Discover the surprising benefits of clove-infused water for your backyard chickens. A simple, natural remedy to help fight parasites and boost their health—no chemicals needed.
You know you’re a homesteading mama when your spice rack doubles as your medicine cabinet… not only for your family but for your chickens too!
Yep, that’s right, your chickens.
Let me take you back to a morning last spring. I was sipping lukewarm coffee (because #momlife), watching our chickens scratch around when I noticed something was off. Henny Penny looked tired, feathers dull, and she wasn’t laying as usual.
I went into full “mom detective mode.”
After some research and a few deep dives in backyard chicken forums (you know the ones where people swear by garlic, essential oils, and moonlight rituals), I stumbled across an old-fashioned trick: clove water.
Turns out, they’re packed with natural power. And just like I use herbs to boost my own family’s immunity, I realized maybe our feathered family needed the same TLC.
What Exactly Does Clove Do for Chickens?
Cloves aren’t just for cookies and Christmas. These tiny but mighty buds are antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiparasitic.
In plain mom terms?
They help fight the bad stuff, especially:
Red mites – blood-sucking pests that drain your hens’ energy
Lice – the itchy culprits behind feather loss and stressInternal worms – sneaky parasites that mess with digestion and egg production
Some studies even suggest that since cloves contain eugonol which is effective in improving digestion and detoxification of parasites, specifically a common intestenal worm known as Ascaridia galli.
Specifically combattimg a common chicken Parasite known as
And that’s exactly what my flock needed.
How I Use Clove Water (Two Simple Ways—No Fancy Equipment Needed)
You know I love a good “use-what-you’ve-got” recipe. And honestly, there’s no wrong way to do this. I’ve tried both of these methods, and they work beautifully depending on how much time (or energy) I have that day.
Cold Steep Method (My Lazy Mama Favorite)
What You’ll Need:
A handful (10–15) of whole cloves
A 1–2 gallon watering jug or large mason jar
Fresh, clean water
What to Do:
1. Add the cloves straight into your jug or jar.
2. Fill it with cool or room temperature water.
3. Let it steep overnight (8–24 hours).
4. The water will turn slightly amber and smell fragrant—like spice tea for chickens!
5. Strain before giving it to your flock, or just pour carefully.I like to prep a big jug in the evening and set it near the coop. By morning, it’s ready to go.
Boiling Method (For When You Want a Stronger Brew)
If you want a more potent infusion, or it’s a colder day and your flock could use something warm-ish:
What You’ll Need:
10–15 whole cloves1 liter (about 4 cups) of clean waterA small pot
What to Do:
1. Bring the water to a gentle boil.
2. Add the cloves and let simmer for 10–15 minutes.
3. Cool, strain, and pour into their waterer once it’s at room temperature.
Bonus tip: I sometimes toss the strained cloves into the compost pile or scatter them under the coop as a natural bug deterrent.
What I Noticed (and Why I Keep Doing It)
Within a week or so, Henny Penny had perked up. Her feathers started looking glossy again. She was clucking and scratching like her usual busy self. And most importantly—the eggs were back.
Since adding clove water to our flock care routine:
I’ve seen fewer signs of mites and lice
My hens seem happier, more active, and more productiveI’m spending less on chemical treatments and feeling better about what they consume
Final Thoughts from One Homestead Mama to Another
I used to be a wildlife rehabilitator with a vet tech background, and even with that experience under my belt—I still choose natural remedies whenever possible. Why? Because I’ve seen firsthand how powerful nature can be when we trust it.
Clove water isn’t some trendy trick. It’s a simple, old-school remedy that’s stood the test of time. And for this busy mama, it’s one of those easy wins that helps me care for my flock without reaching for harsh chemicals.
If you’re looking for a zero-fuss, all-natural boost for your hens—try the clove cure. You might be surprised by how something so small can make a big difference.
PS: Want more natural homestead tips like this?
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