We are in the midst of a real movement taking place all across the world: of people getting back to the simple life…a sustainable life! It’s incredible to watch as families are finding value in schooling their kids in the home, using natural medicine, growing their own food, and raising animals.
This momentum in learning to live a holistic lifestyle (what I like to call “life of abundance”) is why I believe I’m being asked, in greater frequency, about essential oils and animals…more specifically, essential oils for chickens and horses!
I love this question…because I love animals! So I wanted to put together a few facts, and fun tips, to help you get started with essential oils for your animals! I hope you find these top essential oils for chickens and horses helpful.
Essential Oils for Chickens
Get ready for some random chicken facts!
Chicken Health Fact #1:
Did you know that chickens breathe differently than mammals? I won’t bore you with all the details (you have Google for that), but because of the way they breathe it makes it really easy for chickens to inhale toxic levels of bad air in a short amount of time, which can dramatically affect the health of the chicken.
A buildup of fumes from chicken droppings and harsh chemical cleaning products can irritate the delicate breathing system of a chicken and lead to illness. Using a coop cleaner made with essential oils will not only clean, disinfect, and deodorize the coop, it will do it all without irritating the chicken’s respiratory system. That’s a win, win! ?
DIY Essential Oil Coop Cleaner
Great for cleaning nest boxes, roosting bars, and all general coop cleaning.
(In 16 oz spray bottle)
- Fill the bottle halfway with white vinegar.
- Add 25 drops of Lemon essential oil.
- Fill the rest of the bottle with distilled water.
Chicken Health Fact # 2
Did you know that chickens don’t like citrus flavors? That means that wild orange essential oil is a great oil to use as a deterrent for annoying and unwanted pecking because chickens will not go near hens smelling like citrus oils.
DIY Anti-Pecking Spray
Can be used on chickens that have been pecked on or attacked by other birds.
(In 16oz spray bottle)
- Fill the bottle up with distilled water.
- Add 7 drops of Wild Orange essential oil.
- Shake well and lightly mist the birds.
Chicken Immune Booster
Add only one drop of Oregano to 2 gallons of water each time you refill the chicken’s water supply. It’s that easy!
Insect Repeller
Adding a drop or two of Thyme in your chicken’s nesting boxes can:
- Aid as an insect repeller to your chicken coop.
- Aid in respiratory health
- Aid in antibiotic or antibacterial needs.
Not only can this make your chickens in tip-top shape, it can help kill the bad stuff in a gentle, natural way!
‘Thou Shalts’ of Essential Oils and Chickens
- Thou shalt dilute essential oils if being used topically or internally.
- Thou shalt be patient with chickens while using essential oils.
- Thou shalt limit the number of essential oils you offer chickens- less is more.
‘Thou Shalt Nots’ of Essential Oils and Chickens
- Thou shalt not use a ‘hot’ essential oil on chickens.
- Thou shalt not put essential oils directly on chickens eyes, nose, or ears.
- Thou shalt not put chickens back into the coop after cleaning with essential oils until the coop is completely dry.
Essential Oils For Horses
The horse has a supercharged sense of smell that is strongly linked to their behavior. Cue essential oils! With powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, essential oils can be a tremendous help to many ailments frequently found in horses.
Essential oil use can be beneficial in everything from digestive problems, skin irritation or infection, muscle pain, sleeping problems, restlessness, and even mood swings in a horse.
Lavender
One of the most common uses of essential oils for horses is to help calm down their nerves. Stress and anxiety are very common in a horse…so next time you notice signs of stress in a wound up horse, try the calming scent of lavender in a diffuser.
Oregano
Oregano essential oil is a powerful protector: it can be used for everything from helping your horse heal from hoof rot and infections to decontaminating trailers and stables.
For Foot Abscesses
Add 2 drops of oregano oil to Epsom salts and put the salts into warm water and mix. Soak the foot for 15 to 20 minutes.
This mix can also be used in a wrap.
For Cleaning Stables
Mix 5 drops of Oregano oil with 24 oz. water.
Thrush Treatment
Thrush is a common condition in horses and, when underestimated and untreated, it may penetrate the sensitive structures of the hoof and cause temporary to permanent lameness.
- Soak cotton balls in Thyme and place them in the horse’s hoof boot for 24 hours.
- For severe cases place undiluted Thyme oil directly on the frog.
‘Thou Shalts’ of Essential Oils and Horses
- Thou shalt offer essential oils to a horse without restraining or enclosing them.
- Thou shalt dilute essential oils if being used topically or internally.
- Thou shalt be patient and allow your horse to process each essential oil.
- Thou shalt limit the number of essential oils you offer the horse – less is more.
‘Thou Shalt Nots’ of Essential Oils and Horses
- Thou shalt not put essential oils on the horses halter
- Thou shalt not put essential oils directly in horses eyes, nose, or ears.
- Thou shalt not force essential oils on a horse.
- Thou shalt not use essential oils right before a competition – 24 hour rule.
Thanks so much for the fun questions friends! I truly enjoy engaging with each of you! It is my passion to see you living the life you were created to live and I am honored to be on that journey with you all!
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