One morning, whilst feeding the chickens their breakfast, Lacy pooped by my feet and the poop was wriggling and writhing. I’m not a scatologist, but I knew this wasn’t normal.

Worms = nasty!

But free ranging chickens get worms, so this isn’t the most interesting part of my story.

Interesting Part of My Story:

I have recently acquired a new chicken. She is a Giant White Jersey called Lady Leone – I’ll introduce her formally when I’ve managed to take photos. With the introduction of Lady Leone to my small flock, I decided to give my hens an ‘immune system boost’.

There had been no previous evidence of worms, my black sex links seemed healthy, were laying eggs and acting normally. I made them a herb-based health tonic purely as a preventative measure.

My concoction was rosemary, basil, cilantro, garlic and yoghurt – these herbs chosen simply because they were what I had in the greenhouse.

The very next day Lacy bottom-birthed four long white wriggling worms, an invading army of roundworms. I was so shocked that I didn’t even take a picture.

Right there and then, as the nasty things still squirmed by my feet, I became an instant convert to Hen-Health-by-Herbs:

Health Properties of Herbs:

Basil – antibacterial, mucus membrane health

Catnip – sedative, insecticide

Cilantro – antioxidant, fungicide, builds strong bones, high in Vitamin A for vision and Vitamin K for blood clotting

Dill – antioxidant, relaxant, respiratory health

Fennel -laying stimulant

Garlic – laying stimulant

Lavender – stress reliever, increases blood circulation, highly aromatic, insecticide

Lemon Balm – stress reliever, antibacterial, highly aromatic, rodent repellent

Marigold – laying stimulant

Marjoram – lay stimulant

Mint (all kinds) – insecticide and rodent repellent

Nasturtium – laying stimulant, antiseptic, antibiotic, insecticide, wormer

Oregano – combats coccidia, salmonella, infectious bronchitis, avian flu, blackhead and e-coli

Parsley – high in vitamins, aids in blood vessel development, laying stimulant

Peppermint – anti-parasitic, insecticide

Pineapple Sage – aids nervous system, highly aromatic

Rose Petals – highly aromatic, high in Vitamin C

Rosemary – pain relief, respiratory health, insecticide

Sage – antioxidant, anti-parasitic

Spearmint – antiseptic, insecticide, stimulates nerve, brain and blood functions

Tarragon – antioxidant

Thyme – respiratory health, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-parasitic

(I found this at www.grit.com)

I’ve read elsewhere that garlic is a good natural dewormer, so I’ve made that a mainstay of my health-tonic and I mix in any herbs I have at the time. This week they got a good dose of mint. The good thing is my hens love it, so I think garlic, herbs and yoghurt will continue to be a weekly treat.

Note: so far no more worm sightings, but I’m on a close lookout.