Flock Vitality Blend (spring)
Flock Vitality Blend (spring)
This herbal blend is made only from things that I grew or foraged from my property. I practice regenerative and permaculture methods. I never use pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, store-bought fertilizers, not even organically approved ones.
This blend is a spring blend because, as the seasons change and progress, I will alter the recipe to include what is growing in the garden and food forest. It is healthy for animals to eat seasonally, like they naturally would. Not everyone can free-range or pasture raise their chickens, but this blend helps them get closer to the natural diet that they like to have.
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The Flock Vitality Blend is made with: Comfrey, Eggshells, Purple Dead Nettle, Yarrow, Pepper Flakes, Mint, Tulsi Basil (Holy Basil), Carrot Seeds, Marigold Seeds, and Whole Dandelion.
HOW TO USE: Sprinkle 1-2 teaspoons per chicken into their daily feed (e.g., 2-4 tablespoons for a flock of 10). Mix well to ensure they eat it evenly. Offer 3-4 times a week.
Contents contain 30-40 servings for a small flock (5-10 chickens).
Benefits for Your Chickens
Immunity: Purple dead nettle, yarrow, tulsi basil, and dandelion provide vitamins (A, C, K) and antioxidants to support immune health.
Digestion: Mint, dandelion, and yarrow aid digestion, while pepper flakes stimulate appetite and gut health.
Egg Quality: Eggshells supply calcium for strong shells, marigold seeds enhance yolk color, and comfrey adds protein and minerals.
Stress Reduction: Tulsi basil and mint help reduce stress, promoting overall well-being.
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COMFREY High in protein and minerals like calcium. Offers carotenoids.Comfrey leaves contain approximately 14% dry matter (DM) with up to 25% crude protein, 12.5% crude fiber, and 23% minerals. Vitamins A, C, B-12, Rich in Silicon, Calcium, Potassium, Phosphorus, Iron, Iodine, Trace Minerals, and more. |
PURPLE DEAD NETTLE Nutrient-rich (vitamins, minerals), supports immunity and digestion. Contains flavonoids like quercetin and kaempferol, which are antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. Pairs well with mint and dandelion. Works alongside the eggshell and marigold seeds for egg production. |
Tulsi Basil (Holy Basil) Adaptogenic, supports immunity, and reduces stress in hens. Works alongside yarrow and purple dead nettle to fight infections. Complements mint and dandelion to aid digestion and energy. |
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Dandelion (Whole) |
Mint Supports digestion and respiratory health, reducing bloating, and stimulates appetite The cooling effect of mint helps calm chickens, working alongside tulsi basil to reduce stress from laying or heat. Complements dandelion and purple dead nettle. Pairs with yarrow and tulsi basil to fight infections and works with eggshell and marigold seeds for egg production. |
Carrot Seeds High in antioxidants, supports immunity. Offers carotenoids. Essential oils have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, supporting chicken health by reducing infection risk and aiding digestion. It's flavonoids boost immune health, complementing yarrow, tulsi basil, and purple dead nettle in your mix. The fatty acids provide energy and pair with mint and dandelion. |
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Pepper Flakes Stimulates digestion, may improve circulation, and adds a slight warming effect. High in potassium, this helps regulate fluid balance and muscle contractions, helping chickens stay hydrated and active. Capsaicin stimulates digestion, improves circulation and gut motility, and has antimicrobial properties, helping chickens resist infections. Complements mint and dandelion in your mix. Pairs with yarrow, tulsi basil, and purple dead nettle to fight infections. Works with eggshell and marigold seeds for reproductive health. |
Eggshells Provides calcium for strong eggshells and bone health. The dominant nutrient is calcium, making up 95% of eggshell dry weight as calcium carbonate. This is an exceptional source, providing 3800-4000 mg per 100g, far exceeding most natural foods. It supports bone health, eggshell formation, and muscle function in chickens, making it the cornerstone of the recipe. It has magnesium, which aids calcium’s role. Has minimal sodium, but this helps maintain electrolyte balance. Contains collagen, protein, and glycosaminoglycans, which support joint health and skin integrity in chickens. |
Marigold Seeds Adds lutein for vibrant yolks, supports eye health, and has mild anti-inflammatory properties. Offers carotenoids. Marigold seeds are particularly rich in carotenoids, essential oils, and certain minerals. Lutein and zeaxanthin are the standout compounds, giving yolks a vibrant orange hue. Complements yarrow, tulsi basil, and purple dead nettle in boosting immune health. Fatty acids and protein provide energy and support cell function, complementing the nutrient-dense profile. |
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Yarrow Has circulation-boosting properties. It's essential oils support chicken health by reducing inflammation and aiding digestion. Complements tulsi basil, purple dead nettle, and marigold seeds to boost immune health. Reduces inflammation, supporting overall health, especially during stress or laying. Works with eggshell and dandelion to support strong eggshells and reproductive health. Aids digestion and improves blood flow, pairing with mint and pepper flakes. |
“Often seen as a sign of healthy food and good quality chicken. Grass-fed birds and free-range chickens usually have deeper colored yellow fat than their grain-fed counterparts. Grass-fed and pastured poultry are typically more exposed to food that has more carotenoid coloring.
Birds as a whole are not able to make carotenoids themselves, so they must come from foods that the birds eat. Carotenoids are, however, not just for coloring. They are useful as antioxidants. These beta carotenes are healthy for the chickens and healthy for you.
If you raise your own birds on pasture, you may notice more yellowness in the skin and fat. This is from them eating grass and other foods high in carotenoids. Feeding your flock a well-rounded feed with carotenoids or supplementing can produce beautiful, healthy, and tasty chicken for the table.”
Animal husbandry is very important to me. It has been my goal to have my animals live as close to a natural life as I can get them. I started off with chickens living in town. They needed to be caged, and I couldn't properly free-range them. I also wanted to limit or exclude commercial feed as well. This put me on a mission to find out what my animals could eat and how I could produce it and preserve it so I could stockpile for the winter. This led me to find information on a lot of herbs, flowers, and even what we classify as 'weeds', which are jam-packed full of nutrients that animals, like chickens, need.
MORE ABOUT THE NUTRIENTS FOUND IN THESE INGREDIENTS
Vitamin A: (as Beta-Carotene): Supports vision, immune health, and feather quality in chickens. It’s a carotenoid; a primary source is marigold or dandelion.
Vitamin C: A potent antioxidant that boosts immunity, reduces stress, and aids in collagen formation (important for skin and connective tissues in chickens).
Vitamin K: Essential for blood clotting and bone health, supporting eggshell formation when paired with the calcium from eggshells in your mix.
Vitamin E: An antioxidant that supports immune health, feather quality, and reproductive health.
Vitamin D: Supports calcium absorption and bone health.
B Vitamins:
Folate (Vitamin B9): Supports cell division and growth, beneficial for egg production and chick development if you’re breeding.
Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6): Supports protein metabolism and nervous system health.
Niacin (Vitamin B3): Aids energy metabolism and overall vitality.
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): Supports energy production and feather health.
Calcium: Supports bone health and eggshell formation. It is critical for forming strong eggshells, preventing breakage, and ensuring your hens can lay consistently.
Magnesium: Aids muscle function, nerve health, and enzyme activity, supporting overall chicken well-being.
Potassium: Regulates fluid balance and muscle contractions, helping chickens stay hydrated and active.
Iron: Supports oxygen transport in the blood, boosting energy and immunity. It’s especially useful for laying hens to prevent anemia.
Phosphorus: Works with calcium for bone and eggshell health, also aiding energy metabolism.
Manganese: Supports bone development and antioxidant enzyme function (like superoxide dismutase).
Zinc: Boosts immunity, supports feather growth, and aids reproduction.
Other Beneficial Compounds
Essential Oils: Eugenol, cineole, linalool, chamazulene, cineole, and camphor, which have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and stress-reducing properties. These oils give tulsi its distinctive spicy, clove-like aroma.
Flavonoids: Quercetin, kaempferol, orientin, vicenin, apigenin, and luteolin, which are antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties.
Phenolic Acids: Compounds like rosmarinic acid (common in the mint family) and caffeic acid offer antioxidant and antimicrobial effects, helping chickens resist infections. Compounds like chicoric acid and chlorogenic acid offer antioxidant and liver-protective effects, supporting detoxification in chickens.
Essential Oils: Trace amounts of volatile oils (like those in mint) give it a mild aroma and may have calming or digestive benefits.
Chlorophyll: Supports detoxification and overall vitality.
Carotenoids: (Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Beta-Carotene, Beta-Cryptoxanthin, and Capsanthin) contribute to eye health and slight yellow yolk pigmentation.
Inulin (in roots): Supports gut health. Roots add a digestive benefit.
Bitter Compounds: (Taraxacin, Taraxacerin): These stimulate digestion and liver function, aiding overall vitality.
Fatty Acids: The fat content includes linoleic acid and oleic acid, supporting cell health and providing energy.
Sterols: Beta-sitosterol and other phytosterols (small amounts), which may support cholesterol balance and overall health in chickens.
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