Desert Lavender (Hyptis emoryi)

[SJsChickies]

I couldn’t find an appropriate thread topic to ask this under, so sorry if this is the wrong one. I want to plant some desert lavender around my run. I googled if it was safe for chickens (I know regular lavender is) but could only find that it’s “ok” but to be used sparingly? Does anyone know if it’s a whole lot different than regular lavender? I know my little monsters will eat it through the run and when they come out at night to get more exercise, so I want to make sure that if they decide to eat a lot of it, they won’t get sick. It’s supposed to thrive in my area so that’s why I’m looking in to it. Thanks for any insight!

 

[Mother of Chaos]

What a beautiful shrub! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condea_emoryi

The only reference I found other than Facebook entries and blogs, etc. was this from the University of Arizona Arboretum, and it doesn't get into chicken safety: https://arboretum.arizona.edu/midtown-farm-hyptis-emoryi-desert-lavender-salvia

So basically, no one has really researched this and published their findings.

Chickens are pretty good about avoiding plants that are bad for them. Perhaps you could buy one, leave it in the pot, and let them check it out. If they eat a lot of it and THEN appear a bit off, I'd put it on the No list. But if they ignore it, or eat from it and seem fine, I'd consider it safe to plant around the run.

 

[SJsChickies]

What a beautiful shrub! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condea_emoryi

The only reference I found other than Facebook entries and blogs, etc. was this from the University of Arizona Arboretum, and it doesn't get into chicken safety: https://arboretum.arizona.edu/midtown-farm-hyptis-emoryi-desert-lavender-salvia

So basically, no one has really researched this and published their findings.

Chickens are pretty good about avoiding plants that are bad for them. Perhaps you could buy one, leave it in the pot, and let them check it out. If they eat a lot of it and THEN appear a bit off, I'd put it on the No list. But if they ignore it, or eat from it and seem fine, I'd consider it safe to plant around the run.

That’s a great idea! I’ll do that! I’m going to the nursery today and they’re only $12. Do best in intense sun, and once established, survive on rain water alone. Definitely worth trying out! Hopefully they’re good cause I’ll plant them and maybe some Tuscan Blue Upright Rosemary along the whole side of the run. Give them a little more shade and some nice smells.

 

[Altairsky]

It's a plant the same family of Lamiaceae which includes basil, mint, rosemary, sage, savory, marjoram, oregano, hyssop, thyme, lavender, perilla, catnip, skullcap, bee balm, wild dagga, and oriental motherwort.
My chickens eat none of them so I guess your chickens won't find that plant appealing and if they do, it shouldn't be poisonous to them.

 

[SJsChickies]

It's a plant the same family of Lamiaceae which includes basil, mint, rosemary, sage, savory, marjoram, oregano, hyssop, thyme, lavender, perilla, catnip, skullcap, bee balm, wild dagga, and oriental motherwort.
My chickens eat none of them so I guess your chickens won't find that plant appealing and if they do, it shouldn't be poisonous to them.

Perfect! That’s my main worry is that it’s poisonous to them. Good to know! Thank you!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I have lilies all over my property and in the chicken run, which are supposedly highly toxic to chickens and guess what? They don't bother the lilies at all, except to lie in the shade under them, poop and scratch for bugs. The lilies love the chickens. Also my chickens free range most of the day and they never get sick so my conclusion is they are smart enough to avoid what's not good for them. Except hardware and styrofoam. They will definitely eat that stuff. I just don't worry about plants.

 

[SJsChickies]

I have lilies all over my property and in the chicken run, which are supposedly highly toxic to chickens and guess what? They don't bother the lilies at all, except to lie in the shade under them, poop and scratch for bugs. The lilies love the chickens. Also my chickens free range most of the day and they never get sick so my conclusion is they are smart enough to avoid what's not good for them. Except hardware and styrofoam. They will definitely eat that stuff. I just don't worry about plants.

The hardware and styrofoam is so painfully true anything non-edible they HAVE to have
Good to know about the plants! I’ll get more of the stuff that smells good then! I did notice when I let out one of the girls, she went for the desert lavender, bit off one leaf then walked away. She didn’t mess with the rosemary at all.