This post is all about what herbs to plant around your chicken coop.
Best Herbs To Plant Around Your Chicken Coop
Keeping your chickens healthy doesn’t stop at picking the best feeders, and predator proofing your coop. What you plant around your chicken coop can make a surprising difference in the well-being of your flock. Certain herbs and plants do more than just brighten up your backyard, they help repel pests, support your flock’s health, and even make the coop smell better. Companion planting isn’t just for the vegetable garden anymore!
SEE: 10 HERBS TO ADD TO CHICKEN FEED
Especially if you’re raising chickens on a small-scale homestead, adding beneficial plants around the coop is a simple, natural way to improve their environment. From herbs that deter flies and mites to flowers that promote calming energy and boost egg quality, these low-maintenance additions offer true value. In this post, we’ll walk through the best herbs and plants to grow around your chicken coop—and why they deserve a spot in your coop-side garden!
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Why You Should Plant Herbs Around Your Chicken Coop
Planting herbs around your chicken coop is a natural and effective way to improve your flock’s health and comfort. Many herbs, such as mint, rosemary, and lavender act as natural insect repellents, helping to keep flies, mites, and mosquitoes at bay without the need for harmful chemicals. Additionally, their strong scents can mask coop odors, making your coop area more enjoyable for both you and your flock.
Beyond pest control, herbs also offer health benefits when chickens nibble on them or when dried and added to nesting boxes. Chamomile and lemon balm have calming properties that can reduce stress in your flock, while herbs like thyme and oregano support respiratory and immune health.
Best Herbs To Plant Around Your Chicken Coop
Always consult your local veterinarian with any questions you may have.
Here are some of the best herbs and plants to plant around your chicken coop.
Lavender – Repels flies and mosquitoes; calming for chickens.
Mint – Deters rodents and insects; fast-growing and cooling in summer.
Rosemary – Acts as a natural insect repellent; also anti-inflammatory.
Thyme – Antibacterial and supports respiratory health.
Sage – Helps prevent parasites; aromatic.
Lemon Balm – Calming and insect-repelling.
Marigolds – Deter bugs and brighten the space; petals may enhance egg yolk color.
Nasturtiums – Edible and have natural antibiotic properties.
Chamomile – Anti-inflammatory and calming; can be used in nesting boxes.
Lemongrass – Repels mosquitoes and flies; has antifungal properties and a refreshing scent.
Tips For Planting Herbs Around Your Chicken Coop
When planting herbs and other plants around your chicken coop, always confirm that it is something that chickens can safely ingest. Always double check that nothing is toxic for your flock.
For certain plants or herbs, consider using these pre-bent plant protectors. Chickens can still peck at the plants and get some tasty and nutritious treats, without destroying the whole plant. These also protect your plants from several other pests.
- 【Pre-Bent Design】 Our bunny barricades are made of sturdy metal pre-bent into a semi-circular shape, which is both strong and not easy to be damaged or deformed, and difficult for small animals to break through. It is also easy to install, saving time and effort.
- 【Easy to Install】 Put the 2 semicircular nets together by adjusting the width and then fix them with cable ties, then put the assembled fence next to the plants or flowers, and insert the ground plug to fix it, completing the installation.
- 【Free Splicing】You can splice multiple semi-circular nets together to make them taller. Or splice them together to make a protective cover with a wider range of protection.
Especially if you have a trench or hardware cloth skirt on your chicken coop, use planter boxes rather than planting directly in the ground. The last thing you want to do is make it any easier for predators to dig in your coop. This 10-pack of planter boxes would work great for planting herbs neatly around your chicken coop.
- WINDOW BOX PLANTERS DIMENSIONS – Includes pack rectangular plastic planters. The size of plastic flower planters: L16.6 x W7 x H5.9 inches, large enough to support any projects and ideas. Great for herbs, flowers, foliage, grass, cactus, succulents, ferns, arborvitae and more.
- DURABLE PLANT POTS – Made of high quality plastic, which is recyclable, lightweight and sturdy, our window planters for outdoor can be exposed to the sun, rain and snow without discoloration for a long-lasting use. The surface of the planters is smooth, so it is easy to clean too.
- ATTACHED DRAINAGE TRAY – This large plastic plant pot with drainage features a attached saucer at the bottom for proper draining of live plants. Which helps your plants to grow healthier.
Grab this free printable PDF and take it with you to your local garden center to help chose your herbs and plants, and get tips on where to plant each one.
Conclusion:
Adding herbs and beneficial plants around your chicken coop is a simple, natural way to support your flock’s health while keeping pests away. These low-maintenance plants not only serve practical purposes, like repelling insects and freshening the air, but they also add beautiful aesthetics to your backyard homestead. So if you’re new to raising chickens or looking to level up your coop, try incorporating these herbs as a totally beginner-friendly project.
Don’t forget to refer to the printable chart to help you choose and place the right herbs for your setup—your flock (and your nose) will thank you!
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