Anyone Know About These Natural Remdies? Anyone tried them? Any stories, warnings, or advice? I am considering. Thanks!
SOURCE: http://fowlfacts.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=ffanswerstoquestions&action=display&thread=948
Good Plants for your Chickens
Black wattle
Provides good shade, protein rich seeds can tolerate high levels of manure, can grow quite large, and so keep pruned back
Blackberry nightshade
Used to fill semi-shady zones under the tree canopy. It is not particular to soil types, self-seeds readily, full of vitamin rich fruit
Chickweed
A low sprawling, cold tolerant herb that likes moisture and shade, and a poultry favourite
Coast wattle
Low growing sprawling wattle, fast growing, pod seeds are high in protein
Comfrey
Herb grows to 1.5m only known vegetable source of vitamin B12. Protein rich, helps cure digestive disorders, may die down over winter and re sprout in spring. Will grow rapidly with dressings of fresh poultry manure
Fat hen
Is a weed, grows to 1m. Can also be known as a herb, seeds are eaten as a good food source
Feverfew
It grows to 90cm and can be used like its relative pyrethrum, although its only half the strength. Can be made into an insect spray, will become frost hardy and grown easily, tolerating heat, poor soil, draft and weeds. The plant will re-seed readily
Garlic
It has many applications. Regular addition (weekly or monthly) of finely chopped garlic to food or water is a good worm preventative. It stimulates digestive organs, relieves catarrh, and regularises liver and gall bladder. Treats intestinal infections, bacteria, benefits blood circulation, and heart action. It is also an excellent disinfectant
Ginger
The root of the ginger is an appetiser and stimulant, helps relieve stomach problems as a hot ginger drink. Eases cold symptoms and promotes perspiration
A piece of ginger purchased from the green grocer can be left to shoot and then planted in a sunny, frost-free position
Gotu kola
Also known as swamp pennywort, creeper for swampy places. Rejuvenating effects on the brain and body cells. By eating just two or three fresh leaves daily. A rich source of vitamins A, B, C, G, K magnesium, Asiatic and madecassic acids, plus the antibiotic asiaticoside.
It also contains an oily bitter tasting; volatile liquid called vellarin, and tannic acid
Kangaroo apple
Short lived native bush. Birds relish the fruit. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers well drained, good screening plant and self seeds readily
Dont plant too much, as it may tend to change the hormones of the birds, and strange things can happen, such as males sit on nests and stop fighting, females only have female chicks etc
Lucerne
Also called alfalfa, is a valuable source of green pick and protein, providing vitamins A, D, K, and E, plus riboflavin, pantothenic and nicotinic acid
It is tough perennial, lasting several years, dried and chaffed Lucerne can be fed to birds
Mirror bush
A common shrub, summer seed good for poultry forage
Nasturtium
This is a herb, poultry like it. Richly medicinal, strongly antiseptic, a vermifuge (de-wormer) and appetiser (especially the seeds). Nasturtiums are also good for the nerves and depression, and it repels insect pests
Neem tree
All parts of the tree have medicinal and insecticidal properties. It doesnt kill insects, it repels them. Fast growing, even in poor soil and dry sites. It prefers a frost-free position. Grow Neem trees from seed
Nettles
Stinging nettles are excellent for poultry, even if your not a fan of them. It is highly recommended that you grown some in a small area of your garden where your birds can peck at it
They are high in chlorophyll, iron, phosphorus, potassium, manganese, calcium, sulphur, silica, protein and vitamins A, C and D. and are also a preventative against worms and contagion
A combination of powdered seaweed, comfrey and nettles is a powerful laying stimulant that, can start even non-layers laying
When cut and withered, nettles lose the formic acid, which gives them their sting
Dry and powder them finely, and add them to food (this is good for humans too)
You can boil them for a few minutes to remove the sting and add them to cereal mash
Nettles boiled in Whey are fed to combat worms in poultry
Great activator in the compost heap, good companion plant for other herbs, mints and tomatoes
Quite an amazing plant
Oats
Can be made into a tonic drink. Just boil up as you would for barley water. The sprouts are full of vitamins and minerals and are much more digestible than raw whole oats
To sprout them, soak in warm water for a few hours. Wet them briefly on a daily basis. If they are kept on a piece of shade cloth or an onion bag it makes them easy to dip in water. When they sprout, spread them out and let them soak up some sunshine
Pigeon pea
It is a legume; that lives for around 9 years and grows to about 3m high, in a frost-free environment
A prolific seed bearer. Pods must be shaken or hit to make them drop, otherwise the parrots will eat the seeds. Direct seeding in spring is best. Choose a sunny well-drained location
Pigweed
It is an annual creeping herb. Eat the leaves raw or steamed. Seeds are good for the birds
Rue
It is a herb, that has both medicinal and insecticidal properties. It contains rutin, renowned for treating a host of diseases. Used on the skin to remove parasites. It is a good wormer and is highly antiseptic
Apply rue as a brew or a powder of dried leaves throughout feathers for lice. The herb is most potent when used fresh
Ever green shrub grows to 1 m high. Prefers alkaline soil and full sun
Some people are allergic to the rue oil in the leaves, so always wear gloves when picking it, and propagate by seed or division
Southernwood
This is a powerful insect repellent and is used externally for lice in the form of a powder or brew rubbed through feathers. It is also a worm expeller, antiseptic and tonic. Medicinally, it is used for stomach problems and fever, for coughs, mucous congestion and bronchial catarrh.
It is good to dry and strew on floors and is most powerful when leaves and flowers are picked just before opening. Fresh tops are used on weak brews
As an evergreen, likes full sun and dry conditions. Plants can be divided or woody stem cuttings taken in late winter or early spring
Stinking roger
It is a weed, that grows to 3m high and smells strongly when brushed against. Their leaves are an irritant. Deters flies, lice and mosquitoes. Fowl will eat the leaves. It can also be hung or strewn around as an insect repellent
Flowers and leaves (flowers are strongest) can be steeped in a pan of boiling water with the lid on and let stand until cold. The brew can be mixed 1:1 with pyrethrum solution to spray around the fowl house
This annual plant can be established during any frost-free period. It grows easily from seed
Tagasaste
Provides fowl with shade shelter and perches, year round green fodder, medicinally flowers in springtime (a great bird tonic). It produces large quantities of summer seed, high in protein and carbohydrates
Tansy
Another strewing herb, is also a worming and medicinal herb. It has potassium rich leaves that are valuable in the compost heap as activators; it also repels mice, fleas and ants. It grows up to 120cm. Tends to stay green all winter, and spreads by means of rhizomes
White cedar
Also known as Indian lilac, Persian lilac and Pride of India/China
White cedar closely related to the Neem tree, is used as a medicine or an insecticide. The leaves, flowers, root, bark or fruit are crushed and soaked in boiling water to cover. Leaves are insect and pest repellent, and are also used dried. The fruits are poisonous to pigs, sheep, goldfish and other species, but are devoured happily by rainforest pigeons and bats
Wormwood
Extremely bitter herb used internally for all worms and externally as an insecticide. An infusion of leaves is used as a wash for lice; leaves are placed in cupboards to eradicate moths in clothes.
Wormwood is also an antiseptic, a stimulant, a nervine and mental restorer, a stomachic, and appetiser and a liver tonic
However if too much is used internally it has the opposite effect and is poisonous
Not all of these plants are good for cats or dogs, some even humans will find they are allergic to, so be careful about what you decide to include in your chook forest garden
I would suggest you buy a book on gardening with information about these plants, you will need to buy a herb book also as some of the plants are only listed as herbs and not all gardening books have a full range of herbs in them
These web sites would be a good starting point to see the plants would actually suit your region and temps
http://www.all-natural.com/herbguid.htm
http://www.library.uiuc.edu/vex/toxic/comlist.htm
http://www.the-tree.org.uk/BritishTrees/TreeGallery/treegallery.htm
All of the above sites will give you really good information about loads of plants of you want to check on them in the future, I have gone onto each site to have a look and liked what I saw
Here is a web site that will list plants that are toxic to your animals---
http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/comlist.html
SOURCE: http://fowlfacts.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=ffanswerstoquestions&action=display&thread=948
Good Plants for your Chickens
Black wattle
Provides good shade, protein rich seeds can tolerate high levels of manure, can grow quite large, and so keep pruned back
Blackberry nightshade
Used to fill semi-shady zones under the tree canopy. It is not particular to soil types, self-seeds readily, full of vitamin rich fruit
Chickweed
A low sprawling, cold tolerant herb that likes moisture and shade, and a poultry favourite
Coast wattle
Low growing sprawling wattle, fast growing, pod seeds are high in protein
Comfrey
Herb grows to 1.5m only known vegetable source of vitamin B12. Protein rich, helps cure digestive disorders, may die down over winter and re sprout in spring. Will grow rapidly with dressings of fresh poultry manure
Fat hen
Is a weed, grows to 1m. Can also be known as a herb, seeds are eaten as a good food source
Feverfew
It grows to 90cm and can be used like its relative pyrethrum, although its only half the strength. Can be made into an insect spray, will become frost hardy and grown easily, tolerating heat, poor soil, draft and weeds. The plant will re-seed readily
Garlic
It has many applications. Regular addition (weekly or monthly) of finely chopped garlic to food or water is a good worm preventative. It stimulates digestive organs, relieves catarrh, and regularises liver and gall bladder. Treats intestinal infections, bacteria, benefits blood circulation, and heart action. It is also an excellent disinfectant
Ginger
The root of the ginger is an appetiser and stimulant, helps relieve stomach problems as a hot ginger drink. Eases cold symptoms and promotes perspiration
A piece of ginger purchased from the green grocer can be left to shoot and then planted in a sunny, frost-free position
Gotu kola
Also known as swamp pennywort, creeper for swampy places. Rejuvenating effects on the brain and body cells. By eating just two or three fresh leaves daily. A rich source of vitamins A, B, C, G, K magnesium, Asiatic and madecassic acids, plus the antibiotic asiaticoside.
It also contains an oily bitter tasting; volatile liquid called vellarin, and tannic acid
Kangaroo apple
Short lived native bush. Birds relish the fruit. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers well drained, good screening plant and self seeds readily
Dont plant too much, as it may tend to change the hormones of the birds, and strange things can happen, such as males sit on nests and stop fighting, females only have female chicks etc
Lucerne
Also called alfalfa, is a valuable source of green pick and protein, providing vitamins A, D, K, and E, plus riboflavin, pantothenic and nicotinic acid
It is tough perennial, lasting several years, dried and chaffed Lucerne can be fed to birds
Mirror bush
A common shrub, summer seed good for poultry forage
Nasturtium
This is a herb, poultry like it. Richly medicinal, strongly antiseptic, a vermifuge (de-wormer) and appetiser (especially the seeds). Nasturtiums are also good for the nerves and depression, and it repels insect pests
Neem tree
All parts of the tree have medicinal and insecticidal properties. It doesnt kill insects, it repels them. Fast growing, even in poor soil and dry sites. It prefers a frost-free position. Grow Neem trees from seed
Nettles
Stinging nettles are excellent for poultry, even if your not a fan of them. It is highly recommended that you grown some in a small area of your garden where your birds can peck at it
They are high in chlorophyll, iron, phosphorus, potassium, manganese, calcium, sulphur, silica, protein and vitamins A, C and D. and are also a preventative against worms and contagion
A combination of powdered seaweed, comfrey and nettles is a powerful laying stimulant that, can start even non-layers laying
When cut and withered, nettles lose the formic acid, which gives them their sting
Dry and powder them finely, and add them to food (this is good for humans too)
You can boil them for a few minutes to remove the sting and add them to cereal mash
Nettles boiled in Whey are fed to combat worms in poultry
Great activator in the compost heap, good companion plant for other herbs, mints and tomatoes
Quite an amazing plant
Oats
Can be made into a tonic drink. Just boil up as you would for barley water. The sprouts are full of vitamins and minerals and are much more digestible than raw whole oats
To sprout them, soak in warm water for a few hours. Wet them briefly on a daily basis. If they are kept on a piece of shade cloth or an onion bag it makes them easy to dip in water. When they sprout, spread them out and let them soak up some sunshine
Pigeon pea
It is a legume; that lives for around 9 years and grows to about 3m high, in a frost-free environment
A prolific seed bearer. Pods must be shaken or hit to make them drop, otherwise the parrots will eat the seeds. Direct seeding in spring is best. Choose a sunny well-drained location
Pigweed
It is an annual creeping herb. Eat the leaves raw or steamed. Seeds are good for the birds
Rue
It is a herb, that has both medicinal and insecticidal properties. It contains rutin, renowned for treating a host of diseases. Used on the skin to remove parasites. It is a good wormer and is highly antiseptic
Apply rue as a brew or a powder of dried leaves throughout feathers for lice. The herb is most potent when used fresh
Ever green shrub grows to 1 m high. Prefers alkaline soil and full sun
Some people are allergic to the rue oil in the leaves, so always wear gloves when picking it, and propagate by seed or division
Southernwood
This is a powerful insect repellent and is used externally for lice in the form of a powder or brew rubbed through feathers. It is also a worm expeller, antiseptic and tonic. Medicinally, it is used for stomach problems and fever, for coughs, mucous congestion and bronchial catarrh.
It is good to dry and strew on floors and is most powerful when leaves and flowers are picked just before opening. Fresh tops are used on weak brews
As an evergreen, likes full sun and dry conditions. Plants can be divided or woody stem cuttings taken in late winter or early spring
Stinking roger
It is a weed, that grows to 3m high and smells strongly when brushed against. Their leaves are an irritant. Deters flies, lice and mosquitoes. Fowl will eat the leaves. It can also be hung or strewn around as an insect repellent
Flowers and leaves (flowers are strongest) can be steeped in a pan of boiling water with the lid on and let stand until cold. The brew can be mixed 1:1 with pyrethrum solution to spray around the fowl house
This annual plant can be established during any frost-free period. It grows easily from seed
Tagasaste
Provides fowl with shade shelter and perches, year round green fodder, medicinally flowers in springtime (a great bird tonic). It produces large quantities of summer seed, high in protein and carbohydrates
Tansy
Another strewing herb, is also a worming and medicinal herb. It has potassium rich leaves that are valuable in the compost heap as activators; it also repels mice, fleas and ants. It grows up to 120cm. Tends to stay green all winter, and spreads by means of rhizomes
White cedar
Also known as Indian lilac, Persian lilac and Pride of India/China
White cedar closely related to the Neem tree, is used as a medicine or an insecticide. The leaves, flowers, root, bark or fruit are crushed and soaked in boiling water to cover. Leaves are insect and pest repellent, and are also used dried. The fruits are poisonous to pigs, sheep, goldfish and other species, but are devoured happily by rainforest pigeons and bats
Wormwood
Extremely bitter herb used internally for all worms and externally as an insecticide. An infusion of leaves is used as a wash for lice; leaves are placed in cupboards to eradicate moths in clothes.
Wormwood is also an antiseptic, a stimulant, a nervine and mental restorer, a stomachic, and appetiser and a liver tonic
However if too much is used internally it has the opposite effect and is poisonous
Not all of these plants are good for cats or dogs, some even humans will find they are allergic to, so be careful about what you decide to include in your chook forest garden
I would suggest you buy a book on gardening with information about these plants, you will need to buy a herb book also as some of the plants are only listed as herbs and not all gardening books have a full range of herbs in them
These web sites would be a good starting point to see the plants would actually suit your region and temps
http://www.all-natural.com/herbguid.htm
http://www.library.uiuc.edu/vex/toxic/comlist.htm
http://www.the-tree.org.uk/BritishTrees/TreeGallery/treegallery.htm
All of the above sites will give you really good information about loads of plants of you want to check on them in the future, I have gone onto each site to have a look and liked what I saw
Here is a web site that will list plants that are toxic to your animals---
http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/comlist.html
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