Creeping charlie is an invasive, for sure. It is all over my lawn, and creeps into the garden. While I hate the invasive nature of the plant, I have learned to appreciate the good aspects of the plant:
It smells good. Kind of a pungent minty aroma. Some might find it too strong, but I like it's smell, especially after it's been mowed. Ever seen insect damage to CC??? Neither have I. Therefore, I believe it is a beneficial aromatic to include in the DL in coop and run, and even in nest boxes.
It makes a good scrub brush. When I clean the waterers, I add a drop or two of liquid soap, grab a fist full of CC and use it to scrub my waterers. Totally biodegradable scrubbies always at my disposal.
The birds eat it... sometimes. I wonder if it has some antihelminthic properties. On occasion, I see the birds munching it down, other times, they leave it in favor of grass and clover.
It makes a nice ground cover to add diversity to a lawn. Want a lawn that is ALL grass? It makes poor fodder for the chickens. A lawn that is all grass is also more prone to Japanese beetle attack. I've never been overly concerned about what grows in my lawn, though I do dig out thistle and burdock. Dandelion, CC, plantain, thyme, white and red clover help make my lawn green! They provide varied forage for the flock, are not as prone to browning during drought, the biodiversity makes my lawn less prone to insect or disease attack. Plantain is used for a healing salve, and I recently discovered white yarrow growing in my lawn... yet an other healing herb.
I strongly suggest that chemical herbicides be avoided.
They can tear up quite a bit of ground in short order. hmmm....a good argument for a handful of hens.
