Providing your flock with natural cooling herbs during hot weather not only will help to lower their core body temperature, but it is also healthy for their organs and physical well-being. The 5 best cooling herbs for chickens are:
Cooling Herbs for Chickens Beat the HEAT!
- INGREDIENTS: PEPPERMINT, HIBISCUS, LEMON BALM, CHAMOMILE, ROSE PETALS/BUDS
- Helps to lower chicken core body temperature.
- Improves Chicken Health and Well Being
- Releases muscle tension.
- Helps to calm chicken during stressful events(such as excessive heat).
- Peppermint
- Hibiscus
- Lemon Balm
- Chamomile
- Rose Petals/Buds
Chickens cannot sweat and are prone to overheating. During extreme heat, if they are not able to cool themselves down, they can suffer from heat stress which if left untreated can lead to stroke and even death.
Signs of Heat Stress in Chickens
| SIGNS OF HEAT STRESS IN CHICKENS |
|---|
| PANTING (MOUTH OPEN) |
| WINGS HELD AWAY FROM BODY |
| LETHARGY |
| EATING LESS |
| DRINKING MORE |
| PALE COMB AND WATTLE |
| LESS PECKING & SCRATCHING THE GROUND |
| DECREASE EGG PRODUCTION |
| DIARRHEA |
5 Best Ways to Serve Cooling Herbs to Chickens
- Add cooling herbs to your chickens water.
- Add cooling herbs to your chickens feed.
- Scatter cooling herbs in your hens nesting boxes.
- Scatter cooling herbs into common dust bathing areas.
- Grow cooling herbs around the perimeter of your chicken coop.
5 Best Cooling Herbs for Chickens
Cooling Herbs for Chickens Beat the HEAT!
- INGREDIENTS: PEPPERMINT, HIBISCUS, LEMON BALM, CHAMOMILE, ROSE PETALS/BUDS
- Helps to lower chicken core body temperature.
- Improves Chicken Health and Well Being
- Releases muscle tension.
- Helps to calm chicken during stressful events(such as excessive heat).
1. Peppermint
Peppermint does indirectly help to lower your chickens body temperature and is on the top of the list for herbs that help to cool your flock during extreme heat.
| COMMON SYMPTOMS OF HEAT STRESS IN CHICKENS | EFFECT OF PEPPERMINT ON CHICKENS |
|---|---|
| MUSCLE CRAMPING | HELPS TO DECREASE MUSCLE SPASMS |
| DIARRHEA | HELPS TO RELIEVE STOMACH CRAMPING AND GAS, AIDS IN DIGESTION |
| STRESS | RELAXING & CALMING EFFECT |
You can use it either as a dried or fresh herb or grow it directly in your garden and scatter some fresh herbs into your hens nesting box.
It can be added directly to your chickens water or chicken feed. If adding it to your flocks water, always provide additional water without the added herbs.
2. Hibiscus
Hibiscus also is an excellent herb to help lower your chickens’ core body temperature.
| HYDRATES AND CLEANSES DIGESTIVE TRACT |
| FLUSHES MUCUS FROM DIGESTIVE SYSTEM WHERE HEAT IS TRAPPED |
| CONTAINS FLAVONOIDS AND PROANTHOCYANIDINS, WHICH HELP TO REDUCE FEVER. |
| REDUCES MUSCLE SPASMS |
| REDUCES PAIN |
3. Lemon Balm
| HELPS TO RELAX MUSCLES |
| REDUCES ANXIETY |
| HELPS TO DECREASE INFLAMMATION (RELEASING HEAT) |
| HELPS TO CALM DURING STRESSFUL EVENTS(HEAT) |
4. Chamomile
| RELIEVES STRESS |
| RELIEVES ANXIETY |
| CALMING |
| REDUCES PAIN |
| SLEEP AID |
5. Rose Petals/Buds
| SOOTHES & CALMS THE HEART |
| REDUCES STRESS & ANXIETY |
Cooling Herbs for Chickens Beat the HEAT!
- INGREDIENTS: PEPPERMINT, HIBISCUS, LEMON BALM, CHAMOMILE, ROSE PETALS/BUDS
- Helps to lower chicken core body temperature.
- Improves Chicken Health and Well Being
- Releases muscle tension.
- Helps to calm chicken during stressful events(such as excessive heat).
