While many gardeners focus on cultivating crops for human consumption, incorporating medicinal herbs into your garden beds or surrounding your chicken coop can have a multitude of benefits. Not only are these herbs beneficial to humans, but they also provide a natural means of maintaining parasite-free coops and promoting the overall health and well-being of your flock.
In my own experience, I’ve found that growing extra herbs specifically for my chickens has led to a noticeable improvement in their health and stress levels. The addition of fresh herbs like lavender to their nesting boxes is particularly popular with my ladies, who seem to appreciate the calming properties of this fragrant herb. What’s more, the coop itself benefits from the presence of these herbs, enjoying a fresher and more pleasant environment as a result.
It seems that chickens, much like humans, can reap significant rewards from the inclusion of medicinal herbs in their lives. Whether you’re looking to boost your flock’s health or simply create a more welcoming and natural environment for them, incorporating herbs into your chicken-keeping routine is an idea well worth considering.
The Benefits of Medicinal Herbs for Chickens
As an avid herb gardener, I’ve found that cultivating medicinal herbs specifically for my chickens has been a game-changer. Not only do they thrive in almost any climate and require minimal maintenance, but they also provide my flock with essential vitamins, minerals, and trace elements that might be lacking in their commercial feed. Chickens are incredibly intuitive when it comes to nutrition, and they know which herbs can help them self-medicate and maintain optimal health.
For instance, by offering them a variety of aromatic herbs, I’ve noticed a significant decrease in pest activity within the coop – simply hang them from the ceiling or place them in nesting boxes, and you’ll be amazed at how effectively they deter unwanted critters. Moreover, incorporating herbs into their diet has a profound impact on my hens’ overall well-being, resulting in increased egg production and a generally more contented flock.
9 Medicinal Herbs for Chickens
Lavender
When it comes to medicinal herbs for my flock, I turn to the calming and soothing properties of lavender. This herb has a unique ability to bring peace and tranquility not only to me, but also to my chickens. One way to utilize lavender is by adding dried bundles to their coop area. The potent scent not only freshens up the space, but it’s also an effective deterrent against pests that can be problematic in chicken coops.
In addition to its pest-repelling properties, lavender has been shown to have a profound impact on my girls’ relaxation levels. By placing twigs of dried lavender into their nesting boxes, I’ve noticed that they seem to relax and even lay more eggs. While this might not be scientifically proven, the anecdotal evidence suggests that it’s definitely worth trying. Lavender also has natural mite-repelling properties, making it a valuable addition to my chickens’ dust bathing areas.
Not only does it help eliminate unwanted critters, but it also aids in circulation and overall health. By incorporating dried lavender into their dust baths, I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact it can have on my flock’s well-being.
Mint
Mint, a versatile and low-maintenance herb, offers a multitude of benefits when it comes to chicken keeping. One of its most notable advantages is its ability to thrive in containers, which is essential considering its aggressive growth habit that can quickly take over garden beds. In fact, mint’s natural properties make it an excellent addition to your flock’s water supply.
Simply crush the leaves and add them to their drinking water to help regulate body temperature during the hot summer months. Furthermore, the scent of mint has a calming effect on chickens, helping to reduce stress and promote a peaceful coop environment. To further leverage mint’s benefits, consider hanging dried bundles in areas where flies congregate or incorporating it into nesting boxes and dust bathing spots.
Additionally, planting pots of mint outside your coop can serve as an effective deterrent for rodents. With its many uses and ease of cultivation, mint is an ideal addition to any backyard chicken operation.
Basil
When it comes to keeping pests at bay and promoting the overall well-being of your flock, few herbs are as effective as basil. This pungent herb is a natural deterrent for many common chicken pests, making it an excellent addition to coop floors, nesting boxes, or even scratching areas. By incorporating basil into your chickens’ environment, you’ll not only keep unwanted visitors away but also support their respiratory health.
In fact, the mucous membranes that help regulate your flock’s breathing can greatly benefit from the antimicrobial properties of basil. Simply adding a few sprigs to their feeder or waterer is all it takes to reap these benefits and enjoy a healthier, happier flock.
Garlic
While many people may not consider garlic an herb in the classical sense, it’s a staple in many kitchens and has numerous benefits for both humans and chickens alike. When it comes to maintaining your flock’s health, garlic is a natural antibiotic that can help combat bacterial and fungal infections. If you notice your chickens appear under the weather, try adding minced garlic to their feed or water. This will not only promote overall well-being but also encourage healthier egg production.
In fact, garlic has been shown to stimulate laying in hens, making it a valuable addition to their diet. Additionally, garlic’s antibacterial properties can help alleviate respiratory issues and keep infections at bay.
Oregano
Oregano, a staple in many essential oil collections, packs a punch when it comes to supporting the health and wellbeing of your backyard flock. Its antibacterial and anti-parasitic properties make it an excellent addition to your chicken’s diet, particularly for bolstering their immune and respiratory systems. To harness oregano’s medicinal benefits, simply add fresh leaves to your chicken feed or hang dried bunches in the coop or run.
As your chickens forage and roam, they’ll be able to snack on the herb, reaping its rewards.
Calendula
Calendula, also known as pot marigold, is a widely used medicinal herb that’s not only beneficial for humans but also for our feathered friends – chickens. This versatile flower thrives in most environments and can be found growing alongside vegetables, making it an excellent companion plant to repel insects naturally. One of the many perks of incorporating calendula into your chicken’s diet is its edible nature.
Not only can you enjoy its flowers in salads yourself, but you can also share them with your flock. Interestingly, when chickens consume calendula, their yolks will take on a vibrant orange hue. Calendula’s benefits extend beyond aesthetics, as it promotes healthy feet and beaks for your hens. Moreover, its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties make it an effective natural remedy for treating common chicken issues like prolapsed vents or helping to alleviate egg binding in hens.
By using a homemade calendula salve, you can provide your flock with an added layer of care and support.
Comfrey
Comfrey, though lesser known today, held significant value in ancient Greece where it was employed to treat a wide range of ailments including wounds, fractures, respiratory issues, and gastrointestinal problems. This impressive array of medicinal properties makes comfrey an exceptionally potent herb for your flock. By incorporating comfrey into their feed, you can support better digestive health among your chickens.
Beyond feeding, another effective application of comfrey lies in creating an herbal salve by combining dried comfrey leaves with olive oil and beeswax. This topical treatment is ideal for soothing scrapes, scratches, or feather loss in your birds.
Thyme
When it comes to keeping pests at bay in your chicken coop or run, few herbs are as effective as thyme. Not only does its strong scent repel bugs and other unwanted visitors, but it also has natural antibiotic properties that can help clear up respiratory infections. To take advantage of these benefits, try hanging bundles of fresh thyme around the coop or mixing it into your chickens’ feed to treat a range of illnesses.
For added flair, consider using lemon thyme, which offers a pleasant citrus aroma and similar health-boosting effects as regular thyme.
Marjoram
Marjoram is often overlooked when it comes to medicinal herbs for chickens, but it does have some valuable benefits. One of its most notable advantages is that it’s a natural laying stimulant, which can be achieved by placing sprigs of marjoram in the nesting boxes or incorporating it into their daily feed.
Additionally, marjoram has been known to possess anti-inflammatory properties and act as a decongestant, making it an effective remedy for respiratory problems such as breathing issues and improving blood circulation. To harness its benefits, simply add this herb to your chickens’ water.
Try Making an Herbal Coop Spray
To harness the medicinal properties of these herbs for your chickens, consider creating an herbal spray that doubles as a cleaning solution. Since many of these herbs possess antimicrobial and antiseptic qualities, they can be used to disinfect and clean your chicken coop.
To prepare this versatile spray, select 2-3 herbs from the list that you think would complement each other well, then follow these simple steps: Combine peels from 2-3 oranges or lemons with 1 1/2 cups of vodka, 1 1/2 cups of distilled white vinegar in a one-quart mason jar. Allow the mixture to steep for 2-4 weeks before straining it into a glass spray bottle. Use this solution on all surfaces within your coop, effectively keeping it clean and free from disease.
The Bottom Line
Using medicinal herbs is an effective way to promote a happier and healthier flock. From controlling pest issues to alleviating respiratory problems, herbs offer a natural solution for many common chicken concerns. By incorporating these botanicals into your flock’s care routine, you can create a more harmonious and thriving environment for your girls.
