Insect-Repelling Plants for Chickens & Coops
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Insect-Repelling Herbs & Plants for Chickens
You can incorporate these herbs in and around your chicken coop in a multitude of ways. Toss dried or fresh herbs into the coop and your flock will eat them quickly. Grow herbs on the outside perimeter of the coop and your chickens will consume the parts that they can reach. The plant’s roots will be safe from scratching hens. Tie up bundles of dried herbs in the coop and run to keep insects out of the coop. Here are some flock favorites.
Lavender: This relaxing and calming herb will calm your flock, just like it would for you. The highly fragrant flowers will help to repel insects. Lavender also has the ability to increase blood circulation for your hens.
Marigolds: Add marigold flowers to the nesting boxes to help keep them insect-free. Marigolds are strong insect-repellents. Your hens may eat the marigolds, and that’s OK. In fact, hens that eat marigolds will lay eggs that have bright, vibrant orange egg yolks. It will also improve the color of their beaks and legs.
Nasturtium: Nasturtium is an insect repellant that is attractive also. The pretty flowers of the plant can add to landscape used around the coop. Nasturtium is also an egg-laying stimulant. Provide it to your hens to help prevent them from becoming egg-bound.
Other Plants for Chickens & Coops
- Lemongrass can be grown to repel flying insects, like mosquitoes. Lemongrass can be used to create landscaping around the coop that is attractive and functional.
- Basil can also help to repel insects and can help keep your flock healthy. Basil will clear the sinus cavities and has some anti-bacterial properties.
- Rosemary, another highly fragrant and calming herb, can repel insects. It can also improve respiratory health.
- Garlic is especially good to feed to keep ticks, fleas, mites and other annoying insects at bay. Add smashed garlic to the waterers to provide insecticide value to the drinking water.
