Anyone Adding Dried Herbs & Spices to Chicken's Feed?

Spangled said:

pdirt said:

 
I'm curious, what were the supposed general "negative consequences" of using the tumeric, cinnamon and cayenne? Was it using all 3 of those herbs in those quantities they said had negative consequences, or was it something different? I know it was 5 years ago, but perhaps you have a better memory than I do!

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That was a typing error.  It was supposed to be "withOUT supposedly negative consequences."  Sorry for the confusion.

Personally I think a larger amount of dried, powdered tumeric, cinnamon, and cayenne can be used, but those studies (from years ago) indicated those amounts were the upper limits for inclusion in dry feed.  But the studies did claim that a difference was made in chicken health with only that small amount, which is good news by way of thinking.

Additionally my layers get hot/mild pepper tops/stems and seeds often in addition to the dry powder in their feed about every other day--the most is probably the remains of about 8 peppers for about 20 chickens.  I have never detected flavor issues.  I have no way to prove that anything I am feeding my chickens is beneficial ... other than they act like my idea of what chicken do ... lay eggs, scratch the ground, grow feathers, roost at night, eat, etc.

I will post that article about green tea and worms in the ileum if I ever come across it again.  It bothers me that I lost my copy of it because it's pretty amazing info.  I hope I'm not remembering it incorrectly!

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Ah, yes, those darned typos! Thanks for the clarification.

If you ferment any of your feed, turmeric in particular is more beneficial fermented. Fermentation helps make the antioxidants in turmeric more bio available, so you could use less of it. How much less, I'm not sure. I suspect fermented cinnamon and cayenne would be more beneficial as well, though I don't know for sure. Fermentation seems to make just about everything better.

Hi I don't know anything about adding herbs but would like to follow this thread to see what tips people have. I know many people have added different herbs to bedding but I don't know about food.

I was wondering if any one has used dried herbs from the grocery store. The ones in the bottles. They are so inexpensive so i thought it could be ok just want to get everyone's thoughts.
Thanks

At what age do your chickens need to be before you start adding herbs to their diet?

thailand said:

I'm wanting to supplement my chicken's feed with some natural antibiotics, healthy herbs and spices. Is anyone else doing this? Would love some advice please on amounts per kilo of food. The herbs and spices I'm particularly looking at, at the moment, are dried oregano (can't afford the oil) and cinnamon.

Looking forward to connecting with others going down this road....

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I make a mix,
I get it from the bins at the grocery store!
Dried oregano
Dried Rosemary
Dryed Basil
Fennel seeds
Flax seeds
Chia seeds
Chilie flakes
And I add there grit and there calcium to it! And I have a small bowl near there feed and I fill it every 3 to 4 days.
I’ll give mine fresh cilantro and Parsley when I find it cheap.
I have a pomegranate tree so they were getting pomegranate seeds every day for a while.
I got my chicken when they were one day old. June 28, one started laying last month. And another one started laying today. And one chicken we homed for someone. Well we got here over 2 months ago and we were told she stopped laying after summer. We she started laying 3 weeks ago.
I really feel it’s alll the spices and herbs and fresh veggies I give them. They get there feed every day and some little big of scratch. I’ll give them a different veggie every day. Cucumber, tomatoes, cilantro, parsley, , red cabbage, romaine lettuce or red leaf lettuce.
Good luck!
I’m so excited my Olive egger layed her first egg today! Oh and I leave a fake egg in there nesting box. I think my chickens are Happy! That has to be why there are laying in the winter! My friends chickens have all stopped lay and she would like some of my mix. In hopes it will help her girls lay.

thailand said:

I'm wanting to supplement my chicken's feed with some natural antibiotics, healthy herbs and spices. Is anyone else doing this? Would love some advice please on amounts per kilo of food. The herbs and spices I'm particularly looking at, at the moment, are dried oregano (can't afford the oil) and cinnamon.

Looking forward to connecting with others going down this road....

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In winter I add a little cayenne pepper sprinkled into their water. Helps keep them warm. And all year round I use just a cap of acv apple cider vinegar, as natural antibiotics. 4 years into this and it's been very helpful. =

LOL when I first saw this I thought it said Dried herbs and Sausages!