People frequently ask me how I’ve kept my flock so healthy this time around. Let me tell you it wasn’t always this easy!
In last week’s blog, I mentioned how I've tried raising chickens in the past and disease and poor health ravaged my flock both times. But this time around, it's like POOF, healthy chickens! The only thing I did different with this flock was I started using oregano essential oil products.
My Q& A with Dr. Bob Stock
I've been determined to find out what makes these products so different. Now you know that I'm by no means a “chicken expert”. However, I've learned a lot about chicken health from the folks at Strong Animals Chicken Essentials.
I had the privilege of sitting down with their expert, Dr. Stock, to answer some of my questions on oregano essential oils. And believe me, with a Ph.D. in Poultry Nutrition from Ohio State University, this guy, is in fact, a real life chicken expert. Haha!
Here’s the questions I asked Dr. Stock and what he had to say:
What are the benefits of using oregano essential oils for chickens?
A: Oregano essential oils, when used correctly, have powerful antibacterial, antioxidant and antiviral properties that naturally keep your chickens healthy. These properties can help immune function and egg-shell quality for backyard chickens owners.
Are all oregano essential oils the same?
A: Essential oils are not all the same. In fact, oils can actually vary widely in active ingredients and strength. Several factors need to be considered when using essential oils including plant variety, plant species, geographic location the oils are grown in, the part of the plant that is used, the season and harvest method, and even the way the oil is extracted from the plant. There's truly an art and a science that goes into using these natural approaches. In some cases, if these factors are not considered, oil blends are inconsistent and might work one time but not the next. This is why it’s important to be careful when buying oils from just anyone.
Can I just buy oregano essential oils in bulk?
A: My caution to buying oils in bulk goes back to the fact that not all oils are the same. Without proper product development, essential oils can actually be harmful to chickens. Worst case, you could over-use them and without knowing the active ingredients, they can be potent to the digestive system of your chickens. Especially chicks. The safest way to use essential oils in chickens is to let the experts do it for you.
So why are Strong Animals essential oils products safe?
A: Thankfully, Strong Animals is a brand of Ralco. Ralco was one of the first companies to introduce essential oil products for chickens almost 20 years ago. Today, Ralco has a patented approach to product development that's backed by years of research to ensure the safest products possible for your chickens.
Do all Strong Animals products include oregano essential oils?
With the exception of Coop Recuperate, all Strong Animals Chicken Essential products contain premium, safe oregano essential oils for all of your backyard chicken needs. Coop Recuperate contains lemongrass and eucalyptus essential oils.
After my discussion with Dr. Stock, it finally made sense to me why my flock is SO much healthier this time. With premium oregano essential oils, Strong Animals products have properties that are unmatched and safe to use. I’m so thankful that these products made raising chickens fun again for me and my family.
Here’s a few of my favorite Strong Animals products with oregano essential oils in them:
Chicken E-lixir - Daily Vitamin for Chickens
Chicken E-lixir is added to drinking water as a daily vitamin for keeping chickens healthy by promoting digestive health. For everyday use, it contains a unique blend of organic oregano essential oil, prebiotics, calcium, vitamins D & E and electrolytes.
Flock Fixer - Hydrate & Restore Health During Times of Challenge
You can’t always see it, but your flock will experience a weakened immune system during times of challenge. Flock Fixer is a vitamin-rich additive that helps hydrate, restore vital nutrients and balance digestive health.
Golden Graze - For Quality Eggs & Golden Yolks
Golden Graze is a daily chicken snack that promotes quality eggs with golden yolks and Omega-3 fatty acids. It contains oregano essential oils, multi-grains, cracked corn, oyster shells, marigold petals and flaxseed. Treat your hens to this healthy snack and enjoy eggsellent eggs.