How Essential Oils and Herbs Support Healthy Chickens
Essential oils and herbs are a natural way to support poultry health by supporting digestion, immunity, and egg quality. Nutrena® NatureWise® poultry feed includes a carefully selected herbal blend, including oregano, thyme, rosemary, star anise, and marigold extract, to help birds live healthy lives.
As poultry nutrition continues to evolve, flock owners are looking for natural ways to support performance. Herbal nutrition offers a practical, science-backed solution you can feel good about.
How Do Essential Oils Benefit Chickens?
Essential oils are compounds from plants that support poultry health in several ways.
They can help support:
- Gut health
- Digestive system balance
- Overall resilience
Often called phytogenics, these ingredients work together to support digestion, immunity, and performance.
Why Herbal Nutrition Matters in Poultry Feed
Today’s poultry environments come with a few common challenges, such as:
- Digestive inefficiencies
- Exposure to bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella
- Environmental and oxidative stress
- Growing demand for natural*, antibiotic-free production
Herbs and essential oils help address these challenges by supporting:
- A healthy microbial balance
- Natural* antioxidant protection
- Efficient digestion and nutrient use
- A strong, responsive immune system
That makes herbal nutrition a smart, practical addition to modern feeding programs.
Key Essential Oils and Herbs in Nutrena® NatureWise® Poultry Feed
Oregano for Gut Health and Defense
Oregano is one of the most well-researched herbs in poultry nutrition.
Key benefits:
- Promotes healthy gut microbiome
- Supports digestive health and immune function
- Encourages efficient nutrient use
The result of oregano is a healthy, well balanced flock that perform more consistently.
Thyme for Performance Support
Thyme works alongside oregano to support overall flock health.
Key benefits:
- Supports feed efficiency
- Promotes antioxidant support
- Help birds perform under stress
Together, thyme and oregano help maintain steady growth and egg production.
Rosemary for Antioxidant Protection
Rosemary is known for its antioxidant properties which help support flocks from everyday stress.
Key benefits:
- Help reduce oxidative stress
- Supports nutrient digestion
- Contributes to overall bird health
This can help birds stay productive and resilient over time even as conditions change.
Marigold Extract for Egg Quality
Marigold brings both visual and nutritional benefits to egg production.
Key benefits:
- Enhances rich, golden yolk color
- Helps lutein content
- Supports eggs nutritional value
Since yolk color is a key factor for many flock owners, marigold provides both visual and nutritional benefits.
Star Anise for Digestive Balance and Palatability
Star anise is a complementary botanical that supports overall flock wellness.
Key benefits:
• Supports digestive comfort
• Contributes to a balanced gut environment
• Helps support consistent feed intake
Star anise works alongside other herbs to help birds maintain steady eating habits and consistent overall wellness.
How These Ingredients Work Together
The real strength of herbal nutrition is how these ingredients work together. In combination, Nutrena NatureWise Herbal Blend supports multiple biological systems:
1. Gut Health and Digestion
- Encourages enzyme activity
- Supports nutrient absorption
- Promotes a balanced digestive environment
2. Immune Support
- Supports healthy microbiome
- Supports overall immune response
3. Antioxidant Protection
- Help manage the effects of stress
- Supports long-term health and vitality
4. Performance and Efficiency
- Supports feed conversion
- Supports growth and egg production
- Enhances feathers vibrancy and sheen
5. Egg Quality and Nutrition
- Supports rich yolk color
- Supports nutritious eggs
What Makes Nutrena NatureWise Poultry Feed Different?
Nutrena NatureWise poultry feed combines complete nutrition with a thoughtfully selected herbal blend designed to help birds thrive.
With a focus on consistency and quality, NatureWise poultry feed helps deliver:
- Reliable performance
- Strong egg production
- Support for overall bird health
It’s nutrition you can trust, built to give you confidence in how you care for your flock.
What Does This Mean for Your Flock?
When you feed a diet made with carefully selected herbs and essential oils, you can see the difference in your birds day by day:
• More consistent egg production you can count on
• Larger, more uniform eggs in the nesting box
• Rich, golden yolks that look as good as they taste
• Birds that look vibrant, active, and healthy
• Strong feathers and overall flock condition you can feel good about
It’s a simple, natural* way to support your flock from the inside out, so you can feel confident you are giving them the care and feed they deserve.
Nutrena NatureWise products are considered natural as they are crafted with natural* ingredients along with vitamins, minerals, essential oils, and amino acids. *As defined by AAFCO
References: PoultryDVM. Giving Thyme to Chickens: Research, Dosage and Benefits. PoultryDVM Supplement Guide, accessed 2026
PoultryDVM. Giving Oregano to Chickens: Research, Dosage and Benefits. PoultryDVM Supplement Guide, accessed 2026.
Grčević, M., Z. Kralik, G. Kralik, and O. Galović. Effects of Dietary Marigold Extract on Lutein Content, Yolk Color and Fatty Acid Profile of Omega-3 Eggs. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 99(5):2292-2299, 2019.
PoultryDVM. Giving Rosemary to Chickens: Research, Dosage and Benefits. PoultryDVM Supplement Guide, accessed 2026.
