Poultry farmers in Kenya can now use oregano plant to prevent and cure coccidiosis, one of the deadliest poultry diseases estimated to be costing farmers across the world up to $800m every year.
The recent study the Meriden Animal Health which shows that plant has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of the pure oil of oregano capable of repulsing coccidiosis is good news to millions of poultry farmers across the globe who are grappling with huge loses poultry loses and expenses brought about by coccidiosis invasion. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), global cost of its prevention in chicken alone stands at $300 million a year.
Oregano, a common weed mostly used by farmers in Kenya to enhance ripening of fruits due to its warm leaves is said to have antibiotic growth promoters and coccidiostats which repulses coccidiosis, this according to a study which was published in the world poultry.net.
The study further shows that when its solution is given to chicken, it helps to improve their Feed Conversion Ratio FCR and prevent the occurrences of gastrointestinal pathogen invasion, which normally cause gastrointestinal. Its active components effectively kill these microorganisms, which include both gram positive and negative bacteria upon contact within the gut of the poultry.
READ ALSO: A weed that kill ticks on livestock
According to the study, oregano leaves are natural feed additive containing an exclusive oregano essential oil, which can be included in the feed or water given to poultry. A part from acting as feed flavour and appetite enhancer, the rich oregano oils provides several health benefits due to its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
In order to get effective oregano leaves solution, a farmer need to pound fresh leaves of this weed, add considerate amount of water and let its settle for at least six hours. 500g of pounded oregano leaves should be mixed with a half liter of water to get desired mixture.
Most rural poultry farmers in Kenya rely on herbs to prevent poultry diseases due to high cost of vaccines.