Mint Flavored Eggs?

[Thorn07]

My flock has never shown interest in mint. They might like the bit of green, and they might try it, but I can guarantee you that they won't eat enough of it to make their eggs taste minty.

 

[Future vet]

S

My duck LOVE Mint!!!! I planted mint, Basel, rosemary and peas…. But the love the mint best of all. However, the seem to like it best when I pick it myself and throw it in their pool. They swim around and eat it all up!

Does your eggs taste like mint?????

 

[Acre4Me]

I did the same with paprika as an experiment & never noticed any change in taste, but the yolks def got deeper yellow.

Yes, paprika seems fine -no change in taste. I’ll buy the inexpensive paprika just to sprinkle some on wet feed. But we also grow lots of marigolds so we can feed the petals to the chickens.

 

[638858]

They don’t like any kinds of mint and many other types of herbs actually repel chickens.. put a bunch of freshly picked and chopped mint in a nest box. And you’ll see, it’s like garlic to a vampire..

 

[Liz Birdlover]

I've planted Mint, Lavender & Marigolds all around my coops & pens. I like the smell & heard it helps repel rodents & insects. I've tossed some into nestboxes along with wood flakes. My chickens do love chickweed & clover, but show no interest in Mint, Lavender or Marigolds. They don't dislike or avoid them, but I've never seen them eat any.

 

[Opiumbrella]

Hi all. I'm thinking of placing a 8 gallon planter that's full of mint into my chickens open run area. They haven't shown any interest in the plants when they are out free ranging but then they have lots of green options. Once the mint is locked in with them they might eat it down to the ground. Not really worried about the plant since mint can normally only be temporarily discouraged by fire. But it occurs to me that if they do eat a lot of mint it might affect the taste of the eggs. I sell a lot of my eggs so an off flavor would be a problem. Anyone have any experience with feeding their layers mint?

I have SO MUCH MINT lol. All over the place. (It spreads fast) and my chickens have never once eaten it. If your wanting to plant things for them to eat, nasturtium, oregano, clover, cucumbers are all great ideas.

 

[NewBoots]

What do you feed them any supplements???

They get a 16% protein layer feed with a big container of grit and calcium available. But I wasn't concerned about nutrition, just don't want to mess up the taste of their eggs.

However, the seem to like it best when I pick it myself and throw it in their pool. They swim around and eat it all up!

When I had ducks, they loved just about any green leafy things I'd drop in their pool.

Interesting thought @NewBoots! Mint eggs sound disgusting, lol.

Don't they just? I do add dried herbs to the coop and nest boxes, mostly when I'm doing a major clean out. I don't think the ladies care but I love the smell of the lavender and sage. I'll probably skip it, not worth the risk. But @Acre4Me, now I wonder if turmeric eggs would be good for deviled eggs?

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[Ashleecarol8287]

S

Does your eggs taste like mint?????

Nope I think they’re have to eat a whole bunch to do that!

 

[Ashleecarol8287]

They don’t like any kinds of mint and many other types of herbs actually repel chickens.. put a bunch of freshly picked and chopped mint in a nest box. And you’ll see, it’s like garlic to a vampire..

That’s odd to hear…. All 31 of my ducks love my sweet mint best out of all my herbs.