Is planting Chamomile around the coop ok????

[kysilkies]

I want to plant chamomile around our chicken coop and was wondering if is good or bad for them??

 

[Portia]

I have chamomile all over my yard and the chickens free range in and around it all the time without any ill effect. I have no idea if they try to eat it or not, I've never seen them munching on it. One caveat though, my chickens free range and have access to a plethora of greens, bugs and whatever else they run across. Chickens in a run with access to only the greens at the fence-line will be more likely to eat those greens, regardless of what they are because they don't have a variety to choose from. For instance, my chickens never eat mint, yet when someone planted it in or around their run the chickens devoured it.

So, proceed with caution. Find out how it might affect them and if possible, provide a variety of greens around the run/coop so they aren't eating just one thing.

 

[kysilkies]

Oh, we let them out to free-range for a while during the day with lots of grassy yard including the bugs..lol...it's just one 4 x 8 area between the coop, a sand pile and a sidewalk. If they don't eat it, that would be even better! I could pick it then for tea!!!!

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

oooh great idea! I've been thinking about landscaping around the new coop next spring. So far I have down grapevines and sunflowers; chamomile would make a great addition to that combination.

 

[Portia]

FYI, around here chamomile spreads like wildfire after the first year. It is not a picky plant and will come up wherever it's seeds can find purchase. A pretty plant, but prolific.

 

[kysilkies]

We'll have to see how it spreads here...I've only grown it in a pot, just for the flowers for tea. I can't wait til spring!