilus in a special nu-trient medium. The finished product containsdried Lactobacillus fermentation product, lacticacid and roughage.

Levucell

SB from Lalleland Animal Nutrition isan active dry yeast that was selected for itsability to maintain the balance of intestinal mi-

croflora. It is said to neutralize toxins, bind topathogenic bacteria, and reinforce intestinalwall integrity which allows animals to resisthealth challenges. Levucell is OMRI

listed un-

der yeast.

XPC Green Yeast and XP Green Culturesfrom Diamond V Mills Inc. are produced by fer-menting selected liquid and cereal grain rawingredients with bakers yeast and drying theentire culture-media without destroying the

yeast factors, B-vitamins and other fermenta-tion products. The growth media of XPC Greenconsists of processed grain by-products,roughage products and cane molasses whilethe growth media of XP Green consists of corngluten feed, hominy feed, wheat middlings, ryemiddlings and cane molasses. Both productsare OMRI listed under yeast.

Brand names appearing in th is publication are examples only.No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products no t mentioned.

Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extensionwork, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, M. Scott Smith, Director, Land Grant Programs, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Lexing-ton, and Kentucky State University, Frankfort. Copyright 2011 for materials developed by University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. This publication may be reproduced in portions or its entiretyfor educational and nonprofit purposes only. Permitted users shall give credit to the author(s) and include this copyright notice. Publications are also available on the World Wide Web atwww.ca.uky.edu.

Issued 02-2011

natural remedies chickens

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