AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

hi kylie garlic,parsley,oinion,chilli,and spring onion are some that i feed to my chooks.

My lovely husband ordered some plants today from an organic herb website - some comfrey, elderberry & garlic.

Thanx Deb, i have comfrey and garlic.. Do you mind me asking what web site he used?

Sorry, Kylie. I missed your question until the thread was put in the new section!

I've had a look through all the old emails but can't find where he ordered it. I'll check and get back to you.

Deb

I am really interested as well.

Thats ok Deb

Not long after i started the thread i found this site

http://www.greenharvest.com.au/index.htm

I thought maybe it was the one you used

I've order alot of seeds from there and found them really good. They have a section just for chickens.. They have quite a good range..

I now it has been a while since this chat has circulated but I have recently been doing a lot of research on this subject. I have plenty of info on herbs for horses and dogs but not poultry. There is a vast difference in animals when it comes to palatability, toxicity and benifits with herbs

I am yet to find an actual extended source in 1 place but thus far I have found the following herbs good for poultry:

Aloe Vera (natural antibiotic)
Parsley - Italian is the hardier variety (Helps with respiratory complaints)
Comfrey (Helps with respiratory complaints)
Rue (Antiseptic and Anathelmintic or Insecticidal)
Marjoram (Antispasmodic and helps with respiratory complaints)
Dandelion (Good for the digestive tract and helps to remove toxins from the body)
Nettle (High in minerals) WARNING - cut back old plants to encourage new gowth. Consumption of old plants can cause kidney damage in humans so this is something needed to keep in mind.
Nasturtium (Antiseptic and helps with respiratory complaints)
Wormwood (Highly recommended as this will help prevent intestinal parasites)
Lads Love (Helps with respiratory complaints and Anathelmintic or Insecticidal)


I do not recommend raw potato (including skin scraps) and onion/garlic family herbs as these have been reported to cause unusual egg flavours and odours. I have also been advised to avoid citris scraps, though I cannot recall now why.

I also recommend sprouting trays of barley or pot som clumping grass, like Rhodes, for the birds that cannot free range.

I have pots of herbs and grass covered in a mesh cage in my cages and I am currently in the process of planting a border of assorted herbs and grass on the outside of my pens so the birds can graze on what pokes through. I have he grass on the down hill side as it loves the high nitrogen run off where the herbs a little less tolerant.

I hope this helps people as I know I have struggled to find good info.

Good luck
Spiros

I've been researching this recently also, as we're creating new herb & veggies gardens at the same time as getting our chooks

Kale is another one that is good for Chickens and they apparently love it.........the best variety can be bought in seed form from www.edenseeds.com.au and it is the Chou Moellier variety.

There is another one through Eden Seeds called "Fat Hen" (Lamb's Quarters) which is an ancient herb used as a spinach. It's rich in Vitamins A and C apparently.

I think I've read that Amarinth is good also, but can't be sure.....

Regards
Catherine

apologies for accidental repeated posting

apologies for accidental repeated posting