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)
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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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