If you have a chicken run or are planning to set one up, growing plants inside it can provide shade, nutrition, pest control, and enrichment for your flock. This list covers 32 specific plants that thrive in chicken runs, offering benefits like natural foraging, dust-bathing aids, and even health improvements. Whether you’re a backyard chicken keeper or a small-scale farmer, these plants will boost your chickens’ welfare and your run’s ecosystem.
1. Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
Comfrey is a nutrient-rich perennial that chickens love to nibble on. It’s high in protein and minerals, which can support egg production and feather health. Additionally, comfrey’s deep roots help break up soil and improve fertility in the run.
2. Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus)
Nasturtiums offer edible leaves and flowers that are high in vitamin C and act as a natural deterrent to pests like aphids. Chickens enjoy pecking at the bright flowers, and the plant’s sprawling habit provides ground cover and shade.
3. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Dandelions are a free and abundant source of vitamins A and K, calcium, and antioxidants. Chickens actively forage dandelion greens and flowers, which can help with digestion and overall health. They’re hardy and grow easily in most climates.
4. Clover (Trifolium spp.)
Red and white clover are excellent nitrogen fixers that improve soil quality while serving as a protein-rich forage for chickens. Clover also attracts beneficial insects and provides a soft ground cover that chickens enjoy scratching through.
5. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender produces a calming scent and contains natural insect-repelling properties, helping reduce mites and lice in your flock. While chickens don’t usually eat it, the plant adds diversity and shade to the run, improving overall environment quality.
6. Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
Chicory leaves are high in fiber and minerals like potassium, making them a nutritious treat for chickens. The plant’s deep taproot can improve soil structure, and its flowers attract pollinators that benefit the run’s ecosystem.
7. Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)
Sunflowers provide both shade and seeds that chickens relish. The seeds are rich in fat and protein, supporting energy levels, while tall sunflower stalks offer shelter from wind and sun within the run.
8. Mint (Mentha spp.)
Mint has strong aromatic oils that repel many common poultry pests like mites and flies. Chickens enjoy pecking at mint leaves in moderation, and the plant thrives in moist areas of the run, spreading quickly to provide ground cover.
9. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Parsley is packed with vitamins A, C, and K, which support immune health and feather quality. It grows well in partial shade inside a chicken run and is safe for chickens to eat fresh or dried.
10. Marigold (Tagetes spp.)
Marigolds are known for their pest-repellent properties, especially against nematodes and flies. Chickens rarely eat the flowers, but the plant adds color and can improve soil health through its allelopathic effects.
11. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Fennel’s feathery leaves and seeds are aromatic and can aid digestion in chickens. The plant attracts beneficial insects and provides partial shade while being hardy enough to grow in varied conditions.
12. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow is a medicinal herb with anti-inflammatory properties. Chickens may peck at the leaves, and the plant helps repel flies and other pests in the run while attracting pollinators.
13. Chickweed (Stellaria media)
Chickweed is a fast-growing ground cover rich in vitamins and minerals. It is a favorite forage for chickens, providing fresh greens especially during early spring and fall seasons.
14. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Basil has insect-repelling oils and is safe for chickens to nibble in small amounts. It also adds a pleasant aroma to the run and can deter mosquitoes and flies.
15. Wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum)
Wheatgrass is an excellent source of chlorophyll, vitamins, and enzymes, which promote digestion and overall health in chickens. It grows fast and can be cut regularly to provide fresh greens.
16. Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)
Sorrel offers a tangy, vitamin-rich leaf that chickens enjoy eating. It is hardy and tolerates partial shade, adding diversity to the run’s forage options.
17. Borage (Borago officinalis)
Borage attracts pollinators and produces edible leaves and flowers rich in trace minerals and antioxidants. Chickens enjoy the leaves, which have a cucumber-like flavor, and the plant’s hairy leaves can deter some pests.
18. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)
Alfalfa is a nutrient-dense legume high in protein and calcium, supporting egg-laying hens. It grows well in sunny spots and fixes nitrogen, improving soil health.
19. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lemon balm has a gentle lemon scent that can calm chickens and repel insects. It spreads quickly and provides a soft ground cover that chickens can scratch through.
20. Kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica)
Kale is a hardy leafy green packed with vitamins A, C, and K, plus calcium. Chickens enjoy the tender leaves, which support strong bones and immune function.
21. Plantain (Plantago major)
Plantain is a medicinal weed that chickens peck at for its anti-inflammatory properties. It’s drought-tolerant and can grow in compacted soils often found in chicken runs.
22. Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
Oregano contains natural antibacterial and antifungal compounds that help reduce pathogens in the run. Chickens may peck at the leaves, and the plant thrives in well-drained soil.
23. Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa)
Strawberries provide sweet fruit that chickens love to eat, along with leafy greens for forage. The plants form a low ground cover and tolerate some foot traffic.
24. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Thyme has strong antimicrobial properties and can help reduce respiratory infections in flocks. It’s a low-growing herb that tolerates dry, sunny spots and deters pests.
25. Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
Chicory is a perennial herb with deep roots that improve soil structure. Chickens enjoy its leaves, which contain inulin, a prebiotic fiber that supports gut health.
26. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Calendula flowers have mild antiseptic properties and can be fed fresh or dried to chickens to support skin and feather health. The bright flowers also attract pollinators.
27. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)
Sorghum is a tall grass that provides excellent shade and wind protection in larger chicken runs. Its seeds can be harvested as a grain source for chickens.
28. Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Catnip is known for its insect-repelling effects, especially against mosquitoes and flies. While not heavily eaten, it contributes to pest control and adds biodiversity.
29. Broad Beans (Vicia faba)
Broad beans fix nitrogen in the soil and produce green pods that chickens enjoy eating. The plants grow tall, offering shade and cover in the run.
30. Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)
Sorrel offers tangy, vitamin-rich leaves that chickens enjoy. It grows well in cooler climates and tolerates partial shade, adding forage variety.
31. Wheat (Triticum aestivum)
Wheat can be grown as a forage crop inside runs, providing fresh greens and grains. It’s fast-growing and chickens enjoy scratching through the stalks for seeds.
32. Fescue Grass (Festuca arundinacea)
Fescue is a durable, drought-tolerant grass that provides ground cover and shade. Chickens forage the shoots and it helps reduce dust by stabilizing soil.
How to Choose
When selecting plants for your chicken run, consider factors like climate suitability, growth habit, and the benefits offered to your flock. Plants that provide nutrition, pest control, and shade are ideal. Avoid toxic species such as rhododendrons or foxglove. Also, consider how well the plants tolerate chicken scratching and pecking; hardy perennials or fast-growing annuals are often better. Soil quality and water availability will also influence your choices. Diverse plantings create a healthier ecosystem and keep chickens engaged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can chickens eat all parts of these plants? Most listed plants have edible leaves or seeds safe for chickens, but it’s best to introduce new plants gradually and observe for any adverse reactions.
Will chickens destroy the plants? Chickens do scratch and peck, so choose tough, fast-growing plants or use protective barriers for more delicate species.
Are any of these plants toxic to chickens? None on this list are toxic, but always verify any new plant before introducing it to your flock.
How do these plants help with pest control? Many herbs like mint, oregano, and lavender contain oils that repel mites, lice, and flies, reducing parasite loads naturally.
Can these plants survive in small runs? Yes, many are suitable for container growing or small spaces, but spacing and sunlight must be considered carefully.
Do these plants need special care? Most are low-maintenance and suited to outdoor conditions, but watering and soil amendments can help establish them faster.
Final Thoughts
Incorporating plants into your chicken run enhances the environment for both chickens and caretakers. From nutritional greens like comfrey and kale to pest-repelling herbs like mint and oregano, the right plants create a dynamic, healthy space that supports natural behaviors and improves flock welfare. Experiment with a mix of perennials and annuals suited to your climate and watch your chickens thrive in a greener, more enriching habitat.
Related
- Gordon Ramsay Duck Noodles Recipe: Flavorful and Easy to Make
- Miami University Dorms Without Communal Kitchens: What to Know
- Problems Living in Miami University Dorms: What You Should Know