Lemon Balm, Thyme, and Oregano

[jenn-]

Safe to feed the green stuff to them or only to be used as smelly stuff in the nesting boxes? My lemon balm has gone insane and I would love to offer the girls something green to eat in their dirt floor of a run.

 

[Ozarkhomesteader]

mine eat lemon balm, but haven't tried the other 2...i never have enough to share
It won't hurt them, so try it and see if they like it!

 

[Moojoo]

I used to have lemon balm in my backyard. The chickens ate it all, and they're still alive and kickin, so it would appear to be safe. I have loads of oregano taking over my garden and have given it to my hens, but they have no interest. I presume it's safe, they've taken a few bites, but we have apparently much tastier weeds and the oregano gets left.

I don't see any reason thyme wouldn't be safe, I just don't have any to give my hens. It's pretty strongly flavored, so my guess would be that they wouldn't particularly like it, but I can't think of any reason not to give them some and let them decide.

I toss all the weeds I pull back to my hens. They like all of them, especially the annoying spikey ones (we have 3 or 4 different ones that I don't know what they are) and dandelions.