Gardening with free range chickens is one of my favorite things to do. This year's flock newbies include 4 White Sultans and one very special Buff Orpington. Along with eating weeds and bugs, my ladies absolutely love to forage for some delicious treats in the garden. What can they eat when it comes to freshly grown crops you ask?

Well, let me share with you what I've noticed the girls go for in my raised beds. I do want to remind you that every chicken has different preferences. Included in the lists below are safe options that will keep your hens and roosters happy and healthy. Please make sure to scroll to the bottom of this post for a FREE printable!

 

 

April 8, 2020 - A picture of the babies taken on the day they arrived home. The first fresh green I tried feeding to them was a pea shoot. Interestingly enough they were afraid of it. I can assure you that they aren't afraid of pea shoots anymore. 

 

---

Herbs

 

Listed here is everything I grew in my very own garden this year. There are numerous herbs that have beneficial properties for your flock, so don't be afraid to experiment. Each chicken's preferences are different. I've read so many articles saying that chickens won't touch certain plants like lavender and peppermint. My personal experiences have proved different. I can't stress enough, try growing different things and plant what your chickens end up choosing as their personal favorites. 

 

 

• Basil - This aromatic herb improves digestion, supports immune system health and will also cause your chickens to lay brighter egg yolks. If your chickens don't seem attracted to the herb alone, add some crushed basil to the chicken feed. 

• Borage - I find my chickens are intrigued by the light cucumber flavor that my beautiful little borage blossoms have. They do seem to leave the prickly, hairy foliage alone(I do the same). If any of your chickens are suffering from respiratory problems, this immune system booster that's full of A and C vitamins will certainly help. If you decide to spread borage in your coop, it will aid in deterring pests. 

Tip: If your chickens don't have access to the plant, pick off blossoms and add it to your feed. 

• Calendula - When your chickens feast upon these gorgeous and vitamin rich petals, it will give a more orange color to their yolks. It is also an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. Turn it into a salve to treat prolapsed vents. 

• Dill - This herb will help give your chickens a healthy appetite, assist with digestion and aid them with their respiratory health.

• Lemon Balm - One of my Buff Orpington Dot's favorites. She will spend all her time leisurely sitting in the lemon balm, ripping leaves out while she digs for bugs around the plant. It is full of antibacterial properties while it promotes calmness and reduces stress. This is also a wonderful addition to nesting boxes and can be used in your barn to repel rodents. 

• Lemon Verbena - I had great success with lemon verbena this year. It smells so good and has antiviral properties. Along with this, it is a great fly repellent. 

• Chocolate Mint - There are many articles written that say that most chickens will not eat mint. While this may be true, my girls absolutely love chocolate mint leaves. They will snack on both the leaves and the stems of this plant and seem to really enjoy it! This herb is known to help lower body temperature and increase egg production. Even if your chickens aren't impressed with the flavor, keep it around your coop to keep rodents away. 

Tip: Add some mint to a bucket of ice cold water in the summertime.

• Greek Oregano: You can never go wrong with oregano when it comes to your chickens. If I had to pick, this would be my number one. It can help strengthen your chicken's immune system while fighting off a list of common illnesses with its anti-parasitic properties. Chickens will peck at bunches for hours, so it definitely keeps them entertained. This superhero of a plant helps battle coccidian, e-coli and salmonella. 

 

• Italian Parsley - This herb is loaded with vitamins A, B & C along with calcium and iron. It is an egg laying stimulant and helps with blood vessel development. 

• Pineapple Sage - I cannot say enough good things about Pineapple Sage. It was one of my favorite plants to grow in my garden this year. This herb is highly aromatic, so it smells sensational. It is an antiseptic and will help improve your chickens nervous system. I love watching them jump up to grab the leaves on this tall plant!

• Rue - My White Sultan Nellie absolutely adores rue. It is actually a natural worming agent for chickens and will help repel insects when placed in nesting boxes. 

• Rosemary - This herb is a powerful pain reliever, and also aids in respiratory health. Like rue, it is an amazing insect repellent. With its natural woody fragrance, it's a wonderful addition hanging around the coop. 

• Tarragon - This appetite stimulant is great to have on hand because it is packed with protein. It is a top rated herb with a high value of antioxidants. 

• Thyme - This herb helps battle parasites, stimulates laying and also promotes healthy respiratory systems. It can be easily stored, so keep it on hand. That way, you can use it all year round. 

 

Others: Bay Leaves, Bee Balm (Monarda), Catnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Chicory, Chives, Cilantro/Coriander, Comfrey, Dandelion, Fennel, Hyssop, Lavender, Lemon Grass, Lovage, Majoram, Oregano (Common), Parsley (Curled Leaf), Peppermint, Sage (Common), Spearmint, Yarrow

 

 

---

Vegetables

 

Although I focus heavily on the herbs for the chickens, I also make sure to grow a plethora of veggie treats. This year's hits included cucamelons, lemon cucumbers and romaine lettuce. If the duck doesn't get to the cucamelons, these are a fun little snack that some swallow whole. I assume they do this so the other chickens won't get to them first. The first time I saw my girl do this, I was rather surprised! The lemon cucumbers roll, so it's fun to watch them all chase after them. The chickens sometimes have to fight the geese for the romaine lettuce and snatch a piece away quickly. 

• Broccoli - This veggie is filled with vitamins A, C, E & K that are all super healthy for your flock. It also contains a high amount of calcium and iron keeping them strong and less prone to disease.

• Cabbage - Have you ever seen chickens attack a hanging cabbage? If you haven't, get ready to get some giggles. They love it! Hanging cabbage balls provide a great workout and hours of fun for your chicken. It has vitamins A, C and K along with a good amount of potassium and magnesium. 

Tip: Make a hanging cabbage ball for your flock. You won't regret it!

• Corn - A corn cob is appreciated all around. You can also have some fun and make popcorn for your flock (with no additives like salt). This year, I grew sweet corn and it is packed with lutein and zeaxanthin that keep chickens vision healthy. It is also filled with fiber and this helps aid in digestion. 

• Cucumbers/Cucamelons - Chickens really seem to look forward to cucumbers during the hot months of the year. These veggies are full of H2O to keep them hydrated and cool. They contain vitamins B, C & K as well as anti-inflammatory properties. When it comes to cucamelons, they really go crazy chasing after and eating these tiny little treats!

• Greens (Arugula, Kale, Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard) - All the greens are loved and adored by chickens. If you feed your flock dark leafy greens it can result in darker, richer yolks. Arugula is liked by some chickens, others not so much. It has a strong flavor so it's an acquired taste. Kale is a definite favorite and is filled with vitamins A, B6, C & K. 

 

 

• Ground Cherries - I make sure to take off the papery hull of each ground cherry for my chickens first. They seem confused by them, so it makes the treat more appetizing! It is a very sweet fruit that is a definite hit. Like cucamelons, it's so much fun watching them chase them around. Each ground cherry is filled with vitamins A, B & C. They are also a source of iron, calcium and phosphorus. 

• Melons - Every single bird on the farm goes absolutely wild over watermelon. They make the perfect source of hydration (did you know they are 92 percent water?) and nutrition for every flock. They also contain vitamins A, B6 & C along with being a natural intestinal dewormer. 

• Peas - Another treat that chickens enjoy chasing after. They contain protein, fiber and calcium. They are also filled with vitamins A, C & K. 

Tip: Add frozen peas to your chickens water bowl on those scorching hot summer days. They will love it!

• Peppers (Sweet) - Some chickens don't go for peppers, some do. It really just depends so I urge you to experiment for yourself. My girls do tend to enjoy picking on red bell peppers, so they are given the occasional treat. Just make sure the peppers you feed them are ripe. I've noticed when it comes to peppers, the sweeter the better! Peppers contain a good amount of fiber and vitamin C. 

 

• Squash - Chickens absolutely adore summer and winter squash. The seeds will actually help prevent internal parasite overload! Squash contains calcium for healthy eggs along with fiber and antioxidants. A variety in particular, like butternut squash, contains both vitamin A and vitamin C. A perfect choice for your feathered friends. 

 

 

Others: Asparagus, Beet, Beet Greens, Bok Choy, Brussels Sprouts, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery, Collard, Endive, Garlic, Gourd, Green Bean (cooked not raw), Parsnip, Potato (cooked not raw), Pumpkin, Radish, Radish Greens, Sweet Potato, Tomato, Turnip, Turnip Greens

 

---

Flowers

 

Who doesn't love flowers? They are beautiful, attract pollinators and can be an excellent source of nutrition for your chickens. They love to eat weeds, so they can actually help clean up your flower patch while having the occasional floral treat!

• Echinacea - My chickens absolutely love picking at echinacea/cone flower leaves. The best part of offering these popular perennials to your flock is that every part is edible! It will help boost immune system and can be used to make an extract that helps fight off parasites that cause coccidiosis. It also can help improve respiratory health.

• Marigold - Just like calendula (pot marigold) listed above, when your chickens eat the petals, it will make the egg yolks they lay a vibrant orange color. It also makes their beaks and feet brighter in color! The flowers also contain anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants. 

 

 

•  Nasturtium - Both the leaves and flowers of this peppery tasting annual contain a good source of vitamin C and iron. They have antibiotic properties and are a natural wormer. 

Tip: Plant nasturtiums around the edges of your coop for a pop of color your chickens will love!

• Rose - This perennial shrub contains antibacterial properties and the rose hips can act as an antiseptic. The rose hips are also a good source of vitamin C.

•  Sunflower - This late summer garden staple has both edible leaves and seeds that chickens go crazy for. It contains vitamin E, which is an immune system booster that can aid in preventing disease. This seeds from this annual also contain a good source of protein that is very helpful during molting and times of stress. 

 

Others: Begonia, Black Eyed Susan, Daisy, Day Lily, Geranium, Hollyhock, Hosta, Impatiens, Lobelia, Orchid, Petunia, Snap Dragon, Violet, Zinnia

---

Grains/Cover Crops/Other

Fresh and dried grains are the perfect addition to your chickens' diets. Growing grains as cover crops also benefit the soil health of your garden. It's also an added bonus how when your garden is ready to be tilled in spring, your flock can help with cleanup and pests that may be lurking.

•Alfalfa - This grain provides a wide variety of vitamins that include A, B, E & K. It's also a good source of calcium, proteins and fiber. It also helps encourage healthy and regular laying. 

•Barley - This grain is a great is full of nutrition including protein, fiber and vitamin B6. It's also a good idea to sprout this for your chickens during the winter, when there is a lack of vegetation for the flock.

•Clover - Back when I first started gardening, I went out of my way to buy a variety pack of seeds to plant a garden specific for chickens. This included clover, which is also a great cover crop for your garden. Clover is high in calcium, iron, vitamins A and B. It is an anticoagulant that can aid in your chickens respiratory and circulatory health.

 

•Hops - I really wanted to include hops in this list. It's my first year growing this edible vine. It's an excellent shade plant for your coop. It contains lupulone that is known to have antibacterial properties for chickens. The variety I grew this year is called 'Golden Nugget'. 

 

•Quinoa - If you are looking for a beautiful plant high in nutritional content, quinoa is perfect. It's rich in protein, fiber and calcium. It also has vitamins B and E.

Others: Amaranth, Buckwheat, Chicory, Flax, Millet, Mustard, Oats, Rye, Sorghum, Wheat

---

Hope you enjoy this video of Dot helping me weed and edge my flower patch. She loves digging for slugs and eating clover. We make a great team.

Are you ready to be cherished by all of your chickens? Time to start planning and planting! I really enjoyed watching my chickens forage through my garden this year. Seeing them run over to me every time I had arm full of crops was a great feeling!

What edibles do you like to grow for your chickens? If you have any questions, suggestions or ideas you'd like to share, please leave them in the comments below. Also, please enjoy the FREE printable below! As always, happy gardening. 

 

 

 

If you enjoyed reading this post, you might also like these:

• Raising Toulouse Geese

• 15 Fantastic Fall Garden to Table Recipes

• Five Fall Blooming Plants for Your Garden