Herbs can provide a lot of health benefits to your flock of backyard chickens. Furthermore, they can save you money, keep your coop clean and fly-free, and do a lot more. Here's what you need to know about giving herbs to your chickens.
In the same way, herbs can make your chickens healthier. Some can improve the immune system, while others may keep lice and parasites at bay. The herbs you use in cooking are safe to use around chickens, and you can give your bird a variety of wild herbs and plants as well.
It's not unusual to see people growing gardens just for their chickens. If you want your chickens to eat unwanted bugs and maintain your soil, then allowing them to forage in your herb garden is a great idea. They'll even till the soil for you. They will not discriminate, however, and will go after pretty much any plant growing there no matter what.
You can still incorporate herbs into your garden even if you aren't ready to unleash the cluckers on it. The following ideas will help you.
Additionally, herbs are known for being easy to grow. Most of them don't require much water and will grow on their own. You can start with simple herbs like mint, parsley, oregano, or dill. Herb mixes can even be purchased for nesting boxes and chicken coops!
With minimal expense and effort, you can grow plenty of edible weeds and herbs for your chickens - all you need to do is harvest them or let your chickens harvest them, and you'll all reap the benefits.
What herbs do you give your chickens? Tell us which ones you give them and how you do it! Let us know in the comments section below.
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What are the benefits of feeding your chicken herbs?
Health Benefits
There are probably a lot of herbs you use in your cooking already. You probably do this to make your food taste better, but did you know that they improve your overall health as well?In the same way, herbs can make your chickens healthier. Some can improve the immune system, while others may keep lice and parasites at bay. The herbs you use in cooking are safe to use around chickens, and you can give your bird a variety of wild herbs and plants as well.
Saves Money
It's always good to save money when it comes to medications, chicken food, and other supplies. Additionally, herbs may be useful in improving digestion and stimulating appetite. Is there anything not to love?Gives Your Chicken Something to Do
Add some herbs to the run or coop if your chickens are prone to infighting or pecking order disputes. You can reduce the likelihood of injuries to your chickens by allowing them to scratch around and forage for herb treats. Busy chickens are happy chickens!Top 50 Herbs (and Herb-Like Plants) to Feed Your Chickens
- Anise: Anise is effective against some parasites and diseases.
- Basil: It's not just for spaghetti sauce. As well as having antibacterial properties, it can repel flies and mosquitoes and improves your bird's mucous membrane health for better immunity overall.
- Bay Leaves: Bay leaves are good immune system boosters, as well as antiseptics, antioxidants, and insect repellents.
- Bee Balm: Also known as bergamot, bee balm has antiseptic, calming, antibacterial, and respiratory properties.
- Borage: Borage contains a lot of calcium, as well as beta carotene and niacin, which chickens need. It is calming and can improve cardiovascular and mucous membrane health as well.
- Calendula: If your chicken becomes injured, calendula can help the healing process.
- Catnip: It's not just for cats! The sedative properties of catnip also work on chickens. The plant can also repel insects.
- Cayenne: Besides being great for circulation, cayenne is also antiseptic. It can also stimulate appetite and digestion in chickens.
- Chamomile: Chamomile is just as relaxing for you as it is for your chickens! In addition, it can deter fleas, act as an antibiotic, and even detoxify the body.
- Chervil: Chervil is another good healing agent, and it prevents bruising and illness. Its powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-disease properties are due to its vitamin and mineral content.
- Chickweed: Chickweed is a natural pain reliever that is also high in vitamins and minerals.
- Chives: Besides smelling great, chive plants can also repel pests. They are also great sources of iron for your chickens and encourage them to eat.
- Cilantro: Cilantro is a rich source of vitamins A and K, which can help improve blood clotting and maintain strong bones. This herb is also an antioxidant and fungicide.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon is beneficial to your bird's respiratory system.
- Clover: Plant clover as a cover crop or let your birds forage on wild clover. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein.
- Comfrey: A little-known herb, comfrey is both pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory. Healing wounds and promoting bone, cartilage, and muscle growth are two ways it can help. Moreover, it is rich in protein and vitamin B12.
- Dandelion: Dandelion isn't just a weed - it also stimulates laying and is great for your birds' health.
- Dill: Dill is a great relaxing herb that stimulates digestion, appetite, and serves as an antioxidant in general.
- Echinacea: Echinacea is a great antibacterial agent that can help boost immunity and respiratory health.
- Fennel: Fennel helps repel insects and promotes laying.
- Garlic: A favorite of backyard chicken keepers, garlic is an antioxidant, stimulates appetite, relieves stress, and prevents parasites.
- Ginger: Ginger can stimulate your birds' appetite as well as relieve stress. Ginger is also good for digestion.
- Goldenseal: Goldenseal is a powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory herb that can be used to treat wounds and other injuries.
- Hyssop: Hyssop promotes wound healing, detoxification, and circulation.
- Lavender: This herb is perfect for relieving stress and improving circulation. Plus, it keeps insects out of your coop and makes it smell absolutely amazing.
- Lemon Balm: Lemon balm has calming and antibacterial properties, as well as the ability to keep insects and rodents out of the chicken coop.
- Lemon Verbena: Another antiviral herb, lemon verbena also repels flies and pests as well.
- Lemon Grass: Not to be confused with either of the lemony herbs above, lemon grass keeps flies and mosquitoes away.
- Lovage: Lovage is a lesser-known herb that promotes mucous membrane and respiratory health. This herb is a good blood detoxifier and has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Marigold: For the brightest golden-orange egg yolks in the world, look no further than marigold. If you give your chickens marigolds, they will have healthy egg yolks along with healthy feet and beaks. The marigold is also an excellent insect repellent and laying stimulant.
- Marjoram: Another good laying stimulant is marjoram. Plus, it can improve your hens' circulatory system and serve as a decongestant.
- Mugwort: Mugwort can be used to repel lice, mites, and fleas.
- Nasturtium: Nasturtium is another good laying stimulant, as well as a natural insect repellent and wormer. In addition, it contains antibiotic properties.
- Nettles: Nettles contain a lot of calcium and protein. You will likely sting yourself if you try to harvest this one - if you leave it to your chickens, they will eat it.
- Oregano: Who doesn't like oregano? If you wish to combat diseases like avian flu, e-coli, blackhead, infectious bronchitis, coccidia, and even salmonella, this herb is a great choice. It also strengthens the immune system and offers a variety of other health benefits.
- Parsley: A perennial favorite, parsley is high in vitamins A, C, B, and K, as well as calcium and iron. In addition to improving blood vessel development, it is a good laying stimulus.
- Peppermint: Peppermint repels insects and helps against parasites.
- Pineapple Sage: Pineapple sage helps your chickens' nervous system. Plus, it smells amazing!
- Plantain: Not the banana-like variety, but the weedy variety, plantains are a great wild herb to feed your chickens. This plant has powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties. Moreover, it can also assist in fighting and preventing infections.
- Purple Deadnettle: Purple deadnettle is completely edible, but should only be foraged when mature. It is an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal plant unrelated to stinging nettles.
- Raspberry Leaf: The raspberry leaf promotes the health of your chicken's reproductive system.
- Rose: Rose petals are not only fragrant but they are high in vitamin C as well.
- Rosemary: Another good pain reliever is rosemary. It can help keep pests at bay and enhance respiratory health.
- Sage: It is believed that sage can help combat salmonella. Additionally, it is an anti-parasite and a powerful promoter of overall health - especially when it comes to laying.
- Smartweed: This herb's name says it all - it is a great way to enhance the respiratory health of your chickens. It also has antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties.
- Spearmint: Spearmint improves brain function and stimulates nerves. Additionally, it is a good antiseptic and insect repellent.
- Tarragon: Tarragon is an excellent appetite stimulant.
- Thyme: Thyme promotes good health and is anti-parasitic, antibacterial, and antioxidant.
- Wild violet: This plant has a great effect on circulation.
- Yarrow: Chickens benefit from yarrow because it clears their sinuses and respiratory systems. Moreover, it has antibacterial properties and is a great stress-reliever.
What herbs should chicken avoid?
Chickens are generally good at avoiding foods they know are bad for them. However, mullein, St. John’s Wort, rhubarb, and buttercup are among the toxic plants you should not feed your chickens.Herbs - Other ways to incorporate them
It's not unusual to see people growing gardens just for their chickens. If you want your chickens to eat unwanted bugs and maintain your soil, then allowing them to forage in your herb garden is a great idea. They'll even till the soil for you. They will not discriminate, however, and will go after pretty much any plant growing there no matter what.
You can still incorporate herbs into your garden even if you aren't ready to unleash the cluckers on it. The following ideas will help you.
- Make a chicken herbal tea and pour it into a feeding pan.
- You can bundle some herbs and hang them in the coop after you trim them.
- Sprinkle some herbs in the brooder box to keep things smelling good.
- You can add some herbs to your chicken's feed.
- Herbal sprays can be used to repel pests and rodents from the coop.
- To improve egg production, sprinkle herbs in the nest box. Herbs like lavender will also relax your chickens and make it easier for them to lay eggs.
- To help chickens beat the heat, freeze cooling herbs such as mint in ice cubes.
- Dust baths can be infused with herbs that help to fight diseases and parasites.
- Garlic and other immune-boosting herbs can be added to the water.
- Herbs can be planted or hung in a chicken run to help repel pests.
- During the molt, provide additional herbs to encourage feather regrowth.
Herbs for Your Chickens - Why You Should Use Them
Are you worried it will take too long to add herbs to your chicken coop? Don't worry. You can improve your chickens' health by using herbs - they will have glossy feathers, healthy eggs, and long lives when you use herbs. Moreover, most herbs can be started from seed for only a few pennies. And some are perennials, which means they come back every year.Additionally, herbs are known for being easy to grow. Most of them don't require much water and will grow on their own. You can start with simple herbs like mint, parsley, oregano, or dill. Herb mixes can even be purchased for nesting boxes and chicken coops!
With minimal expense and effort, you can grow plenty of edible weeds and herbs for your chickens - all you need to do is harvest them or let your chickens harvest them, and you'll all reap the benefits.
What herbs do you give your chickens? Tell us which ones you give them and how you do it! Let us know in the comments section below.
Further Reading:
- Herbs, Flowers, and Weeds for Chickens
- Can Chickens Eat Grass?
- Grass for Chickens-Taking a look at the natural health benefit provided by this everyday green
Other Helpful Resources:
