Herbs can be a great addition to a chicken’s diet, as they provide a range of benefits, from boosting immunity to improving digestion. There are several beneficial herbs that are easy to grow in your garden. Some of my favorites, like Oregano, are also cheap to buy in bulk at the store. Herbs are easy to add to your chicken’s diet as you can mix fresh herbs in with their treats or dried herbs in with their daily feed. Here are some herbs that are good for chickens:
Oregano:
Oregano is a potent antimicrobial herb that can help keep chickens healthy by reducing the risk of bacterial infections. It also contains antioxidants that can boost your hen or rooster’s immune system. Fresh Oregano is always ideal, but I have also mixed dried oregano into my flock’s layer feed.
Thyme:
Thyme is known for antibacterial properties and can be a great aid in keeping your birds clean and healthy. Thyme also has antioxidants that can help boost your flock’s immune systems.
Sage:
Sage is an herb that has been traditionally used to treat respiratory issues in both humans and animals. Sage is also known to inhibit bone resorption, which can be very beneficial to egg-layers in preventing osteoporosis (fragile/ brittle bones or rickets). Like our other herbs here, Sage also has antimicrobial proprties.
Rosemary:
Rosemary is one of my girls’s favorites! Rosemary is rich in vitamins and minerals including Vitamin A, B, & C plus magnesium, calcium, and iron. This makes Rosemary a great herb for overall health in your flock. Rosemary is known to benefit the liver and nervous system, so it can help keep your chicks immune system in check. Rosemary also has strong antibacterial properties that can aid in infections like bumblefoot.
Garlic:
Is garlic an herb? I don’t know, but I feel like it needs to be included here. Garlic provides so many benefits to your chickens’ health! Garlic contains allicin, which is a compound with antimicrobial and antifungal properties. This is how garlic can help prevent and treat common infections and illnesses, like respiratory infections or fungal infections.
Garlic is also rich in antioxidants to boost your chickens’ immune systems. Garlic is also known to aid in digestion by encouraging the body’s production of digestive enzymes. Lastly, the potent smell of garlic can help repel flies and mites from your coop.
Lavender:
Lavender has a calming effect and can help reduce stress in chickens. Lavender is also known to improve circulation, so it can be beneficial to a hen or rooster who has an injury or may be broody. This study done on broiler chickens suggests that hanging lavender in the coop and providing lavender oil to the hens had a positive affect on them.
Mint:
Mint is an herb that can aid digestion and help reduce inflammation. Mint also naturally lowers body temperature, so it can be a good addition to your chicken’s Summertime snacks. Some birds will avoid Mint because of the smell, so you may want to mix the mint leaves in with other herbs or treats.
There has been some research that suggests that mint can help improve egg production. This study found that egg weight, frequency, and shell quality greatly improved for hens consuming dried peppermint.
Mint can also help repel insects and rodents. Mint plants can be really easy to have in your yard as a perennial. So, they are great to plant around the perimeter of your yard/ run to keep bugs out while also providing a healthy snack for the chicks.
Parsley:
Parsley is an herb that is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, calcium, and iron. It can also help freshen breath and aid digestion. Parsley is another herb that is easy to grow in your Summer garden (assuming you are in the right climate). You can also pick up a bundle for 99 cents at the grocery store to mix in with your chicken’s breakfast.
Dandelion:
Dandelion is an herb that can help detoxify the liver and improve digestion. It is also rich in vitamins and minerals and can help boost the immune system. Luckily, dandelions don’t need much help to get planted in your yard! I always keep a patch in the backyard for the bees and butterflies that my hens can help themselves to. Dandelion also makes a great tea for you and you birds, just make sure to clean the dandelions VERY well to get rid of any bugs or pesticides.
Calendula:
Calendula is also known as the “Pot Marigold” and has bright orange flowers. From what I have read, Calendula is an herb that has anti-inflammatory properties and can help soothe some skin irritations. It can also has anti-microbial properties that boost the immune system and aid digestion.
I have also read that Calendula gives egg yolks a more orange color, however, I have not tested that out.
When feeding herbs to chickens, like any other treat, it is important to provide them in moderation and to ensure that they are fresh and clean. You can add fresh herbs to their feed, scatter them in their yard, or make herbal teas to add to their water. However, it is important to note that herbs should not be used as a replacement for a balanced diet and proper veterinary care.
