Poultry supplements are a great way to ensure that what we put into our poultry will be what we get out. Poultry performance, whether that be for show, egg production, meat or pets, relies heavily on nutrition and sometimes a few poultry supplements to help our chickens go a long way.

You might be surprised to discover that you don’t have to go to your local feed-supply store to get premium supplements. In fact, many simple supplements can be found in your home cabinets that can help stabilize feathers, increase egg quality and boost the general health of your poultry.

Key Takeaways

• A complete, age-appropriate poultry feed should provide the foundation of your flock’s nutrition.
• Poultry supplements can provide specific nutrients or serve specific purposes, but they should not replace a balanced ration.
• Calcium supplements such as crushed eggshells are primarily useful for laying hens that need additional calcium for eggshell production.
• Treats such as sunflower seeds, herbs and flaxseed should be offered in moderation so they don’t displace nutritionally complete feed.
• Some traditional supplements have limited research behind their claimed health benefits, so use caution with products or ingredients promoted as treatments or disease preventatives.
• Always provide chickens with plenty of fresh, clean water and consult a poultry veterinarian when a bird is sick.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar as a Poultry Supplement

Apple cider vinegar is a popular addition to backyard chicken care, but it isn’t a cure-all or a necessary part of a chicken’s diet. Some poultry keepers add small amounts to drinking water in an effort to support gut health, although evidence for routine use in healthy chickens is limited.

If you choose to offer apple cider vinegar, use it sparingly and never allow it to replace fresh, clean drinking water. Avoid adding vinegar to metal waterers, as its acidity can corrode some metals. There is also no need to give it routinely simply because it is considered a “natural” poultry supplement.

For healthy birds, a complete, age-appropriate ration and clean water remain much more important to overall health than adding apple cider vinegar to the waterer.

2. Eggshells for Calcium

Who knew that chickens could produce their own poultry supplement? Hens’ eggshells are made primarily of calcium carbonate, and calcium is essential for producing strong eggshells and maintaining healthy bones.

If laying hens need additional calcium, finely crushed eggshells can be offered separately from their regular feed. Grind the shells into small pieces or a powder so the birds don’t associate them with whole eggs. Keep supplemental calcium available to laying hens rather than mixing large amounts into the flock’s regular ration.

A complete layer feed is already formulated to provide the calcium a laying hen needs, so supplemental eggshells aren’t necessary for every flock. Most importantly, don’t offer high-calcium layer feed or large amounts of supplemental calcium to chicks and growing pullets. Their nutritional needs differ from those of laying hens.

If you have eggshells left over from your own flock, recycling them as a calcium supplement can be a practical option for laying hens.

3. Molasses for Emergency Support

The thick, dark syrup isn’t just for home cooking. Molasses has a specific use in poultry care because of its laxative effect, but it isn’t something to routinely add to a chicken’s diet or drinking water.

Molasses has been used as part of supportive treatment for chickens affected by botulism or certain toxin exposures. Mississippi State University Extension Service recommends a molasses-and-water solution in these emergency situations, offered free-choice for a limited period before birds are returned to regular water. Because excessive molasses can cause diarrhea and dehydration, it should not be given routinely or in large amounts.

If you suspect botulism, poisoning or another serious illness in your flock, contact a veterinarian or poultry health professional rather than relying on molasses alone. Used appropriately, molasses can be a useful item to have on hand for an emergency, but it isn’t a general-purpose poultry supplement.

4. Sugar

Sugar isn’t a necessary part of a chicken’s regular diet, and healthy birds receiving a complete poultry ration don’t need sugar water for routine nutrition. However, sugar water has traditionally been used as a short-term source of readily available energy for newly arrived, stressed or weak chicks.

If you choose to provide sugar water to chicks after shipping or another stressful event, offer it only temporarily and make sure fresh, clean water is also available. Sugar water should not replace chick starter or become a regular part of the flock’s diet.

For wounds or other health problems, don’t rely on sugar as a substitute for proper wound care or veterinary treatment. Chickens with significant injuries, weakness or signs of illness should be evaluated and treated appropriately rather than relying on dietary supplements.

5. Garlic 

Garlic is another popular natural addition to backyard chicken diets. While it has long been used by poultry keepers as a traditional supplement, there isn’t enough evidence to consider garlic a reliable treatment for illness or a replacement for proper poultry care.

Small amounts of fresh garlic can be offered as an occasional supplemental food if your chickens will eat it. However, there’s no need to add garlic to drinking water or feed routinely for the purpose of preventing disease or boosting immunity.

The original article also notes a practical use for garlic beyond feeding it to chickens. Gail Damerow’s The Chicken Health Handbook describes using garlic powder in chicken feed as a way to help neutralize manure odors. If you use garlic as part of your flock-management routine, consider it an optional supplement rather than something your chickens require for good health.

6. Herbs as Poultry Treats

Herbs such as dill, mint, oregano, basil and parsley can make interesting additions to a backyard flock’s diet. Chickens often enjoy pecking at fresh herbs, and dried herbs can be crumbled over their regular feed or offered separately.

Herbs aren’t a substitute for the protein, vitamins and minerals provided by a complete poultry ration. This is particularly important during molting, when chickens need adequate nutrition to grow new feathers. Feathers are made primarily of protein, so maintaining an appropriate diet is more important than adding particular herbs.

For a simple treat, offer small amounts of herbs and let the chickens decide what they like. Fresh herbs can also provide enrichment by giving birds something different to peck and explore. As with other supplemental foods, keep portions modest so treats don’t displace the flock’s regular feed.

7. Sunflower Seeds 

Sunflower seeds can be a nutritious treat for chickens when offered in moderation. Black oil sunflower seeds and striped sunflower seeds contain fat and protein, making them an energy-dense addition to a flock’s diet. Chickens also tend to enjoy them, making sunflower seeds useful as an occasional treat or enrichment activity.

Because sunflower seeds are relatively high in fat, however, too many can contribute excess calories to the diet. Offer small amounts rather than making them a substantial part of the daily ration.

Scatter a few seeds in the run for chickens to find, mix a small amount with their regular feed or offer them by hand. The goal is to provide a treat without allowing supplemental foods to crowd out the complete feed your birds need for balanced nutrition.

8. Flax Seeds for Omega-3s

Flaxseed can be an interesting poultry supplement because it is rich in alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid. When flaxseed is included appropriately in a laying hen’s diet, some of those fatty acids can be incorporated into the eggs, increasing their omega-3 content.

Flaxseed also provides protein, fat and other nutrients, but it should remain a supplemental ingredient rather than replacing a complete poultry ration. Ground flaxseed is generally more useful nutritionally than whole seeds because chickens can make better use of the nutrients.

As with other concentrated supplements, moderation matters. Large amounts of supplemental flaxseed aren’t necessary for healthy chickens and can alter the balance of the overall diet. Offer it as a small addition to a complete ration rather than relying on it as a general-purpose health supplement.

9. Kelp

Kelp may not be something you already have in the kitchen, but dried kelp or kelp meal is sometimes used as a supplemental ingredient in poultry diets. Seaweed contains a variety of minerals and other nutrients, which makes kelp an appealing natural supplement to some backyard poultry keepers.

That doesn’t mean chickens need kelp, however. A complete poultry ration is formulated to provide the nutrients birds need, and adding kelp isn’t necessary for every flock. If you choose to use it, select a product intended for animal feed and follow the manufacturer’s feeding directions rather than relying on a homemade dosage.

As with any poultry supplement, kelp should complement a balanced diet rather than replace it. Think of it as an optional addition—not a requirement for healthy chickens.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are poultry supplements?

Poultry supplements are ingredients or products added to a bird’s regular diet to provide specific nutrients or serve a particular purpose. They should complement, rather than replace, a complete poultry feed.

Do chickens need poultry supplements?

Healthy chickens eating a complete, age-appropriate feed generally don’t need routine supplements. Certain birds or situations may call for targeted supplementation, but adding more nutrients isn’t always better.

What is a good natural calcium supplement for laying hens?

Crushed eggshells can provide additional calcium for laying hens. Shells should be clean and finely crushed so chickens don’t associate them with whole eggs. A complete layer ration should remain the foundation of the diet.

Can chickens have sunflower seeds and flaxseed?

Yes. Sunflower seeds and flaxseed can be offered in moderation as supplemental foods, but they should not replace a nutritionally complete poultry ration.

Can poultry supplements treat sick chickens?

Supplements should not be considered a substitute for diagnosing and treating illness. A sick or injured chicken may need veterinary care rather than a dietary supplement.

Use Poultry Supplements Wisely

Poultry supplements can have a place in a backyard flock, whether you’re providing extra calcium to laying hens, offering nutritious treats or keeping a targeted supplement on hand for a specific situation. But supplements should complement a complete poultry ration, not take its place.

Before adding anything to your flock’s diet, consider the bird’s age, purpose and overall diet. Offer supplemental foods in moderation, provide plenty of fresh, clean water and avoid treating supplements as a substitute for proper veterinary care. With good nutrition and sound flock management as the foundation, poultry supplements can be useful additions when your birds actually need them.

This article about natural poultry supplements by Caitlyn Decker was written for Hobby Farms magazine. Click here to subscribe.