It contains a compound called thymol, an ingredient used in pesticides – so you know it’s a powerful natural pest repellent. Animals can and do eat poisoned meat and become sick themselves. Rose bushes provide nice shade, and the chickens love to eat the petals that have anti-oxidant properties. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'chickenandchicksinfo_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_1',105,'0','0']));It’s a nutrient-rich herb that offers a wide range of health and wellness benefits for us, a few of which apply to chickens too. Would love your thoughts, please comment. If you do notice worms in your chickens' poop, check with a veterinarian to assess treatment options. While this may be true, my girls absolutely love chocolate mint leaves. The best part is that it’s also great for them and their coop. Celery - This vegetable is fine to feed your chickens, as long as it is not the only thing they will be eating. Then there are the general immune system-boosting properties of supplementing their feed with a nutrient-rich herb like mint – health benefits all around. Like ginger, cinnamon is a nice winter warming spice. The Claim is…mint added to chicken feed daily supports a chicken’s immune system.The Truth is…mint added to chicken feed daily can be detrimental to hen health.Poultry herbalist Susan Burek says, “I do not give herbs to my chickens every day. You’ve probably realized by now that I’m a huge fan of herbs, so it’ll come as no surprise that I love lavender too! It doesn’t have the same euphoric effect on chickens (that would be something to see if it did). ... (Ocimum basilicum), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Rosemary (Salvia officinalis), Mint (Mentha spp), Dill (Anethum graveolens) are al;l edible and can be safely given to chickens. I usually just add about a teaspoon to their feed once a day throughout the winter. The Claim is…mint repels insects from the chicken coop or yard. In fact, almost all herbs and spices carry their own unique health and wellness benefits and can benefit your flock. Used for thousands of years for its powerful medicinal benefits, you can’t go wrong with lavender. But it’s only a feeling, your temperature doesn’t actually drop as a result of eating mint. Mint is great for repelling insects and also thought to help keep your hens calmer–simply add some to your nesting boxes. However, it is unsafe to use essential oils around chickens at all because ingestion can be toxic, if not fatal. I’ve read quite a lot of debates about how effective mint is at repelling pests, from small parasites to rodents. Personally, I love the smell of mint. Your mouth isn’t actually any hotter, it’s just the receptors in your taste buds being “tricked” by the capsaicin. Chickens can eat mint, spearmint, peppermint, and other mint plants, yes. Mint – Mint is a fast and easy growing perennial. It is super fibrous and should not be fed without chicken feed or other garden treats. Mint is an excellent insect and rodent repellent. You can add to a nest box or you can feed it to your chickens. They tend to perform better and … Chickens are susceptible to respiratory conditions, I think it’s something we should all be proactive about by using natural remedies like herbs. I have 2 different types of mint i keep in pots it keeps the roots unable to get to the ground or they will take over the yard. I planted all kinds and varieties of mint around my coops 2 years ago. Particularly lemon balm and chocolate mint, and enjoy having a fresh minty smell hit me when I’m in my yard and there’s a breeze. If you’re looking to add a herb to your garden, mint is one of the best. This is just a touch of items that you can grow in your garden to supplement your flock. Basil is a popular culinary herb, but did you know that it could also be served to chickens? Being rich in nutrients, thyme is also a good immune-boosting food supplement. Bread. Some herb choices are bronze fennel, lavender, nasturtium, and parsley. Studies have shown this spice can improve egg-laying performance and increase the antioxidant properties in your hen’s eggs.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'chickenandchicksinfo_com-leader-2','ezslot_13',108,'0','0'])); Ginger is also known to help with respiratory issues, something chickens can be susceptible to – making ginger a good choice in winter months. The Claim is…mint deters rodents from the chicken yard.The Truth is…mint does not deter rodents.While some essential oils such as balsam fir or peppermint, in very high concentrations might repel some rodents if the strong scent sufficiently interferes with their ability to smell danger, a very determined rodent will not be deterred by mint oils. Something chickens often find themselves in need of as they munch anything that even looks like it might be edible. Avoid the sweet pea. Or you can get fancy. Mint also helps to naturally lower body temperature in humans and animals, so adding some crushed fresh mint leaves to ice water in the summer helps yo… The Claim is…mint repels insects from the chicken coop or yard.The Truth is…mint does not repel insects.While planting herbs around the coop makes for lovely landscaping that chickens are not likely to eat, herbs such as mint, lavender, and rosemary do not repel flies, mites or lice simply by growing near a chicken coop. Chickens are plain nosey and will investigate just about anything if they think its food! The answer to this will come as a surprise to many, but it’s actually no. If you’re looking to put some plants in your garden that the chickens won’t touch, have a look at this list: These plants are what we’ve found (from experience) that chickens do … Chickens enjoy eating edibles from this layer of the garden immensely. • Chocolate Mint - There are many articles written that say that most chickens will not eat mint. Grow these 15 herbs for chickens near the chicken coop. I guess the benefit is all for me! Chickens also destroy the mice that enter into the chicken coop. Remember that scratch grains should be viewed as a treat and not be mixed with the complete feed. It’s most well-known for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as aiding digestion and relaxation. The Truth is…mint does not repel insects. Duck Eating Habits. The Claim is…that mint has a cooling effect on chickens in hot weather.The Truth is…mint does not have a cooling effect on chickens in hot weather.While we think of mint as refreshing in hot weather due to its flavor and mouth-feel, mint does not have magical cooling properties, nor a cooling effect on a chicken’s body temperature. Apricots. They will improve immunity, keep them parasite free, reduce their stress, and prevent boredom. If you believe any herb has medicinal properties, you know that more often than not, the benefits relate to the effects of essential oils, not fresh or dried herbs. The reasons to grow mint plants do not stop there though, here are some other benefits associated with the mint family:eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'chickenandchicksinfo_com-leader-1','ezslot_9',107,'0','0'])); I’m sure there is someone reading this who hates the smell of mint, but you’re in the minority! I do love the smell and I love drying it and using it in tea too. When Do Wyandotte Chickens Start Laying Eggs? Garden pea – Flowers taste just like peas. Let’s take a critical look at the most common claims made about mint to see what they look like when held up to the light. (Yes, and Super-Tasty! Mint also helps to repel mice and is a great treat for your chickens during the summer. A credible herbalist will not recommend the use of any herb daily or indefinitely in a medicinal capacity. Mint grows rapidly – in many places, it is invasive. You won’t find fields of peppermint surrounding dairy farms or horse barns because fresh and dried herbs are not effective insect repellents. The misuse of herbs can cause those herbs to act indiscriminately and destructively, much like antibiotics. Sources and further reading:Why Does Mint Make Your Mouth Feel Cold? Herbs to Plant For Chickens. Copyright © 2020 | ChickenAndChicksInfo.com | As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I can’t get enough of the taste and the sweet, spicy aroma, so we always have cinnamon in our spice rack. Other Herbs and Spices That Are Great for Chickens. No shortage of articles circulate online about using mint with backyard chickens, but how much faith should you place in those claims when the health of your pet chickens is at stake? The newly hatched chicks will rub against the fresh herbs in their first few days of life which will help to impart them with protection from parasites and other nasties. The Truth is…mint added to chicken feed daily can be, The Chicken Chick’s Guide to Backyard Chickens, interferes with their ability to smell danger, very determined rodent will not be deterred by mint oils, experiment on the effect of mint on rodents, 17 years developing poultry-specific herbal protocols, 17 years raising and breeding chickens, guinea fowl, peafowl and ducks, Poultry magazine contributor on healthcare topics since 2008, Blue Moon forum advising herbalist 2008-2011, Guinea Fowl Breeders Association Board Member 2003-2008, Guinea Fowl Breeders Association Member 2001-2008. Things like cough sweets, nasal sprays, gum, etc. Chickens can eat mint, spearmint, peppermint, and other mint plants, yes. Cinnamon is an expectorant, it has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Catnip is a herb we have always bought and given to our cats. The Claim is…mint added to chicken feed daily supports a chicken’s immune system. Parsley – I wrote about the benefits for chickens eating parsley here. wow! While many chicken keepers worry about their chickens being too cold in the winter, what they should really be concerned about is their chickens overheating in the summer. Whether you’re growing it, throwing it around the coop, or feeding it to your chickens, it’s all positives. Mint planted around or placed inside the chicken coop does not discourage rodents because the scent is not strong enough to offend or alarm them. Chickens can eat a lot of different food items– don’t forget they are omnivores, so they love both meat and veggies. Here are some of the herbs and plants commonly given to chickens within the backyard chicken community: Known as one of the healthiest spices on the planet, it’s no surprise that putting a little ginger in with their feed has some health benefits for chickens. Growing herbs is a simple and economical way to keep your backyard flock healthy and productive. Now, if you want to do something fun and entertaining, you can grow the best herbs for chickens to eat in a grow box, which is a raised bed, 4 to 6 inches high is a good height, that also has a top made of hardware cloth. Chickens are natural foragers, so trying new foods is inevitable. Chickens eat bugs at all levels of the bugs life (adult, larval and egg). Grow herbs in your chicken garden and you’ll … Mint planted around the perimeter can help repel mice. What can chickens eat? I can share my own experience. Compared to a human’s nearly 10,000 taste buds, chickens have a mere 250! Image credits – Images by Dean Moriarty and S. Hermann & F. Richter from Pixabay. Chickens can eat some flowers and some are better than other for the befits they bring. Mint is one of the most aromatic herbs, and it’ll mask small amounts of unpleasant smells and odors. Mintcomes in many varieties, including spearmint, peppermint, chocolate mint and orange mint. i am new to chickens, so this post was great i already grow all of the herbs in pots Parsley is high in vitamins, can be used as a laying stimulant, and aids blood vessel development. This plant can repel mice because it has a stinging smell. 9 Medicinal Herbs for Chickens to Keep Your Flock Healthier You'll see … All kinds of greens can be planted such as lettuce, mustard, spinach, kale, and Swiss chard. If a mint garden could repel flies, every horse barn, commercial poultry house, and livestock yard in the world would have herbs growing around it! It keeps bugs, flies, and parasites at bay, as well as being an antioxidant and digestive aid for your flock. There are plenty of uses for herbs in the chicken coop. I love the smell anyway, so it’s a win-win. Mint. Marigold is also an … You may see that the chicken runs next to the mouse and does not eat the mice. Parts of the avocado should not be eaten by chickens. However, after reading about the benefits it also has for chickens, we decided to add some to our herb garden. It offers a number of health benefits and other useful applications. Mint does not cool us, chickens, and any other living things down. If you house your chickens in a barn or some other multi-purpose building, make sure any chemicals are safely stored away. Basically, it’s the menthol in mint that stimulates our brains to think that we’re cooler. The daily use of herbs is limited to rebuilding core health of sick chickens and is discontinued either when core health is restored, when an infrequent maintenance level is indicated, or when the herb fails to work for the intended purpose, signaling the need to explore at a different health regimen.”For more about the use of herbs with poultry, visit herbalist Susan Burek at her website or Facebook page, Raising Chickens Naturally. See the YouTube video where the mother mouse lined the nest for her babies with the fresh mint leaves! Because mint (all types) is a natural incestide and rodent repellent, it is the perfect addition to your chickens nesting box mix, especially where baby chicks are involved. Chickens will of course scratch around and eat many plants in the garden, including tender vegetable and fruit crops that you have to fence off. I don’t have a parasite problem, so maybe it is the mint. If you plant herbs like mint, catnip, oregano and lemon balm your chickens are getting some nice green plants to nibble on and you get the pleasure of gathering herbs for tea and other uses. But, let’s be honest, chickens do poop a lot, and in the summer there’s no mistaking that smell. Medicine is not offered to healthy chickens. Catnip is commonly used for its powerful anti-parasitic properties. Here's what I do: ... 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped mint (use dried if you have no fresh) This mint article was plenty helpful. But if you read credible scientific studies and reports, like this one on LiveScience, it’s explained in detail. Thyme is another herb that’s commonly used in remedies to help reduce cold, cough, and other respiratory issues. Avocado is a controversial one. I chop up the leaves and sprinkle them around the coop. Many fruits are safe for chickens, but the leaves and pits of an apricot contain cyanogenic … As for which herbs are the best to grow and get started with – mint is super easy to grow and at the very least, you’re going to have a minty smelling yard! Join Susan on Facebook at Raising Chickens Naturally. Extremely aromatic, mint is an excellent rodent repellent, and as such, I love adding it fresh to nesting boxes. It feels like it does. But, as robust as chickens are, there are still a few things chickens cannot eat. ... rosemary, oregano, rosemary, calendula, and mint. You can make a fence around the cage using the plant. While planting herbs around the coop makes for lovely landscaping that chickens are not likely to eat, herbs such as mint, lavender, and rosemary do not repel flies, mites or lice simply by growing near a chicken coop. Why Aren’t Eggs Refrigerated in Europe? Personally, I love supplementing my chickens’ diets with natural foods like herbs and spices. If your chickens eat the marigold petals, their egg yolks, beaks, and feet will become a gorgeous, vibrant orange color. It's just a question of mixing together different things you probably have in your pantry which are good for chickens to eat. There is a lot of misinformation regarding this online. Mice and Rats — Rodents don’t like the smell of mint. If you’re looking to add a herb to your garden, mint is one of the best. Many herbs benefit from a trimming. ). Still, if you want to add a few mint leaves, stems, or stalks to their water in the summer months – as many backyard chicken owners do – go ahead. Mint has a natural, cooling effect. Chickens love fresh herbs and mint is no exception. Chickens do eat mice but these animals do not always eat mice. It offers a number of health benefits and other useful applications.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'chickenandchicksinfo_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',118,'0','0'])); Mint is probably best known for its fresh aroma and cooling effects, but there’s a lot more to this sweet-smelling herb. It certainly doesn’t do any harm. Like a lot of the information you’ll find online if you go down the rabbit hole researching it; some people say it worked wonders for them, and others said it didn’t do anything. You can intersperse this layer throughout the entire chicken garden. My chickens tend to leave mint and other herbs alone in my chicken yard and while there’s certainly no harm in growing mint in the chicken yard, mint does not lower a chicken’s body temperature. One of the most powerful and effective benefits of eating mint is to aid digestion. When offering chickens treats, it’s important to only give starches in moderation. You’ll be family with one of the active ingredients in mint, menthol, as it’s in all kinds of products designed to help us breathe better. DOES FRESH OR DRIED MINT ADDED TO CHICKEN FEED SUPPORT A HEALTHY IMMUNE SYSTEM? Mint isn’t the only herb that’s great for chickens. However, … 1. I know for a fact that peppermint essential oil is great for repelling mice, I’ve used it myself and it worked. Menthol can also help alleviate some respiratory issues for your chicks too. A natural way to get rid of mice and rats is to plant peppermint plant, or anything in the mint family, around your chicken coop and run.You can also cut fresh mint and hang it in your coop and toss some in your nesting boxes.Pine is another scent that can help repel mice. Chickens don’t sweat like humans do. Ducks, like chickens, are omnivorous poultry birds. Chickens probably don’t even perceive the minty “cool” flavor due to their extremely limited taste buds. Lemon balm, catmint and catnip are also part of the mint family. Chickens and Chemicals Don’t Mix! In fact, they’re really not that bad. Obviously, the direct health benefits associated with mint are great. Cooling Watermelon Soup with Mint is one of my favorite hydrating summertime treats for my flock. They are avid browsers and foragers, and tend to chomp their cute little beaks onto anything that intrigues them. If birds free-range or have treat access, start by feeding their complete feed in the morning before they go out exploring. Add some dried lavender to your chickens’ coop or to their feed for an immune-boosting power supplement. Help chickens beat the heat with proven methods in this article. Much as with mint and lavender, adding some fresh marigolds to your chickens’ nesting boxes can help keep them insect-free. There are all kinds of mint you can grow and/or serve to your chickens, including chocolate mint, orange mint, catmint, lemon balm, catnip, peppermint, and spearmint. So, as the herbs grow, they reach the top of the hardware cloth. Mint – I have to be honest, I love the smell of mint (who doesn’t) so I grow it in my yard. When dried properly, this… It can be tempting to take a pale of leftovers out to your coop and dump everything right into their feed dish. Healthy, happy chickens lay more eggs. (Strange But True), Are Backyard Chicken Eggs Safe To Eat? Herbalist Susan Burek performed an experiment on the effect of mint on rodents in her chicken coop by placing mint around a known mouse nest;  the results were fascinating. The best part is that it’s also great for them and their coop. , Affectionately known internationally as The Chicken Chick®, Kathy Shea Mormino shares a fun-loving, informative style to raising backyard chickens.…Read on, The Truth About Chickens, Pumpkin Seeds & Worms, Raising Chickens Naturally- The Inside Story from Its Pioneer, Susan Burek, Rooster Fertility: The Tale of Max & the Scrambled Hatching Eggs. They will snack on both the leaves and the stems of this plant and seem to really enjoy it! ... Plant Mint. Much like when you taste a hot chili and feel like your mouth is on fire. When Do Rhode Island Red Chickens Start Laying Eggs? Anything you grow inside the run, they will eat, but you can plant lots of things on the outside of the run to keep the roots safe from their scratching. 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