Chickens go thru a process every year called molting- this is when they lose all their old raggedy looking feathers and new ones grow back in. This is a natural, good process that happens in healthy adult birds, every year. Every chicken goes thru their own individual molting pattern. It is all very awkward looking.
This process is also a little draining on the chickens system so I make sure to supplement their diet with higher protein foods once I notice the girls going into molt. Why? Because they use a lot of protein to help their feathers grow back in.
One of those high protein foods?
Scrambled eggs. With lots of yummy herbs in them to help with general flock health.
For our 16 girls I make up a 18 pack of eggs once a week in the height of molt as it really packs the protein in, and cooking them keeps the girls from thinking raw eggs are part of their diet.
So, the herbs I use?
- Oregano – Anti-parasitic, antibiotic and anti-fungal properties
- Garlic – Boosts immunity, helps circulation systems and has anti-fungal properties
- Thyme – Anti-parasitic, antibiotic and anti-fungal properties along with being a antioxidant and good for respiratory health in general
- Basil – High in protein, it help feathers grow in and has antibacterial properties as well as promoting good mucous membrane health.
- Cilantro – Good for general health and promotes bone growth
- Parsley – High in protein, it helps promote good feather growth, and blood vessel development and circulation.
- Sage – Anti-parasitic that promotes general health while being an antioxidant.
There are more herbs you can feed your chickens, but these are the ones I had handy in my spice cabinet. Eventually I’d like to have a herb garden for the chickens to just wander thru and eat at will, but that’s another blog, altogether, sometime in the (probably) far away future.
Anyway, the chickens love this, it helps them get thru their feather lose and regrowth and it takes care of the older eggs that we don’t pickle.
Also, MrGillis says these smell amazing and he would eat them if I would let him.
As a final note – it is important to understand that a balanced diet of high quality layer feed should be the majority (85-90%) of what your adult chickens eat for optimal health. Please do not feed your chickens ONLY food scraps and treats, as obesity is the leading cause of chicken health problems (including bumblefoot, liver failure, and a whole bunch more) in the US.
Until next time, have a wicked good day!
Gillis Gardens, LLC 