Botanical Bug Spray for Chickens

A homemade anti-flea and -tick spray for dogs that works beautifully on chickens, too. 

Photo © Keller + Keller Photography, from A Kid’s Guide to Keeping Chickens

Melissa Caughey, author of A Kid’s Guide to Keeping Chickens, writes:
My dog groomers turned me on to a homemade bug spray for dogs. They swore that if we sprayed our dog right before heading out for hikes in the woods, this spray would repel ticks and fleas. Well, it worked so beautifully, I decided to try it on the chickens! It seems to help them, too.

When spraying this on your chickens, be sure to avoid the head and eyes. Apply only to the back, chest, under the wings, and on their fluffy bottoms. All of these ingredients and a spray bottle can most likely be found at your local natural food store.

Botanical Bug Spray for Chickens 

What you need:

• 5 drops lavender essential oil
• 10 drops citronella essential oil
• 8 ounces distilled water
• A small light-proof spray bottle, preferably aluminum

What you do:

1. Combine all of the ingredients in the spray bottle.
2. Shake well before applying to your dog or chickens.

Use this spray when your flock (and your dog!) are out and about wandering the yard and gardens.

Text and recipe excerpted from A Kid’s Guide to Keeping Chickens © 2015 by Melissa Caughey. Photo © Keller + Keller Photography. All rights reserved.