If you’ve ever aspired to raise your homestead flock naturally, then I am sure you have contemplated all the variety of useful ways you can use herbs on the homestead for your flock. However, there are several different types of herbs for the homestead flock. Each type of herb has its specialty and will work the most effectively when used under the proper circumstances. To make things even more confusing, different herbs can be turned into several different types depending on how you want to use the herb! But don’t worry, I tried to simplify things as much as possible and outline just how you can use the different types of herbs to keep your homestead flock healthy…naturally!
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Well… why not use herbs? You more than likely already have herbs growing in your homestead garden (no matter how big or small the garden is) so it only makes sense that both you and your flock can benefit from those herbs! Medicinal plants have been used for thousands of years by people groups all over the world. Plants, specifically herbs, have amazing healing powers, and as a homesteader, I feel like I just dapple in all the wonderful possibilities that herbs provide!
Using herbs with your homestead flock should be based off of some basic herbal principles and common sense. As you experiment with herbs and your flock, you will learn which herbs help you achieve the best health in your flock. Knowing about the different types of herbs and how to best use them will further broaden your herbal knowledge and help you use herbs to their best potential.
Fresh herbs are herbs that you pick or trim straight from your garden! These are fresh-off-the-plant trimmings that are nutrient dense and pack a powerful punch as far as medicinal benefits go!
If you are between growing seasons and really need to get some fresh herbs, they are often sold at health food markets. However, even though they are marketed as fresh herbs, they aren’t as fresh as homegrown herbs. They had to be in the packing for at least a few days!
Basically, any herb you grow in your homestead garden is an example of a fresh herb! Here are some popular herbs to grow for chickens:
What about adding fresh herbs to your flock’s daily feed? I don’t recommend it for several reasons. For one, herbs that are chopped often get lost or sifted to the bottom and then ditched out by the hens. For two, I like to provide herbs either free-choice or no-choice. Meaning, the flock can avoid the chopped herbs on their treats if they want to, but they can’t avoid the herbal infused water that I provide. Free-choice or with a purpose is how I like to use fresh herbs with my flock.
Dried herbs are the dried version of any fresh herb. Herbs in this form are more concentrated. Some herbs are more potent when they are dried while others are best used when they are fresh. Just about any herb can be dried, which makes it easier for preserving herbs for use during the non-growing season.
Dried herbs are less appealing to chickens since they lack the color and fat, juicy appeal of a fresh herb leaf. However, dried herbs do come in handy for the homestead flock!
Some herbs are actually easier to use when they have been dried. Here are a few herbs that are especially helpful for the homestead flock when they are in their dried form:
Again, I don’t often add dried herbs to my flock’s daily feed because the herbs would get lost and beaked out before the hens actually consider consuming the dried particles. Plus, dried herbs are typically not too enticing for chickens to consume.
Powdered herbs are herbs that come in a powder form. Often times the roots, bark, or woody stems of herbs are dried and turned into a powder to make them easier to use and more palatable. Herbs in their powder form are also very concentrated, so it requires less herb powder to get amazing benefits than if you were to use the fresh version of the herb.
Herb powders are often not too appealing for a chicken to freely consume, however, they are great for mixing up specific concoctions or using for specific medicinal purposes.
Some powdered herbs we may not even think of as herbs, but they are! Here is a list of some common herb powders that I keep stocked on the homestead:
Edible herbs may seem like the same thing as fresh herbs, and technically they are. However, when I think of edible herbs I tend to think of berries, fruits, or flowers from an herb plant. Edible herbs can provide some amazing benefits for the homestead flock!
Since edible herbs tend to look more appealing, they are often readily consumed by the flock and you may even have to limit how much of an edible herb your flock consumes at one time!
Most culinary herbs can be considered edible herbs since they are safe for internal consumption, however, there are also some fruits, berries, and flowers that could be considered edible herbs! Here’s a quick list:
Don’t let the words ‘infusion’ and ‘decoction’ scare you! These are basically teas that you can make with herbs. Decoctions and infusions are water based herbal supplements that you can give to the homestead flock. These supplements often provide the most benefits when your flock consumes them within 12 hours after you prepare them.
A decoction is made from herbs that are boiled down in water. The boiling helps the herbs release all their beneficial properties. Often times the roots, bark, dried berries, or woody stems of herbs are used to make decoctions.
An infusion is made from steeping herbs in boiling water for a certain period of time. The herbs used to make infusions are often more fragile and less dense, such as the leaves and flowers of herbs. Steeping them for a short period of time (usually 5-10 minutes) helps extract all the beneficial oils and nutrients from the herbs.
Herbal ointments, salves and poultices come in handy for treating a variety of external issues that the homestead flock can experience. From cuts and scraps to frostbite or scaly leg mites, herbal ointments, salves, and poultices provide a natural way for you to administer first aid to your chickens!
Most salves are made using beeswax and herbal infused oils. Salves work great for applying to cuts, scraps, bruises, and frostbite. You can also use salves to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
Herbal ointments are made using oils that remain solid at room temperature, like coconut oil. Herbal infused oils and essential oils are used to provide the healing benefits. There are many kinds of ointments you can make for the homestead flock including anti-bacterial ointment, anti-inflammatory ointment, and dry skin ointment.
An herbal poultice is simply a thick herbal paste that can be applied to skin or injury. Both fresh or dried herbs can be used to make a poultice.
Herbal sprays are great to have on hand for raising the homestead flock naturally! Sprays are easy to make using natural ingredients. I love making my own herbal sprays at home instead of buying chemical-based sprays.
Tonics and tinctures are some of my favorite herbal remedies to use for medicinal and healing purposes! These supplements are created to provide maximum benefits for a specific purpose. Herbal tonics and tinctures can be used as stand-alone natural medicines that are powerful and potent.
Herbal tinctures are made by extracting all of the beneficial properties from an herb by macerating it in alcohol. This extraction process usually takes about 4-6 weeks for a strong tincture to be made. Herbal tinctures should be stored in dark-colored glass bottles in a cool, place. Stored under those conditions, tinctures will last for several years!
A tonic is kind of like the bridge between a tincture and decoction. A tonic is created by combining carefully selected herbs and medicinal plants to create a boiled down mixture that provides maximum benefits. There is no alcohol involved, however, other base ingredients give the tonic some sustenance rather than just water.
Knowing about the different types of herbs and how you can best use them for your homestead flock is a great way to raise your chickens naturally! These different types of herbs for the homestead flock provide you with endless options for treating poultry ailments, maintaining flock health, preventing disease, and repelling pests. From fresh herbs straight from your homestead garden to herbal tonics and tinctures, using each herb to it’s best potential will provide the healthiest and safest results for your homestead flock! Good herbal practices on the homestead will keep your flock healthy and productive…naturally!
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by Alexa
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