7 organic drugs and drugging materials you should know as a livestock farmer

This article is a useful guide on how to identity and utilize the common and different organic plant materials used to treat animals especially poultry.

1. Christmas melon (Tagiri)

Poultry farmers can adopt Christmas melon (also called Tagiri) extract to cure the deadly and contagious Newcastle Disease (ND) that attack their birds and avoid the use of antibiotics and other synthetic drugs that often raise their production costs and harm humans.

According to a previous report by International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) on Newcastle disease control in Kibwezi, Machakos County, in spite of the availability of the disease vaccines its uptake by small holder farmers is generally limited due to its cost, hence Newcastle disease remains a major constraint among the farmers.

“The cost of rearing chickens has become costly and it is high time farmers go organic in raising their chickens and put in place natural defences that will help protect their flock against deadly poultry diseases,” said Marshal Kithokilo, an organic farmer from Kajiado County.

According to him, Christmas melon is interestingly known to ward off viral diseases in poultry and the only challenge in using it is that it is supposed be prepared for seven good days before usage.

However, it is important to know how the wonderful bulb can be used effectively without any complications. To get the procedure of preparation, stay glued on our next post from this page.

2. Turmeric

Turmeric is an herbaceous plant found in the “ginger” family. It is an ingredient found in many Indian curries and sauces and is known as an anti-inflammatory.

While animals cannot tell us of their pain, their behaviour can make us aware of their discomfort. What can turmeric do for animals who are experiencing the pain of inflammation? Turmeric contains curcumin, which acts as an anti-inflammatory in animals and a pain reliever, and “…for this reason, it’s a great food additive for pets, and agricultural animals that suffer from ailments and illnesses which cause pain.

It turns out that turmeric is also “a powerful anti-oxidant…, a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, which suggests that it’s also useful for disinfecting and treating skin injuries (MacKeigan, 2014). Dog Naturally Magazine recommends mixing it with your pet’s food, or if needed topically, mix it with honey to make a paste. For update on how to prepare turmeric for poultry, rabbits, dogs etc.

3. Mango bark

The bark of a mango tree contains antioxidant nutrients such as; Vitamin A & Vitamin E and it can be used for its anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce the risk of internal bleeding in birds.

Example; when a bird suffers from a red coccidiosis bleeding, preparing a mango bark and also mixing it with pawpaw leaf + bitter leaf including moringa which is to be processed through decoction will absolutely disable the problem of red bleeding coccidiosis in your farm. However, mango bark syrup is styptic and astringent, it cures and treats wound absolutely, this means, it can stop bleeding of any kind whether internal or external, all you have to do is to apply it with care as for it to respond effectively.

The bark of a mango tree is medicinal as it prevents so many sores in the body system of a bird. Using mango bark is recommended for proper medication for birds. Mode of preparation has been posted in an earlier post.

4. Scent leaf (Ocimum gratissimum)

Diseases caused by intestinal worms in small ruminants, pigs and poultry have continued to be a major productivity constraint in the tropics and subtropics

Scent leaf (Ocimum gratissimum) meal can be utilized at 10g/kg diet DM for the control of helminths (intestinal worms) (Adebayo et. al 2019). Stay through the next post to see the mode of preparation.

5. Ginger and garlic

Ginger and garlic as natural growth promoters can be potential alternatives for common artificial growth promoters like antibiotics.

Garlic (Allium sativum) has been used as a spice and a native medicine for many years. It has possessed antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antiviral, antioxidant, anticholesteremic, anti-cancerous, and vasodilator characteristics. Ginger and garlic supplements in broiler chicken diets have been recognized for their strong stimulating effect on the immune and digestive systems in birds. Recent research works on ginger and garlic formulations as feed additives have shown encouraging results in regards to weight gain, feed efficiency, lowered mortality and increased liveability in poultry birds.

6. Bitter leaf

Botanically called Vernonia amygdalina, this shrub has been used by traditional locals to treat different ailment, diseases, due to the medicinal value and healing potencies present in this vegetable. It is best in promoting growth and weight in catfish (Clarias spp), poultry, rabbitry and piggery. Pregnant animals can also take calculated amount of bitter leaf in their feed as a side preventative medication.

7. Bitter kola

Bitter kola is essentially a phytobiotic against common cold and certain heart/lung related disease. In poultry and rabbits, it is utilized to minimize or eradicate such common diseases. Constant use of bitter kola decoction also stimulates early growth in animals.

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