GOATS, CATTLE, AND CHICKENS OH MY!!!

GOATS

Goat Disbudding: Studies have shown a direct injection of clove oil into 5-day old goats for horn disbudding is an extremely effective method to stop horn growth without any undesirable effects in goat kids.

Recipe to combat Pizzle Rot: This affects the penal sheath of male goats and can go systemic. Mix 5 drops of Lavender and 5 drops of Tea Tree in 1 tablespoon of olive oil and apply to area daily until rot is no longer evident.

CATTLE

Essential oils can be used on your cattle herd to promote happiness and health. In Many parts of Europe, farmers have moved away from conventional treatments and have taken up the more natural approach by implementing the use of EOs into feed, supplements and external care. US feed producers have taken note and begun blending EOs into their feed blends.

The Developmental Origin of Health and Diseases has stated that essential oils are a promising way to limit the use of antimicrobials in livestock. Essential oils can kill bacteria, fungi and some viruses, reducing discomfort and illness that cause cattle stress. In Europe, essential oils have replaced the use of antibiotics as feed additives to reduce stress and disease.

Improving meat shelf life: In cattle, a recent study has shown that cattle diets with an essential oil supplements reduced the lipid oxidation and reduced the color losses- aiming to maintain and improve meat quality in shelf life.

Essential Oil use for Cattle:

• Clove and Cinnamon: Have an antimicrobial effect in the rumen, helping reduce fermented protein. Oregano and garlic oil have proven to have the same benefit.

• Thyme: Stimulates the digestive system, biome health and may promote more growth.

• Oregano and Thyme: Has documented antibacterial, anti fungal, anti-parasitic and antimicrobial properties for wound, lesions and hoof care.

• Lavender and Chamomile can be used to reduce cattle stress resulting in increased milk production by being applied to the ears of your cow

• Rosemary, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Lemon, Cedar and Pine can all be used to ward off flies, fleas, mosquitos and lice. Simply mix these oils into vegetable or coconut at a 1:4 ratio and massage or brush onto your cow.

CHICKENS

Sanitizing fertile eggs: Where paraformaldehyde is used in commercial egg production for sanitizing, clove is found to be a better substitute. In once study, the count of total aerobic mesophilic bacteria was significantly lower after spraying w/ clove essential oil.

• Cedarwood, Lavender, Tea Tree and Lemongrass oils (15 drops each) mixed in with 16 oz water shaken and sprayed throughout an empty coop and chicken run can keep insects and parasites at bay

• Citrus oils of Lemon, Sweet Orange, Lime or Grapefruit can discourage pecking of younger or smaller Fowl. Chickens typically do not like the smell of citrus (Yes! Those ladies can smell!) and they will shy away from anything that smells as such.

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ESSENTIAL OILS AND BEEKEEPING... By Susan Lane

Essential Oils are definitely a beekeepers friend!

As an avid beekeeper for over 10 years, I can tell you I have personally used Essentials with those beautiful creatures. They are safe to use around the bees, and very effective!

My absolute favorites associated with beekeeping are LEMONGRASS and TEA TREE

Check out the info and recipes below.

LEMONGRASS

Lemongrass is steam distilled from the leaves of a perennial grass typically found in Nepal, India, & Sri Lanka. The oil itself is typically pale-yellow with an herbaceous, earthy, citrus aroma.

It is this aroma that makes it a perfect companion for beekeeping because it's similar to the pheromone of worker bees making it ideal for capturing swarms or moving hives.

HOW TO USE LEMONGRASS IN BEEKEEPING:

Put a few drops of lemongrass on a cotton ball & drop into the box.

Use in supplemental food for bees to stimulate them into eating the food: Simply dilute the oil in a spray bottle & spray over the food supplement.

Use in your smoker or spray bottle when trying to calm the bees: Helpful when re-queening.

Spearmint oil is often used in conjunction with lemongrass oil during feeding to improve hive health and work as a recruiting scent.

Caution: During periods of dearth, the smell may attract robber bees to the hives.

TEA TREE:

HOW TO USE TEA TREE IN BEEKEEPING:

Used in grease patties for control of mites and small hive beetles. When a varroa mite comes in direct contact with tea tree oil mixed in a grease patty, the mites usually die in a few minutes. The infected bee must however, walk across or feed on the patty. Therefore direct toxicity cannot be counted on to control these mites, it can only aid in controlling.

Recipe for a grease patty with Tea Tree Essential Oil:

Mix 1 part solid vegetable shortening 2 parts sugar with a hint of Tea Tree oil to provide odor and attract bees. Split into 1/4 cup portions and store in freezer between wax paper sheets.

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ESSENTIAL OILS IN THE GARDEN

Organic gardening can be difficult - attempting to keep pesky bugs out of the garden while ensuring the pollinators are welcome - all without the use of pesticides - can be very time consuming! Thankfully there are a number of essential oils to help with your garden, and you can sleep better knowing you didn't have to resort to the use of chemical-laden pesticides. Here are my own go-to essentials when it comes to using in the garden:

GARDEN RECIPES:

To Attract Pollinators: Add Lavender or Lemongrass essential oils to an 8oz spray bottle. Fill the rest of the bottle with water and shake well to combine. Spray on flowers, buds to attract pollinating insects.

For a Pest Control: Add 20 drops of essential oil (see table below) & 1 oz of liquid castile soap in a 4 oz glass spray bottle. Slowly add 3 oz of water. Shake well to combine. Spray onto the soil around your plants. Or - Soak the essential oil into a few cotton balls and place around the garden.

Controlling Fungus: Tea Tree oil kills fungus: Dilute essential oil in water and spray over growing fungus. It also will prevent fungus from growing back.

Ready to use essential oils in your garden? Find them here.

Insect	Essential Oil to Use
Ants	Peppermint, Citrus oil (such as Orange or Lemon), Tea Tree, Clove. A good mix of each of these oils will eliminate the chemical trail ants produce - citrus in particular has a chemical toxic to ants.
Aphids	Cedarwood, Peppermint, Tea Tree, Rosemary - Be sure to spray on affected leaves to get rid of adults and any larvae.
Beetles	Peppermint, Thyme
Fleas	Peppermint, Cedarwood, Lemongrass - use in your garden not directly on your pet - there are other recipes to safely use on your dogs or cats.
Flies	Peppermint, Lavender, Rosemary, Sage, Eucalyptus
Gnats	Patchouli, Spearmint, Eucalyptus
Lice	Cedarwood, Lavender, Tea Tree, and Lemongrass (excellent for your chicken coop too!)
Moths	Cedarwood, Lavender, Peppermint, Spearmint
Cabbage Moths	Rosemary
Slugs & Snails	Cedarwood (undiluted drops added into to your mulch or wood chips)
Spiders	Peppermint, Spearmint (using cotton balls and placing in the corners of your house also helps keep spiders away!)
Ticks	Sage, Thyme, Lavender, lemongrass (for use in your garden - there are other recipes for tick repellent you can use directly on your dog or cat)
Weevils	Cedarwood, Patchouli, Sandalwood
Tomato Worm	Tea Tree, Citronella, Lemongrass, Peppermint (also I recommend planting basil around your tomatoes to help).

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