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The bird respiratory system is quite different than most animals. Chickens are no exception. It’s one of the reasons chicken keepers become concerned when their chickens show signs of have respiratory issues — like sneezing, wheezing, and coughing.

While it’s easy to jump headfirst into herbal remedies for your flock, there are some things we need to understand about essential oils and poultry before we start treating “all the things.”

For years, people told me that there was no natural way to prevent or treat chicken mites and lice, but as an herbalist, I knew this just wasn’t true. I’ve put together a tried-and-true natural treatment that I’ve been using for years.

Black drawing salve is an extremely easy salve to make for your chickens. You can use this salve to treat and heal wounds, or to keep flock members from pecking at wounds.

One thing most chicken keepers forget to have on hand is a chicken medicine kit! You don’t have to run to the farm store for anything, really. You can make basic medicinal chicken products in your home.

Many of these herbs have been proven time and time again to heal respiratory issues (some studies have even been done on chicken respiratory infections!).

Mycoplasma — it’s the word you never want to hear when it comes to your chicken flock. Yet, it’s probably the ailment you need to learn about the most since it affects flocks all across the world.