What to feed chickens to protect them from ticks? - briefly
Adding garlic, apple cider vinegar, and tick‑repellent herbs such as oregano, rosemary, and thyme to a balanced poultry diet reduces tick infestation. Regular inclusion of these ingredients alongside standard feed strengthens the birds’ natural resistance.
What to feed chickens to protect them from ticks? - in detail
Feeding chickens a diet that discourages tick attachment and supports the bird’s immune system requires a combination of high‑quality protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and specific botanical additives.
Protein sources such as soybean meal, fish meal, or insect‑based meals provide the amino acids needed for strong feather growth and skin integrity. Healthy feathers and skin create a physical barrier that makes it harder for ticks to embed themselves.
Omega‑3 and omega‑6 fatty acids, found in flaxseed, chia seeds, and cold‑water fish oil, enhance the inflammatory response and reduce the likelihood of severe tick‑borne lesions. Include 1–2 % of these oils in the ration, mixing them thoroughly with the mash or pellets.
Vitamins A, D3, and E act as antioxidants and support skin health. Vitamin A can be supplied through carrots, sweet potatoes, or a commercial premix; vitamin D3 through exposure to sunlight or fortified feed; vitamin E through wheat germ or a dedicated supplement. Maintain levels at the manufacturer’s recommended daily allowance.
Minerals such as zinc, copper, and selenium are crucial for immune function. A balanced mineral premix should contain at least 80 ppm zinc, 10 ppm copper, and 0.3 ppm selenium. These trace elements help the bird resist parasitic infections.
Botanical additives with acaricidal or repellent properties can be incorporated into the feed:
- Garlic powder – 0.5 % of the total feed; contains allicin, which deters ticks.
- Neem leaf meal – 1–2 % inclusion; provides azadirachtin, a natural insect growth regulator.
- Pyrethrum seed extract – 0.2 % of the mix; offers rapid knock‑down of attached ticks.
- Oregano oil – 0.1 % of the feed; rich in carvacrol, which repels ectoparasites.
- Turmeric (curcumin) – 0.5 % of the ration; anti‑inflammatory and may reduce tick feeding success.
Probiotic cultures (Lactobacillus spp. or Bacillus subtilis) improve gut health, indirectly strengthening systemic immunity. Add 1 × 10⁸ CFU per kilogram of feed.
Provisions for clean water enriched with electrolytes and a small amount of apple cider vinegar (1 ml per liter) help maintain optimal pH and discourage tick survival on the bird’s body.
Regular rotation of feed formulations prevents parasites from adapting to a static diet. Cycle the botanical additives every 4–6 weeks, ensuring the overall nutrient profile remains consistent.
In practice, a complete feed formula might look like this (per 100 kg of mash):
- 70 kg corn or wheat
- 15 kg soybean meal
- 5 kg fish meal or insect meal
- 3 kg flaxseed meal
- 2 kg wheat germ (vitamin E source)
- 2 kg mineral‑vitamin premix (including zinc, copper, selenium, vitamins A, D3)
- 0.5 kg garlic powder
- 1 kg neem leaf meal
- 0.2 kg pyrethrum seed extract
- 0.1 kg oregano oil
- 0.5 kg turmeric powder
- 0.3 kg probiotic blend
Providing this balanced, enriched diet, coupled with regular pasture management and hygiene, creates an environment where ticks are less likely to thrive and chickens retain robust resistance to parasitic infestation.