Garlic benefits for chickens: a complete guide.

Garlic isn’t just good for humans – it’s one of the best natural health boosters you can give your flock too.

But with so much conflicting advice online (is it poisonous? will the eggs taste funny? does garlic kill worms?), it’s hard to know what's fact and what's folklore.

In this article, I'll share what the research⁽¹⁾ really says about garlic and chickens, how to use it safely, and why a little goes a long way.

Whether you’re curious about feeding it raw, powdered, or even growing your own, you’ll find practical, down-to-earth answers here.

Can chickens eat garlic?

Yes, absolutely. Chicken keepers have used raw garlic for generations to ward off a long list of poultry ailments from respiratory infections, to general immune support.

How much garlic should I give my chickens?

Remember: the golden rule is moderation. A little goes a long way, and too much can upset the balance of "good" bacteria in the digestive system.

This is what research recommends:

• In water: crush one fresh garlic clove per litre (about 4 per US gallon).
• In oil: use half a fresh clove infused in 1 litre, (one to 4 US cups). Drizzle over feed.
• Over food: one clove, crushed or finely chopped, mixed into feed no more than twice a week.
• Always use fresh, raw garlic. Cooking reduces its benefits.

It may take some time for your flock to get used to the taste. Start small and build up gradually over time.

Can baby chickens eat garlic?

Yes, but in very small amounts. Starting chicks early helps build their immune systems and makes them more likely to accept garlic as adults.

For chicks in the brooder, crush no more than 1 clove into one litre (about 1 US quart) of water, offered no more than twice a week. Always give plain water in between so they don't dehydrate if they dislike the taste.

Keep an eye on them: if the chicks aren't drinking, reduce the amount or remove the garlic water altogether and reintroduce it more slowly.

Health benefits of garlic for chickens.

Garlic has been studied more than almost any other natural supplement for poultry, and its effects are wide-ranging. Here are the most important, evidence-based benefits for your flock:

• Boosts the immune system: garlic strengthens a chicken’s natural defences, helping them recover more quickly if they’re looking a little "under the weather".

• Fights harmful bacteria: proven to be active against bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Cholera⁽²⁾.

• A natural antibiotic alternative: because it targets "bad" rather than "good" bacteria, garlic can help reduce reliance on antibiotics in poultry feed and is already used as a substitute in countries where antibiotics in poultry feed are illegal⁽²⁾. 

• Supports recovery after illness: garlic helps re-balance the gut and stimulates the  appetite, making it especially helpful for weak or recovering birds.

• Improves egg production and quality: studies show hens given garlic produce larger, better quality eggs with lower cholesterol.

• Deters red mite: the compound allicin in garlic seems to make chickens' blood less appealing to mites, offering a natural deterrent.

• Encourages growth in chicks and underweight hens: stimulates appetite and aids digestion, supporting steady growth.

Does garlic kill worms in chickens?

Does garlic help with mites and mosquitoes?

It can, if prepared properly not to be added to food or drink, but used externally as a spray.

What's the best way to feed garlic to the flock?

The key to getting the most from garlic is freshness and preparation. Crushing a fresh, uncooked clove is the absolute best way. It releases allicin – the anti-oxidant behind garlic’s antibacterial and immune-boosting powers.

But the strongest benefits of crushed garlic fade after about 48 hours, so it's important to refresh water or feed within two days.

Chickens won't peck at a whole clove. The trick is to add tiny pieces to their food or drink.

Here are the easiest ways to use garlic with your flock:

• In water: crush one fresh clove per litre (about 4 per gallon) and add it to their drinking water once per week. Remove after 48 hours and offer plain water in between garlic days.

• I use a garlic presser like this one – it makes the job much quicker. (Affiliate link).

• Over food: Crush or finely chop one clove and sprinkle over feed, no more than twice a week.

• As a treat mix-in: add small amounts to healthy recipes like my Poultry Protein Platter.

• Garlic powder: organic, non-GMO powder can be useful when fresh isn't available. Research⁽⁵⁾ shows that adding up to 1% garlic powder to feed can improve laying rate and egg quality. I use about one teaspoon to a kilo of food a couple of times each week.

What about garlic oil?

Some keepers drizzle garlic-infused oil over feed, but it comes with a risk: homemade garlic-in-oil mixtures can encourage botulism if not stored correctly.

Unless you’re confident in safe preparation (using short-term refrigeration or freezing), stick with fresh garlic or garlic powder.

Does garlic make chicken eggs taste?

This is one of the most common worries I hear: "if I feed my hens garlic, will I end up with garlic-flavoured omelettes?"

The short answer is no, unless you’re feeding huge amounts.

Studies^{(e.g. 3, 4, 5)} show you’d need to add at least 3% garlic to a hen’s daily diet before any flavour changes become noticeable. That’s far more than most of us would ever use – about 30 grammes per kilo (1oz per 2 lbs).

In fact, a long-standing study at Clemson University found the opposite: taste testers actually preferred the eggs from garlic-fed hens. They described the flavour as milder and fresher, probably because garlic naturally reduces sulphur compounds in the egg.

And the benefits don’t stop at taste. Research has shown that adding around 1% garlic to hens’ diets can:

• increase egg production,
• boost egg size and quality, and
• lower cholesterol in the yolks.

A surprising side effect in the chicken coop.

One of the more unusual benefits of garlic is what it can do to the smell of your coop. A study from Clemson University found that when garlic was added to chickens' diets, the ammonia odour of droppings was reduced.

Instead of the usual pungent ammonia smell, the researchers joked that the poultry house "smelled more like a pizzeria than manure".

It’s not the main reason to feed garlic to your flock, but it’s a nice little bonus for backyard chicken keepers (and our neighbours!).

How to grow your own garlic in 6 easy steps. 

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Sources and further reading.

A lot of "facts" you'll find on the internet are often people's individual views, often based on inaccurate information repeated from poor quality sources.

The information I provide in this article and others is based not just on my own experience, but on evidenced facts from scientific, peer-reviewed research and from highly respected and experienced poultry keepers such as Gail Dammerow.

Some of the sources I have used are these - click the link to read the full document:

1. Damerow, Gail: The Chicken Health Handbook. Pub. Storey, 2015.

2. Rehman, Z., and Munir, M: Effect of garlic on the health and performance of broilers. Pub. Veterinaria, 2015.

3. Olobatoke, R., and Mulugeta, S.: Effect of dietary garlic powder on layer performance, fecal bacterial load and egg quality. Pub. Poultry Science, 2011.

4. Khan, S. et al: Effects of dietary garlic on performance and serum and egg yolk cholesterol in laying hens. Pub. Asian Journal of Poultry Science, 2007. 

5. Abdulaziz, A: Effects of different dietary levels of garlic (Allium Sativum) powder on productive performance and egg quality of laying hens. Pub. International Journal of Poultry Science, 2016.

6. Bruso, J: Which is healthier: raw or cooked garlic? Pub. Livestrong, 2017.