Essential Oils

[lifthiminsong]

Mixing/diluting with water is not to truly "mix" the products, rather to disperse them evenly. "Mixing" them before use simply "carries" the EOs up (EOs are made up of minute molecules) for even dispersion.
I typically also add olive oil to my water and EO mixture for the hens to drink. When cleaning, I simply mix EOs with water as the "carrier" of the EOs.

 

[Brahma Annie]

Thank you lifthiminsong!

 

[KageChick]

I read a fascinating article on the NY Times about oregano & cinnamon bark oil being used as a substitute by a farmer getting away from pumping antibiotics into his chicken farm. I blogged about and the link to that article can be found on my site. You should always be careful administering oils to animals & people. But he is clear that he has tried many other things and this has worked to kill bacteria in his birds.

http://www.essentiallymomma.com/chi...namon-essential-oils-to-keep-chickens-healthy

 

[thylton48]

I am new to chickens and have never thought of essenial oils. .Don't know if this helps but, when I was growing up in south Louisiana all the old cajuns would put wax myrtle (which grows wild here) branches in there chicken coops to control insects. There is something in wax myrtle that animals don't like because even goats will not eat it.

 

[chickiechick72]

Question for the group: today I found bunches of ants inside my chickens' coop. So I pulled out the majority of the litter and put some fresh cage liner paper down and put some drops of peppermint oil on it. Then I put fresh straw in the coop and misted some diluted peppermint oil on the inside walls of the coop. I took the nesting box door off and left the front door open all day. After probably 7+ hours of airing out, my chickens put themselves to bed. I checked on them when I locked them up, but now I'm worried if the aroma is too strong for them? They seemed happy enough, and the coop really smells beautiful. I'm worried though if they will be sick in the morning? Will they walk out into their pen at night if the peppermint is too strong?

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I have no idea if peppermint oil will harm your poultry. But do remember that when it comes to odors that chickens are birds and that all birds that I am aware of have a low tolerance for polluted air. If this wasn't so then old time miners would not have carried canneries with them into the mine shafts to warn the workers of bad air.

 

[BBrady]

I have no idea if peppermint oil will harm your poultry. But do remember that when it comes to odors that chickens are birds and that all birds that I am aware of have a low tolerance for polluted air. If this wasn't so then old time miners would not have carried canneries with them into the mine shafts to warn the workers of bad air.

I think you could probably be nicer about your comments in this thread.

I am pretty sure that the purpose of the canaries in the mines was to die first if there was too much carbon monoxide or other gas that was odorless and otherwise undetectable by the miners, who would of course not die unless there were larger amounts of the gas, but they would know it was time to get out if the canary was dead. the bird was an early warning system for colorless odorless dangerous gases. essential oils being highly pungent because they are concentrated is another matter entirely. granted birds are more sensitive and more small than people and can tolerate less of both oils and gases before getting into trouble.

also, if you are not familiar with the thread topic, essential oils, let alone essential oil use with pests and birds, you don't have an obligation to post less than useful comments. essential oils are commonly diluted by being added in small amounts of water or isopropyl alcohol, as well as a wide range of other carrier oils like jojoba, coconut oil, safflower oil, olive oil even. not to mention that this is not the first or only thread on essential oils.
if you havent used essential oils for pest control with your flock, what do you use? have you ever had pest problems? what type of bedding or building material or climate might contribute to having more or less pest problem? I bet you have a lot of great information on those topics.

 

[chickiechick72]

Thanks for your replies!
My chickens seem fully happy and healthy this morning. They are energetic and hungry and normal. I'm so glad this worked out Ok. I have tried researching for info on essential oils and animals, but there is not much useful info out there. Most s anything I can find is too vague.
Thanks, though for your interest and comments!

 

[chickiechick72]

Peppermint oil does not equal "polluted air". There are many benefits to breathing aromatic oils, not the same as breathing synthetic and petrochemicals in the air. I was only concerned about the tolerance a chicken's respiratory system may have to it in a confined space. But it seems sufficiently aired out and is not a strong odor anymore.

 

[aart]

Quote: George was just speaking his mind and giving his opinion, I don't see any unkindness in his statement.
Maybe the canary wasn't a totally apt analogy...but it does bring a valid point of the sensitivities of avian respiratory systems.

Cedar shavings can be toxic to chicks and chickens because of the aeration of their 'essential oils'.