Yes, chickens can consume marigolds. Besides not being a cause for concern, this flowering herb offers chickens some unique health benefits as well. This article describes what marigolds are, why they benefit chickens, and what plants are toxic to chickens.
Marigolds come in a variety of types, and each has its own health benefits and properties. There are mainly three types:
In terms of chickens whose diet contains marigolds, what does all of this mean? In essence, you are providing your chickens with a natural, healthy supplement that will boost their immune system and improve the quality of their eggs.
For such a pretty flower, that's very impressive!
How come people prefer darker yolks? The general belief is that a brighter yellow yolk indicates a fresher & healthier egg. Supplements can also be used just to enhance color, however, so this isn't always the case.
Considering marigolds can lower the level of cholesterol in eggs while boosting chickens' health, deciding whether to feed them marigolds is one of the easiest decisions you can make.
Growing them is easy, they look great, and they attract the right types of insects like bees while repelling others. And your chickens will eat anything edible you feed them, so you shouldn't have any difficulty convincing them to eat them.
The petals can be dried and added to their feed. Or toss some marigolds into the chicken run so they can peck at them or give them access to growing marigolds.
Just remember that darker yolks do not always equate with fresher, healthier eggs. However, if the egg was laid by a healthy chicken that ate marigolds, it may have a lower cholesterol level.
In addition to being good for chickens, eggs, and coops, marigolds are also great for attracting bees and butterflies to your garden. You should explore marigolds and other herbs if you're interested in natural remedies. I think it's a win-win situation.
What Are Marigolds?
Originally from the Mediterranean, northern Africa, and parts of the Middle East, marigolds are flowering herbs that bloom every year. They are also commonly found across the US because they are very hardy and easy to grow.Marigolds come in a variety of types, and each has its own health benefits and properties. There are mainly three types:
- Pot marigold (calendula) – calendula officinalis
- Mexican marigold – tagetes erecta
- French marigold – tagetes patula
- Signet marigold – Tagetes tenuifolia
Are Marigolds Poisonous to Chickens?
The first thing you should know is that marigolds are not poisonous to chickens. It is actually common for chicken owners to intentionally feed their chickens marigolds due to their numerous health benefits.The benefits of feeding marigolds to chickens
Marigolds are regarded as a super herb. There are a few ways that we use them for health and healing, as well as some ways we use them for chickens. Among the benefits of growing, feeding, and using marigolds around the coop are:Marigolds contain powerful antioxidants
The number one benefit of putting marigolds in your chicken's feed is that they contain antioxidants, which are essential to keeping living things healthy.Marigolds Possess Anti-inflammatory properties
Pot marigolds in particular are useful for reducing inflammation. Aside from treating general skin problems, they can also treat muscular pains, itchy skin, and fungal infections.Marigolds are Pest repellents.
Gardeners often use marigolds as pest repellents. French Marigolds produce pyrethrum during their normal growth cycle, a chemical that gives the plant its distinctive appearance. In most insecticides, pyrethrum is one of the ingredients - it is toxic to many insects. The French marigold is best for repelling parasites, lice, and other annoying pests in your chicken's coop as it has the strongest pest repelling properties.In terms of chickens whose diet contains marigolds, what does all of this mean? In essence, you are providing your chickens with a natural, healthy supplement that will boost their immune system and improve the quality of their eggs.
For such a pretty flower, that's very impressive!
What Marigolds Do to Egg Yolks
Xanthophyll is a pigment found in marigolds. This pigment that gives plants, flowers, fruits, and vegetables their color is a class of oxygen-containing carotenoids. The use of xanthophyll in commercial layer feed boosts the yellow color of egg yolks artificially. So, we know that chickens don't have any problem eating it and hens can lay eggs with darker yellow yolks with it.How come people prefer darker yolks? The general belief is that a brighter yellow yolk indicates a fresher & healthier egg. Supplements can also be used just to enhance color, however, so this isn't always the case.
Considering marigolds can lower the level of cholesterol in eggs while boosting chickens' health, deciding whether to feed them marigolds is one of the easiest decisions you can make.
How To Feed Marigolds to Chickens
You can buy marigold extracts and powders to give your chickens, but there's nothing like the real thing. Since you're raising backyard chickens, you probably have a yard, so you should think about planting marigolds there.Growing them is easy, they look great, and they attract the right types of insects like bees while repelling others. And your chickens will eat anything edible you feed them, so you shouldn't have any difficulty convincing them to eat them.
The petals can be dried and added to their feed. Or toss some marigolds into the chicken run so they can peck at them or give them access to growing marigolds.
Conclusion
Marigolds are excellent for chickens. The number of benefits marigolds have for your health and wellness is so great that you should consider feeding them to your chickens.Just remember that darker yolks do not always equate with fresher, healthier eggs. However, if the egg was laid by a healthy chicken that ate marigolds, it may have a lower cholesterol level.
In addition to being good for chickens, eggs, and coops, marigolds are also great for attracting bees and butterflies to your garden. You should explore marigolds and other herbs if you're interested in natural remedies. I think it's a win-win situation.
