Oregano for Chickens: A Natural Antibiotic

There are so many benefits to giving oregano for chickens that, if I could only pick one herb to grow and give my chickens, that would be it. Even poultry giant Perdue gives their flocks oregano in place of commercial antibiotics.

Giving your chickens oregano can help boost their immune system, control the growth of bacteria, help chickens gain weight, improve the digestibility of nutrients, and much more. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to transform your flock’s health…especially if you grow the oregano yourself!

The Greenest Acre is reader-supported. When you purchase anything through our site, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Oregano for Chickens Benefits: What Science Says…

I’ve been researching herbs for years, and I can tell you firsthand that often, there’s very little science to back up the claims that herbalists and natural practitioners have made for hundreds of years.

We know herbs can work incredibly well for a dizzying array of health problems and illnesses. It’s just that researchers haven’t taken the time to study these herbs in a laboratory setting.

Fortunately, oregano is one of the few herbs that has been studied widely for its antibacterial properties. And friends, the research is behind us on this one. If you like diving headfirst into medical journals (surely I’m not the only one?), come with me and we’ll take a look at some of these studies.

Antibacterial Powerhouse

In a 2009 study published in the Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, researchers found the infused and oil forms of oregano were effective against all the bacterial forms the researchers tested. The oregano affected all the different bacteria tested, some more than others. The decoction of oregano (making an oregano “tea” with hot water”) was less effective.

It’s these antibacterial properties that make oregano a powerful natural treatment for e. Coli, Salmonella, and much more.

Immune Booster

A 2016 study in the Journal of Applied Animal Research found that chicken groups supplemented with oregano oil had a greater immune response than the control groups.

Weight Gain

A 2010 study published in British Poultry Science found that broilers fed oregano oil had significantly higher weight gain than chickens not given the oregano.

Researchers speculate that oregano helps chickens obtain more nutrients from their food which, in turn, leads to greater weight gain.

Anti-parasitic

In a study cited by the Institute of Food Technologists, researchers discovered that oregano oil has anti-parasitic properties. That is, is reduced the infectivity of the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium parvum, which commonly infects children.

That protozoa doesn’t have much to do with chickens. However, want to know one protozoa that does? Those from the genus Eimeria, which cause coccidiosis. And, that is a concern for backyard chicken keepers, because cocci is fairly common.

This means that keeping your flock on oregano, especially when you get baby chicks, could help prevent cocci infections. Even Poultry DVM backs this up. So it can be very effective.

What Is Oregano’s Secret Weapon?

Oregano contains the chemical carvacrol, which is also found in thyme, wild bergamot, and other plants. It’s this chemical that makes oregano such a powerful ally when it comes to our health.

According to a 2021 study published in Frontiers of Plant Science, “The in vitro and in vivo studies [of carvacrol] have shown multiple pharmacological properties such as anticancer, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, vasorelaxant, hepatoprotective, and spasmolytic.”

In addition, a 2019 study in Phytotherapy Research states that carvacrol is particularly effective against food-borne pathogens like e. Coli and Salmonella. And I know this to be true. We take oregano oil the moment we suspect we’re coming down with food poisoning, and it saves us every time. It’s the one herb I absolutely refuse to travel without.

How to Give Chickens Oregano

There are a few different ways to give your chickens oregano on a daily basis.

Give Fresh Oregano for Chickens in Water

The 2009 study published in the Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences was interesting because they tested three different forms of oregano (oil, infusion, and decoction), and their effectiveness against many different types of bacterial.

The oil (oil of oregano) and the infusion (oregano steeped in room-temperature water for 24 hours) showed the most effectiveness. This means that putting fresh oregano in your chicken’s water on a daily basis could provide some antibacterial protection.

This is something I do with my own flock. When I fill up their water in the morning, I add a splash of apple cider vinegar, and I throw in a handful of fresh oregano. I have oregano growing all over our homestead because we use so much of it.

Give Oregano Oil in Water

Another option is to put oregano oil in your chicken’s water.

I use oregano oil on the days when I’m too tired to go out and pick fresh oregano from the garden (I have two boys, ya’ll. It happens.)

All you need is one or two drops per gallon of water. That’s it!

Buy the Best Oregano Oil You Can Afford

Now, if you decide to invest in oregano oil it’s essential that you buy the highest quality you can afford. High quality oregano oil will contain high levels of carvacrol, which is what you want.

Lower quality oregano oils might use extraction methods that destroy or limit the amount of carvacrol available in the blend. They might also use fillers to spread the oregano oil out. Either way, you’re getting less of what you need to fight infections. So, quality counts here.

I’ve used North American Herb & Spice Oreganol for over 12 years. One bottle will last you a very long time (my first bottle lasted over 8 years!) It’s very potent, and very high quality.

Mix Fresh or Dried Oregano in Feed

Another option is to give your chickens fresh or dried oregano mixed in with their feed. It’s super easy…just throw in some oregano every time you feed your flock. When I do this I don’t measure anything out, I just mix it in.

You can also mix fresh or dried oregano in with nesting box herbs to keep pests and rodents out of the coop.

Last Word

There are so many benefits to giving chickens oregano that it’s hard to think of a reason not to. Oregano is antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory, and almost every other “anti” that you can think of. It’s easy and inexpensive to grow, and easy to give to your chickens on a daily basis. I call that a “win-win!”

I’d love to hear back from you. Do you give your chickens oregano? What has your experience been?