Happy Healthy Chicken Challenge 2025

A couple of years ago I was invited to present at the Backyard Chickens Summit in March 2024. More than 6000 chicken keepers spent three days listening to 22 speakers yakking about a variety of poultry issues. My workshop focused on Chicken Health Checks and First Aid Kits, which consisted of a 30-minute video and a live Q&A with the audience.

By then I had been blogging for more than five years. My goal has always been to connect and educate other chicken keepers to build capacity, create a sense of community and to improve the health outcomes for their flocks.

To that end, I have connected and collaborated with a number of vets, vet techs, a medical laboratory scientist at a teaching veterinary hospital and a naturopath with a focus on zoonotic diseases. I recognize that I’m not an expert but have worked hard to learn as much as I can to educate myself on chicken anatomy, physiology and pathology in order to pass that on to other small flock keepers.

Although I do have a regular family doctor I also have used the services of chiropractors, acupuncturists, naturopaths, homeopaths and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. Pharmaceutical medications have their place in your arsenal against health issues but so do other complementary modalities. I’ve written many posts on how herbal and natural remedies can be used to improve the health of chickens.

I didn’t present at last year’s Summit, but attended one of the workshops on essential oils (EOs) presented by Dr Janet Roark, and have followed her since. I know it’s short notice, but I just heard she’s hosting a Chicken Health Challenge, which I thought might be of interest to some of you folks.

Here’s the lowdown on what to expect:

If you’ve got chickens or have ever thought about it you’re going to love this!

Dr. Roark (The Essential Oil Vet), is hosting a 5-day Happy Healthy Chicken Challenge from November 17–21, 2025. Each day, she’ll go live at 5pm Central Time on how to support your flock naturally using essential oils, nutrition, and holistic care strategies that are safe, simple, and effective. (Replays available for one full year)

Here’s what you’ll learn:

Whether you’ve got a large backyard flock or you’re just getting started, this challenge will give you the tools to care for your chickens confidently and naturally.

👉 Register here and get in at 60% off

Bonuses include: Essential oil recipes, downloadable safety guide, veterinary panel replay, natural pest control webinar, Facebook group membership and daily giveaways.

Dr Roark’s bio: Veterinarian and the owner of Hill Country Mobile Veterinary Service in Austin, Texas; graduate from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. She started using essential oils for her own health after battling physical as well as emotional struggles related to stress. Dr. Roark began using essential oils in her practice about 6 months after incorporating them into her daily life, and doing a lot of research and reading every available book and article she could find on the subject. Her first case was nothing short of miraculous and she has never looked back since. She has dedicated herself to educating others about the safe and effective use of essential oils for animals and the people who own and love them! Her hope is that you find this information valuable and are able to use essential oils safely and more comfortably in your home.