Laikipia poultry farm battles diseases the natural way with garlic, thyme, and mint.
In the heart of Laikipia County, a poultry farm is making headlines for a refreshing, chemical-free approach to one of the poultry industry’s biggest headaches mites, lice and respiratory infections. Instead of relying on synthetic pesticides and antibiotics, this farm has embraced an old- age, natural solution: spraying a blend of garlic, thyme and mint around their crops and birds.
These aromatic herbs often praised in the kitchen, are now proving powerful in the poultry yard. Garlic acts as a natural antibiotic and immune booster, while thyme and mint have strong antifungal and antibacterial properties. Together, they form a potent herbal cocktail that repels pests, improves air quality in the crops and keeps infections at bay without leaving chemical residues on the birds or in their meat and eggs.
But while the move toward natural farming is commendable, it also brings into focus the need for traceability in agriculture. When farms use herbal treatments instead of conventional medication, it becomes even more important to trace the origin, handling and application of these natural inputs. Traceability systems can help verify that the garlic, thyme and mint used are organically grown, free from contaminants and correctly applied according to safety standards.
Moreover, in case of any future health concerns or product recalls, traceability allows for quick identification of affected batches whether it is in the eggs, meat or feeds. It helps consumers, retailers and regulators trust that what is labelled as “herbal-treated” is genuinely safe and traceable from farm to fork. This is particularly crucial as demand for organic and antibiotic-free poultry products rises, both locally and globally.
By integrating traceability into their herbal-based farming methods, the Laikipia poultry farm is not just keeping chickens healthy the natural way, they are also building consumer trust and setting a new standard for sustainable poultry farming in Kenya.
