Natural Remedy For Chickens: Borage

Borage (Borago officinalis) is more than just a striking addition to your garden. For backyard chicken keepers, this hardy annual herb offers a surprising array of health benefits for poultry. Easy to grow and loved by pollinators, borage also provides nutritional and medicinal support that can help keep your flock happy and healthy.

Borage leaves and flowers contain gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid known for its anti-inflammatory properties. While chickens produce limited amounts of essential fatty acids on their own, supplementing their diet with sources of GLA can support immune function and reduce inflammation, especially in aging birds. Chicken keepers have noted improved resilience during seasonal stress or minor illnesses when borage is part of the diet.

Vitamins and Minerals

Borage is high in vitamins A and C, as well as trace minerals like iron, calcium, and magnesium. These nutrients are vital for:

• Egg production and shell quality
• Feather growth and moulting support
• Overall metabolic health

Fresh leaves chopped into daily feed or scattered in a foraging area can give chickens an extra nutritional boost, particularly during demanding times like laying season or winter.

Digestive Aid

Traditionally used in herbal medicine for soothing upset stomachs, borage can serve as a mild digestive aid for chickens. It may help reduce minor digestive discomfort and support a healthy gut flora, especially when hens are transitioning to new foods or recovering from mild gastrointestinal upset.

Stress Reduction

Borage has historically been regarded as a “mood-lifting” herb. In chickens, its mild calming effect can help ease stress during events such as flock introductions, predator scares, or transportation. While not a substitute for good management, borage can be part of a holistic approach to minimizing stress, which is crucial for preventing behavioural problems and maintaining steady egg production.

Skin and Comb Health

Thanks to its GLA content and hydrating mucilage compounds, borage may help support healthy skin, combs, and wattles. This is particularly helpful in cold weather when frostbite and dryness are common concerns. Chickens with access to fresh greens like borage often display more vibrant coloration in their combs, a sign of good circulation and overall wellness.

Photo credit: Garden City Chickens and Valerie Angel Cole

Uses For Chickens

• Fresh leaves and flowers: Scatter a few handfuls into the run or add to daily greens to encourage foraging behaviour.
• Dried borage: Can be added to winter feed mixes or as an ingredient in herbal nest box blends.
• Drinking Water: Make a mild herbal tea using borage leaves and add it to their drinking water. This can provide additional nutrients and support hydration, especially in hot weather.

Avoid feeding in excess, especially young plants, as they contain small amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which could be harmful in large quantities over time. As with all herbs, variety is key – borage should be only one part of a diverse diet.

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