Hi I'm Angelique from New Zealand

AngeliqueLamb

In the Brooder
Jun 10, 2025
5
30
39
I am doing some research and found this site, yaaa. I am hoping that I can find the info I need. I have been researching about natural remedies for respiratory diseases in chickens. Its pretty scary info out there and I haven't found much natural remedies available in NZ. I dont know about anyone else but I am not able to afford to take my chickens to see a vet each time they get sick as it is very expensive. I also have 7 other rescue pussycats of my own plus 6 more fosters I am currently looking after!

I have 5 Hens, I have one Bardrock, plus Orpingtons. They are the first flock I had when I was on a farm. The flock quickly grew and my son took it all over. At the end of our lease we sold/gave away most chickens apart from these I have brought home with me. I only have a temp set up for them atm and am wanting to build a proper coop as the winter has set in here in NZ now.

With the cold snap I have noticed one of my hens is breathing heavily and I am quite worried about her. She is one of the older chickens (approx. 4 years old) and has been my best layer for many years. Her name is Madam Butterfly :) My son believes that they already have had respiratory disease back at the farm so they are susceptible to get it again. I am hoping I can get more info here on what natural remedies and herbs I can give her. I have heard Oregano is a very good natural antibiotic, plus hot chillies and garlic. Does anyone have a recipe or suggestion how to administer this and in what form? I.e powder or oil? Thanks so much in advance :) Cheers Angelique
 
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Hiya, Angelique, and welcome to BYC! :frow

A recent study at Georgia State University suggests that black cumin seed and kefir are beneficial to chickens in building immunity. That article link is full of hard-to-understand terms; this one is easier to read. I'm not sure that'll help much if they're already sick.

I would put them on a vitamin regimen to help them fight whatever they've got. Sometimes chickens can just beat it themselves. I'm not sure if you have these vitamin additives there, but we use Poultry Cell or Nutri-Drench.

Be very careful with the oregano oils as it comes as either pure or an essential oil. One place I've read for the oil was one drop per gallon of water. Don't quote me, just be sure to figure out which one you've got and dosage. Maybe it'd be safer to just use some flakes.

We're glad you're here!
 
Hiya, Angelique, and welcome to BYC! :frow

A recent study at Georgia State University suggests that black cumin seed and kefir are beneficial to chickens in building immunity. That article link is full of hard-to-understand terms; this one is easier to read. I'm not sure that'll help much if they're already sick.

I would put them on a vitamin regimen to help them fight whatever they've got. Sometimes chickens can just beat it themselves. I'm not sure if you have these vitamin additives there, but we use Poultry Cell or Nutri-Drench.

Be very careful with the oregano oils as it comes as either pure or an essential oil. One place I've read for the oil was one drop per gallon of water. Don't quote me, just be sure to figure out which one you've got and dosage. Maybe it'd be safer to just use some flakes.

We're glad you're here!
Thank you so much, this is very helpful :) Madame butterfly seems to be better this morning and the weather has got warmer and we have some sun. I am so glad, I think we have a fighting chance she will recovery with some TLC. I will definitely look up those vitamins and cumin seed. Thank you soo much :)
 

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