Herbs for Flock

[Sherri1990]

Hi everyone! I have done so much reading about giving herbs to chickens. I understand that that they should not have more then 10% of their daily feed.... my questions is...can they have certain herbs daily? Such as oregano and mint? I don’t want to over do it. Any advice is greatly appreciated

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

I’d say if you keep total given within reason and offer some variety, you should be ok. I suppose you could effect egg flavor if you went overboard, but if that happen just adjust.

My flock won’t touch mint (which I have growing right outside my run) but your flock may like it.

 

[Sherri1990]

Thank you. Some are fussy eaters. Mine seem to love catnip....yet my cats won’t touch it....go figure!

 

[Tonyroo]

My chickens hate mint but they devour the clover seed pods.

 

[HenHouse Henry]

Hi everyone! I have done so much reading about giving herbs to chickens. I understand that that they should not have more then 10% of their daily feed.... my questions is...can they have certain herbs daily? Such as oregano and mint? I don’t want to over do it. Any advice is greatly appreciated

I feed my girls: Lavender ( I also hang it in bunches in coop and nesting boxes, Oregano, Chives, Lemon balm, Spearmint, Dandelions (my neighbor has a large lot and they grow huge) Rosemary (great bug repellent Too!). I don't feed every day, just a handful a couple days a week..

 

[Brooks_]

Mine like oregano. I have a large rosemary with oregano co-planted with it and they've made a hole of sorts in the middle (I keep trying to get a pic of that fluffy butt sticking out) not sure what they are after when they do that....maybe just bugs. They are also fond of hibiscus flowers. They go after the sage a bit, but not much....I guess they like the clover under it better.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Mine put a hurt on my oregano. Won't touch cilantro/coriander or rosemary (which they hurt mostly by way of the ducks trying to lay eggs under it, and breaking branches). The mint isn't established enough to know - I won't let them near it... The ducks like turnip greens and chard, the chickens don't.

No telling, its a try and see sort of thing, it seems to me.