51 Safe Herbs for Chickens

Would you like to improve your chickens’ overall health and give their immune system a boost?

Fresh (and even dried) herbs are one of the best ways to do so!

There are many herbs that have wonderful health benefits for your chickens.

You can add these herbs for chickens to your daily chicken feed (fresh or dried) and feed fresh herbs free-choice.

Below is a list of 51 safe herbs for chickens.

 

 

1. Astragalus

Astragalus has many health benefits including immune-boosting, anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects. Astragalus is believed to prolong life and used to treat the following ailments: fatigue, allergies, respiratory infections and heart issues.

 

2. Basil

Basil is an excellent source of vitamin K, iron, manganese, vitamin A, and vitamin C. All help boost immunity, energy and fight illness. Basil is also a good source of calcium, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids.

 

3. Bay Leaves

The health benefits of bay leaves include their ability to detoxify the body, alleviate respiratory issues, improve digestion, slow the aging process, speed wound healing, protect the body from bacterial infections, improve heart health, reduce inflammation and prevent certain types of cancer.

 

4. Bee Balm

Medicinal Properties of bee balm include antimicrobial and soothing effects. It’s often used to treat colds and flu, making is beneficial for respiratory health in chickens. Bee Balm also has a soothing effect on the digestive tract.

 

5. Beetroot

Beetroot is a great source of fiber, folate, manganese, potassium, iron, and vitamin C. Beetroot has been associated with numerous health benefits, including improved blood flow and digestive health.

 

6. Borage

Borage flowers and leaves are commonly used for fever, cough and as a mood booster. Borage is also used for blood purification, to improve digestive function, to prevent inflammation of the lungs and as a sedative.

 

7. Calendula

Calendula flower is used to improve muscle health, as a detox and to reduce fever. It is also used for treating cancer and digestive upset.

 

8. Catnip

Catnip’s biggest health benefit is the calming effect that it has on the body. Catnip contains nepetalactone, making it a commonly used herbal sedative. This can improve relaxation, which can reduce nervousness.

 

9. Chamomile

The potential benefits of chamomile tea include reducing anxiety, slowing or preventing degeneration of the bones, reducing inflammation, cancer treatment and prevention, helping with relaxation and treating respiratory infections.

 

10. Chervil

Chervil is used for respiratory health, digestion problems, and blood flow. Juice from fresh chervil is used to treat infection and skin conditions caused by inflammation.

 

11. Chives

Chives are a nutrient-dense food. This means they are high in beneficial nutrients like vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that improve overall health and immunity. They also benefit heart health and fight cancer.

 

12. Cilantro

Cilantro is a good source of antioxidants. Cilantro also contains vitamins C, provitamin A, and K. It can be useful as a remedy for pain and inflammation.

 

13. Cinnamon

Cinnamon improves blood flow. Cinnamon is also fed as an antioxidant, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory.

 

14. Comfrey

Comfrey is used for digestive issues, diarrhea, persistent respiratory issues, cancer, blood flow and heart health. It contains high levels of minerals because the plant’s tap root reaches deep into the ground. Comfrey is also widely used for bone health and to repair broken bones and burns to the skin.

 

15. Coriander

Because of its antioxidant properties, coriander helps keep fungus at bay and improve overall immunity. It also fights infections and promotes heart, brain, skin and digestive health.

 

16. Dandelion Leaves

Dandelion leaves boost the immune system, provide antioxidants and reduce inflammation.

 

17. Dandelion Petals

Dandelion petals promote a healthy liver, provide antioxidants, decrease inflammation and improve blood flow.

 

18. Dill

By feeding dill, your chickens get a significant boost of vitamin C and important antioxidants that help the body resist infection. Dill is also a good source of folate (important for cell division and production of DNA), calcium for healthy bones, riboflavin for cell function and development, iron and manganese.

 

19. Echinacea

Echinacea has calming effects, improves blood flow, reduces inflammation and promotes healthy cell growth and function.

 

20. Fennel

The fiber, potassium, folate, vitamin C, vitamin B-6, and phytonutrient content in fennel, all support heart health.

 

21. French Tarragon

Tarragon contains numerous beneficial components all of which are beneficial in aiding in healing. Tarragon also has antibacterial properties, promotes heart health and decreases inflammation.

 

22. Garlic

Feeding garlic greatly reduces internal and external parasites. Specifically, feeding garlic to your chickens makes them less desirable to mites and poultry lice. It also reduces flies and repels mosquitos and ticks.  Additionally, garlic has anti-inflammatory effects, reduces the risk of cancer and supports a strong immune system.

 

23. Ginger

Antioxidants and other nutrients in ginger help prevent or treat arthritis, inflammation, and various types of infection. It has also been studied as a cancer preventative.

 

24. Goldenseal

Goldenseal is anti-microbial, anti-biotic and anti-inflammatory. It helps fight bacterial infections, and fungal disorders. It is known as a remedy for preventing parasites.

 

25. Hops Flowers

Hops flowers are used for anxiety, tension, excitability, nervousness and irritability. It’s also used to keep chickens’ respiratory systems healthy.

 

26. Hyssop

Hyssop is used traditionally to promote healthy respiratory systems. It is an expectorant, sedative and anti-spasmodic so it can calm the chest and aid breathing.

 

27. Lavender

lavender can be used to treat many different ailments, including: mental health, anxiety, feather loss, skin irritations, cancer and pain. It can also improve blood flow and improve overall skin health.

 

28. Lemon Balm

Lemon balm has a calming effect. It also soothes the digestive tract and boosts brain function.

 

29. Lemon Grass

Lemongrass helps prevent the growth of some bacteria and yeast. Lemongrass also contains substances that are thought to relieve pain and swelling, stimulate reproductive health and have antioxidant properties.

 

30. Lemon Verbena

Lemon verbena is a stomachic and therefore good for improving the health of the digestive tract. It is also great for soothing anxiety and as a sedative.

 

31. Lovage

Lovage is used for pain and swelling (inflammation) and for kidney health.

 

32. Marigold

Marigold is most commonly used as a skin treatment, specifically used for treating minor wounds. It’s a natural antiseptic and antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. Marigold has antibacterial, anti-viral, antifungal and immuno-stimulating properties that are shown to reduce eye infections.

 

33. Marjoram

Marjoram is used as a nerve tonic and a heart tonic, and to promote good blood circulation. Marjoram oil is used for respiratory issues, digestive disorders, nerve pain and paralysis.

 

34. Mint

Mint is a calming herb used for thousands of years to help soothe the digestive system. Mint contains an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent called rosmarinic acid. Not only does rosmarinic acid reduce inflammation from injuries, it helps relieve allergies and respiratory infections as well.

 

35. Nasturtium

Both the leaves and petals of the nasturtium plant are packed with nutrition, specifically, high levels of vitamin C. It has the ability to improve the immune system. Nasturtium also has the ability to cure bacterial and fungal infections.

 

36. Oregano

Oregano is rich in antioxidants. It helps fight bacterial infections and contains components that may help kill cancer cells. Additionally, oregano has the anti-viral properties carvacrol and thymol; two compounds in oregano that have been associated with protecting against viruses.

 

37. Parsley

Eating parsley can reduce the risk of cancers. Parsley has been shown to fight against allergies and inflammation. It’s an excellent source of vitamin C and is a good source of one of the most important B vitamins: folic acid.

 

38. Peppermint

Peppermint has the ability to reduce digestive upset, improve respiratory issues, fight bacterial infections and improve energy.

 

39. Pineapple Sage

Pineapple sage aids in brain function and relieves fatigue as well as stress. It also treats poor blood circulation.

 

40. Raspberry Leaf

Red raspberry leaves are rich in vitamins and minerals. They provide B vitamins, vitamin C and a number of minerals, including potassium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus and iron. These properties aid in strengthening immunity.

 

41. Rosehips

Rosehips have been used as a remedy for arthritis. It also helps the immune system to fight off foreign invaders and cancer cells.

 

42. Rose Petals

Rose petals have many uses. They are ideal as a natural skin cleanser, they act as antioxidants that fight free radicals.

 

43. Rosemary

Rosemary enhances brain function, has anti-inflammatory properties, improves digestion, prevents cancer and degeneration.

 

44. Sage

Sage contains a lot of healthy vitamin K. Sage also contains small amounts of magnesium, zinc, copper and vitamins A, C and E. It contains a lot of antioxidants, supports brain health and may protect against certain types of cancers.

 

45. Spearmint

Spearmint calms the digestive tract, is high in antioxidants, has calming effects and fights bacterial infections.

 

46. John’s Wort

St. John’s wort is most commonly used to enhance mood by reducing nervousness and poor appetite.

 

47. Stevia

Stevia improves bone health as well as prevents ear and respiratory infections.

 

48. Stinging Nettle

Stinging nettle is a great source of vitamins A, B, C and K. It’s also rich in calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and oleic acid. It can reduce inflammation, improve blood flow and reduce respiratory infections.

 

49. Tarragon

Tarragon is used to treat pain. Research has found that tarragon may inhibit Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli, two bacteria that cause foodborne illness.

 

50. Thyme

Thyme is packed with vitamin C and is also a good source of vitamin A. It also aids in respiratory health and boosts immunity.

 

51. Yarrow

Yarrow can be used to stop wound bleeding. It also has been found to improve circulation. Yarrow has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Yarrow can guard against bacteria overgrowth and improve digestive health.

 

If you’d like to start an herb garden, you can fit a generous selection of these plants into a 4×4 raised bed very easily. Herbs are able to grow well side by side and in tight quarters. They thrive in full sun or partly shaded beds.

 

Feeding Herbs to Chickens

These herbs can be easily fed to your chickens by adding them to their feed or feeding them free-choice. Feed everything in moderation. Overfeeding any herb can cause negative effects.

Herbs are best fed as a supplemental food source and shouldn’t be a staple food for your chickens.