Raising chickens is rewarding, whether for eggs, meat, or simply the joy of watching their daily antics. But keeping your flock healthy goes beyond just providing grain and water.
Herbs are a natural way to support their health, improve egg production, repel pests, and even keep your coop smelling fresh.
People have been using herbs in animal care for centuries, and modern chicken keepers are rediscovering their many benefits.
Some herbs act as natural antibiotics, while others calm stressed hens or make egg yolks a richer color. Better yet, most of them can be grown in your own backyard or containers.
Why Feed Herbs to Chickens?
Feeding dried herbs for chickens goes beyond just offering a treat—it’s about boosting their overall health. Herbs are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that strengthen the immune system, helping your flock stay resilient against common illnesses. Stronger immunity means healthier, happier birds with less need for intervention.
Certain herbs also support digestion and reduce stress. Calming varieties like chamomile or lavender help keep chickens relaxed, while mint and oregano aid gut health. A strong digestive system improves nutrient absorption, which benefits growth and egg production.
Herbs also serve as natural coop fresheners and pest control. Sprinkling dried rosemary or thyme in nesting boxes helps repel mites and parasites while keeping the coop smelling fresh. This natural method makes their environment healthier and reduces reliance on chemical treatments.
27 Best Herbs for Chickens
1. Oregano
Oregano is often hailed as one of the best herbs for poultry because of its strong antimicrobial properties. It acts as a natural antibiotic, helping protect chickens from common illnesses such as coccidiosis and respiratory infections.
Fresh oregano can be chopped and mixed into feed, or you can brew it into a weak tea and add it to drinking water. Many chicken keepers swear by oregano as a health booster, especially during times of stress or illness.
If you’re growing oregano in your garden, you can even let chickens forage on it directly. It’s hardy, grows back quickly, and requires little maintenance.
2. Basil
Basil is not only delicious for us but also a fantastic immune booster for chickens. It contains antioxidants and essential oils that protect against infection and support respiratory health.
You can feed it fresh by tossing a few sprigs into the coop or drying the leaves to sprinkle into their feed. Dried basil retains much of its flavor and medicinal qualities.
Planting basil near the coop is also beneficial—its strong scent helps deter flies and mosquitoes. Plus, chickens love pecking at the tender leaves.
3. Parsley
Parsley is packed with vitamins A, B, C, and K, making it one of the most nutritious herbs you can offer your flock. It’s particularly valuable for laying hens because it supports healthy blood vessels and egg production.
Chickens enjoy nibbling on fresh parsley, whether you chop it into their feed or toss in whole sprigs. It’s also a great way to encourage foraging behavior.
This herb grows easily in containers or garden beds, so you can keep a steady supply all year round.
4. Mint
Mint is refreshing for chickens and highly useful during hot summer days. It has cooling properties that help birds regulate their body temperature.
It also repels pests—flies, mice, and even snakes dislike the strong scent of mint. Hanging bunches in the coop or scattering leaves in nesting boxes is an easy way to make use of this herb.
Fresh mint can also be fed directly, and chickens enjoy tearing into the fragrant leaves. It grows aggressively, so planting it in containers is often best.
5. Thyme
Thyme is well-known for its antibacterial and respiratory-supporting qualities. It’s especially useful during cold weather, when chickens are prone to sniffles or respiratory stress.
You can dry thyme and mix it into feed, or scatter sprigs in nesting boxes for a fresh scent. It’s safe to use regularly and helps prevent illness naturally.
Since thyme is hardy and low-maintenance, it’s an excellent choice for chicken keepers who want a long-lasting herb in the garden.
6. Dill
Dill is rich in vitamins and minerals, and its feathery leaves are a favorite snack for chickens. It improves digestion, making it useful if your flock struggles with upset stomachs.
It’s also believed to enhance the flavor of eggs and support consistent laying. You can toss whole stems into the run or chop the leaves into feed.
Because it self-seeds easily, dill is a great herb to grow around your coop—it will return year after year.
7. Rosemary
Rosemary is a natural insect repellent and also helps improve circulation in chickens. Its strong scent makes it a good addition to nesting boxes, where it discourages mites and lice.
In addition, rosemary acts as a natural decongestant, which is helpful in keeping your flock’s respiratory systems clear.
Chickens usually don’t eat rosemary leaves directly because of their toughness, but they benefit from it when it’s hung around the coop or dried and crushed into feed.
8. Lavender
Lavender is one of the best calming herbs for chickens. It helps reduce stress and anxiety, which is especially useful when introducing new birds to the flock or during heat waves.
The scent of lavender also freshens the coop and discourages flies. You can hang dried bundles or sprinkle petals in nesting boxes to promote relaxation.
Chickens may not eat large amounts of lavender, but its presence in the coop environment is very beneficial.
9. Cilantro (Coriander)
Cilantro is excellent for detoxifying the body and is rich in vitamins A and K. It also supports bone development, making it useful for young chicks and growing pullets.
You can chop fresh leaves into their feed or let them forage on it directly in the garden. Chickens usually enjoy the strong flavor.
Even the seeds, known as coriander, can be offered in small amounts for added nutrition.
10. Sage
Sage is a powerful herb that repels parasites and supports liver function in chickens. It’s particularly helpful for flocks that free-range, since they may be exposed to worms.
You can use dried sage in nesting boxes to deter mites and lice or add it to feed in small amounts. Fresh sage leaves can also be offered, though chickens may peck at them less eagerly.
As a hardy perennial, sage is a low-maintenance plant to grow near your chicken area.
11. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is known for its calming qualities, similar to lavender. It helps reduce flock stress and promotes a peaceful coop environment.
It also has insect-repelling properties, especially against mosquitoes. Adding it to nesting boxes or scattering leaves around the coop is a natural pest solution.
You can also make a lemon balm tea to mix into drinking water for a soothing health boost.
12. Fennel
Fennel improves digestion and supports egg laying. Its seeds and leaves are rich in nutrients and help enhance yolk color.
Chickens often enjoy nibbling on fennel directly in the garden, so planting a patch near the run is a great idea.
You can also dry fennel seeds and mix them into feed as a long-lasting supplement.
13. Comfrey
Comfrey is a highly nutritious herb, rich in protein and calcium—two key nutrients for laying hens. It supports bone strength and feather development.
However, comfrey should be fed in moderation since it’s very strong. Small amounts, whether fresh or dried, go a long way.
It’s also a fantastic compost plant, so growing comfrey benefits both your chickens and your garden.
14. Chamomile
Chamomile has calming effects that help reduce stress in flocks, particularly during heat stress or noisy conditions.
You can sprinkle dried chamomile flowers in nesting boxes to promote relaxation and repel pests. Chickens may also peck at the flowers directly.
Another option is to brew a chamomile tea and add it to drinking water for a mild health tonic.
15. Marjoram
Marjoram is a close relative of oregano and shares many of its antimicrobial properties. It helps support the immune system and overall digestion.
Chickens benefit from marjoram when it’s mixed into feed or grown in the garden as a foraging plant.
It’s also believed to encourage better egg laying, making it a great choice for backyard flocks.
16. Tarragon
Tarragon stimulates appetite and aids digestion, which is especially useful for sick or recovering chickens.
Fresh leaves can be offered in moderation, or you can dry them and add small amounts to feed.
Since it grows well in most gardens, tarragon is an easy herb to keep near your chicken area.
17. Bay Leaves
Bay leaves are highly aromatic and excellent for repelling pests like insects and rodents. Dried leaves placed in nesting boxes keep the area fresher and cleaner.
They’re not usually eaten in large amounts, but chickens may nibble occasionally. The main benefit comes from their pest-repelling qualities.
You can grow bay trees in pots or small garden spaces and harvest leaves year-round.
18. Catnip
Catnip is more than just a treat for cats—it has insect-repelling and mild calming effects for chickens too.
It helps deter fleas and mites when dried and scattered in bedding. Chickens may also eat small amounts of fresh catnip.
This herb grows quickly and can even be invasive, so planting it in containers works best.
19. Stinging Nettle
Nettle is one of the most nutrient-dense herbs you can feed your flock. It’s high in calcium, iron, and protein, which supports strong eggs and healthy feathers.
When dried or cooked, nettles lose their sting and can be safely added to feed. Many chicken keepers dry nettle leaves in summer for use throughout the year.
It’s also an excellent tonic for molting season, helping hens grow new feathers faster.
20. Yarrow
Yarrow is known for its healing properties. It supports blood circulation and helps fight infections, making it a good choice for overall flock health.
You can scatter fresh or dried yarrow leaves in the coop or nesting boxes to repel insects.
It also has wound-healing properties, so you can use crushed yarrow leaves on minor injuries.
21. Calendula (Marigold)
Calendula is famous for giving egg yolks a bright, golden color when fed regularly. It’s also good for skin health and healing.
Fresh petals can be added to feed, or you can dry them for long-term use.
Calendula also repels insects and looks beautiful in the garden, making it a dual-purpose plant for chicken keepers.
22. Garlic
Garlic acts as a natural antibiotic and immune booster. It helps chickens resist infections and keeps parasites at bay.
Crushed garlic cloves can be added to drinking water in small amounts. Some keepers also mix garlic powder into feed.
Because of its strong taste, moderation is important—but used correctly, it’s one of the best natural remedies for chickens.
23. Peppermint
Peppermint supports digestion and has cooling properties, making it a good herb for summer care.
It also repels rodents, ants, and flies, keeping the coop cleaner and safer.
You can feed it fresh or dry, or simply let chickens peck at peppermint plants in the garden.
24. Hyssop
Hyssop is a lesser-known herb but excellent for respiratory health. It works as a natural antiseptic and helps clear airways.
Offering it fresh or dried during cold months can reduce the risk of respiratory illness in flocks.
It’s also useful in nesting boxes, where its scent discourages insects.
25. Lemon Verbena
Lemon verbena has a refreshing citrus scent that reduces stress and freshens the coop.
It supports digestion and can be fed fresh or dried in small amounts.
Scattering leaves in nesting boxes not only calms hens but also keeps pests away.
26. Chicory
Chicory improves digestion and nutrient absorption, making it a great herb for gut health.
Its leaves and roots can be fed fresh, or you can dry the roots and grind them into feed.
Chickens also enjoy pecking at chicory plants in the garden, which makes it a fun forage option.
27. Echinacea
Echinacea is best known for boosting the immune system. It helps chickens fight off colds, infections, and seasonal stress.
You can feed the leaves and flowers fresh, or dry them for winter use.
This herb is particularly helpful when flocks are under stress or during molting season.
How to Feed Herbs to Chickens?
The easiest way to feed herbs to chickens is by mixing them with their regular diet. Fresh or dried herbs like oregano, parsley, or basil can be sprinkled over feed, while fresh bundles of mint, dill, or thyme can be hung in the run for them to peck at. This not only gives them a healthy boost but also keeps them entertained and reduces boredom-related habits.
You can also use herbs to improve their environment. Adding lavender, rosemary, or calendula to nesting boxes helps repel pests, keeps the coop smelling fresh, and creates a calming space for hens.
For extra nutrition, drop sprigs of mint or oregano into their drinking water—especially refreshing during hot summer days.
Conclusion
Adding herbs to your chickens’ routine is one of the easiest and most natural ways to improve their health and happiness. From oregano’s infection-fighting power to calendula’s golden-yolk magic, these plants bring countless benefits.
Start with just a few herbs and see how your flock responds. Over time, you’ll find that these natural supplements create healthier birds, better egg quality, and even a fresher-smelling coop.
Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting
