This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read our affiliate disclosure here.
Want to give your chickens a healthy and natural environment to live in? A great way to do that is by creating a chicken run filled with plants that are good for them! This guide will help you choose the best plants to grow in your chicken run, making sure your chickens have a happy and sustainable home.
YayImagesWhat Types of Plants to Grow in Chicken Runs
When selecting plants for your chicken run, it’s important to choose varieties that offer benefits to your flock while being resilient enough to withstand their foraging.
Look for plants that provide natural shade, nutritious snacks, and attract beneficial insects to support the ecosystem.
Hardy herbs, leafy greens, and fruiting plants are all excellent options as they are easy to grow and can handle pecking from your chickens.
Additionally, selecting plants that promote natural insect control or offer medicinal properties can further boost your flock’s overall well-being.
YayImagesBest Plants for Chicken Run
Let’s dive right into the plants that are perfect for growing in your chicken run, each offering unique benefits ranging from nutritious snacks to natural shelter and even pest control for your flock:
1. Sage
YayImagesSage is a robust perennial herb that thrives in most climates and is highly beneficial in a chicken run. Not only does it offer medicinal properties that can boost the immune system of your chickens, but it also helps to repel pests due to its strong fragrance.
Sage thrives in well-draining soil and full sun, making it a low-maintenance addition to your garden. Plant it around the edges of your chicken run, and your flock will enjoy snacking on the leaves throughout the year.
2. Lavender
YayImagesLavender is a fantastic plant for a chicken run, offering both aesthetic beauty and practical benefits. Its calming scent can help reduce stress levels in your chickens, promoting a peaceful environment.
Additionally, lavender is a natural pest repellent, helping to deter insects that could bother your chickens. With its drought tolerance and preference for well-drained soil, lavender is an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardening.
3. Chard/Kale
YayImagesChard and kale are leafy greens that are nutrient-dense, making them a perfect supplement to your chicken’s diet. They are packed with vitamins A, C, and K, which support overall health and egg production.
Both are hardy plants that grow well in cooler temperatures, ensuring your chickens have fresh greens during fall and winter. These plants are easy to grow and can be planted in patches throughout the chicken run for convenient access.
4. Thyme
YayImagesThyme is a hardy, low-growing herb that’s perfect for planting in and around your chicken run. It has antibacterial properties that benefit chickens by promoting respiratory health, especially during colder months.
Thyme grows well in full sun and requires minimal watering, making it a low-effort choice for any garden. Chickens enjoy pecking at the small, fragrant leaves, adding variety to their foraging routine.
5. Rosemary
YayImagesRosemary is another aromatic herb that brings numerous benefits to your chicken run. Its strong scent acts as a natural insect deterrent, helping to keep parasites like mites and lice at bay.
Additionally, rosemary promotes respiratory health in chickens, which is especially important in enclosed areas like runs. Hardy and drought-tolerant, rosemary thrives in dry soil and sunny locations, making it an excellent plant for warmer climates.
6. Oregano
YayImagesOregano is a powerhouse herb with strong antibacterial and antiviral properties, making it a great addition to your chicken run. Research has shown that oregano can improve the overall health of chickens, helping to reduce the need for antibiotics.
It grows well in full sun and well-drained soil, and chickens enjoy foraging on its leaves. By incorporating oregano into your run, you can provide a natural health boost to your flock.
7. Mint
YayImagesMint is a fast-growing herb that chickens enjoy snacking on, and it provides several health benefits. It has natural cooling properties and helps with digestion, which is particularly useful during the hot summer months.
However, mint can be invasive, so it’s best to plant it in containers or a designated area within the run. Its strong scent also helps deter insects, making your chicken run a more comfortable space for your flock.
8. Dandelions
YayImagesDandelions are often seen as weeds, but they are actually a nutritious plant that chickens love. Rich in vitamins and minerals, dandelions offer a boost to your flock’s immune system and overall health.
Both the leaves and flowers are edible, providing a tasty and natural snack for your chickens. They grow easily in various soil types and spread quickly, making them a convenient, low-maintenance plant for any chicken run.
9. Clover
YayImagesClover is a nitrogen-fixing plant that improves soil quality while offering a nutritious snack for your chickens. Chickens love to forage for its tender leaves, and clover is rich in protein, which supports healthy feather growth.
It also provides excellent ground cover, protecting the soil in the chicken run from erosion. Clover grows best in cooler seasons, making it a great addition to your chicken run year-round.
10. Sunflowers
YayImagesSunflowers are a fantastic addition to any chicken run, providing both beauty and functionality. The large, bright flowers attract pollinators, while the seeds offer a high-protein treat for your chickens.
Sunflowers are easy to grow and thrive in full sun, reaching impressive heights that can also provide shade for your flock. Once mature, simply harvest the heads and toss them into the run for your chickens to enjoy.
11. Squash/Pumpkins
YayImagesSquash and pumpkins are robust plants that chickens enjoy, both for the fruit and the seeds. The large, sprawling vines offer shade and protection, while the chickens benefit from the nutrient-rich fruits, which are high in vitamins A and C.
These plants are easy to grow in well-drained soil and thrive in full sun. After harvesting, you can feed the raw or cooked squash and pumpkin directly to your chickens, seeds and all.
12. Blackberries/Raspberries
YayImagesBlackberries and raspberries are excellent choices for a chicken run, providing your flock with fresh berries and ample cover. The thorny bushes create natural barriers and shaded areas, giving your chickens a safe space to forage.
The berries are rich in antioxidants, adding a healthy treat to their diet. Both plants thrive in well-drained soil and full sun, making them easy to grow with minimal care.
13. Currants
YayImagesCurrants are another great fruiting plant that chickens will enjoy foraging on. These small, tart berries are packed with nutrients, making them a great supplement to your flock’s diet.
Currant bushes provide good cover and shade in the run, helping to create a more natural environment for your chickens. They are relatively low-maintenance and thrive in a variety of soil conditions, making them a versatile addition to your chicken run.
14. Mulberry
YayImagesMulberry trees are a fantastic option for providing shade and nutritious berries in your chicken run. The trees grow quickly, offering ample coverage for your flock, while the berries are a favorite snack among chickens.
Mulberries are rich in vitamins and minerals, which support overall health and egg production. These trees are easy to grow and can thrive in a variety of soil conditions, making them a practical choice for any chicken run.
15. Fig Trees
YayImagesFig trees are another excellent choice for a chicken run, offering both shade and delicious fruit. Chickens enjoy foraging on fallen figs, which are rich in fiber and natural sugars, supporting digestion and energy levels.
Fig trees are relatively easy to grow, thriving in well-drained soil and full to partial sun. Their dense foliage provides shade and shelter, making them a beneficial addition to any chicken run.
16. Siberian Pea Shrub
YayImagesThe Siberian pea shrub is a hardy plant that produces small, edible seeds loved by chickens. It is a nitrogen-fixing plant, meaning it improves soil quality while offering a protein-rich snack for your flock.
The shrub can also provide shade and shelter in the chicken run, creating a more diverse habitat for your birds. This plant thrives in a range of climates and is drought-tolerant, making it a resilient choice for chicken runs.
17. Lemongrass
YayImagesLemongrass is a fragrant herb that chickens enjoy foraging on, and it offers additional benefits to their environment. Its strong scent repels mosquitoes and other pests, keeping the chicken run more comfortable.
Lemongrass thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and its tall, grass-like appearance provides cover and shade for your flock. Plus, it’s low-maintenance, making it an easy plant to incorporate into your chicken run.
18. Calendula
YayImagesCalendula is a bright, cheerful flower that offers both aesthetic and practical benefits to a chicken run. Chickens enjoy pecking at the vibrant petals, which are rich in antioxidants and can boost immune health.
Calendula also has antifungal properties, making it useful for maintaining a clean environment. It grows well in most soils and full sun, adding a splash of color and health benefits to your garden.
19. Chickweed
YayImagesChickweed is a fast-growing plant that chickens absolutely love to forage on. It’s packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, which can support egg production and overall health.
Chickweed thrives in cooler seasons and grows rapidly, making it a reliable food source throughout the year. Its small, delicate leaves and flowers provide a nutritious snack for chickens, while also improving soil quality.
20. Alfalfa
YayImagesAlfalfa is a high-protein legume that’s a fantastic addition to any chicken run. Its leaves are nutrient-rich, supporting healthy growth and feather development in chickens.
Alfalfa is also a nitrogen-fixing plant, which improves soil fertility in your garden. It thrives in sunny locations and grows quickly, offering a consistent and nutritious food source for your flock.
21. Amaranth
YayImagesAmaranth is a tall, hardy plant that produces edible seeds loved by chickens. The leaves are also nutritious, providing a variety of vitamins and minerals that support your flock’s health.
Amaranth is easy to grow, tolerating a range of soil conditions and thriving in full sun. This versatile plant offers both a visual element and a steady food supply for your chickens throughout the growing season.
22. Buckwheat
YayImagesBuckwheat is a fast-growing cover crop that chickens enjoy foraging on, both for its leaves and seeds. It is rich in protein and can help support healthy feather growth and egg production.
Buckwheat also improves soil health by adding organic matter and fixing nitrogen. This plant thrives in full sun and is easy to grow, making it an excellent choice for both your garden and your chicken run.
23. Broccoli
YayImagesBroccoli is a cool-weather crop that provides a nutritious snack for chickens, both in the form of leaves and florets.It is rich in vitamins, particularly vitamin C, which supports immune health and egg production.
Broccoli plants are relatively easy to grow and can thrive in cooler temperatures, making them ideal for fall and early spring planting. By allowing chickens to forage on the plants, you’re giving them a healthy and natural food source.
24. Bee Balm
YayImagesBee balm is a striking perennial plant that adds color and diversity to your chicken run. Its aromatic flowers attract pollinators, and the plant has medicinal properties that can benefit chickens, particularly for respiratory health.
Chickens will enjoy foraging around the plant, which grows well in both sunny and partially shaded areas. Bee balm is also a natural insect repellent, making it a helpful addition to your chicken run environment.
25. Nasturtium
YayImagesNasturtiums are beautiful, fast-growing flowers that bring color and a variety of benefits to your chicken run. Chickens love eating both the leaves and flowers, which are rich in vitamins and support healthy immune function.
Nasturtiums also have natural antibiotic properties, which can promote your flock’s overall health. This plant thrives in poor soil and sunny locations, making it an easy and attractive choice for your garden.
YayImagesPlants That Are Toxic To Chickens
While there are many plants that are safe and beneficial for chickens, some are toxic and should be avoided. Plants like nightshade, foxglove, and rhubarb leaves contain harmful compounds that can be dangerous if ingested by chickens.
Other common garden plants such as daffodils, tulips, and oleander can also pose a risk. Always research plants before adding them to your chicken run to ensure a safe environment for your flock.
YayImagesConclusion
Incorporating a variety of plants into your chicken run can improve the health and well-being of your flock while enhancing the overall environment. From herbs like sage and rosemary to nutritious greens like kale and chard, the right plants offer both food and protection for your chickens.
Additionally, be mindful of toxic plants that could harm your flock and take steps to ensure they are not within reach. With careful planning, your chicken run can become a thriving, natural habitat that benefits both your chickens and your garden!
You may also like:
- 15 Safe Flowers For Chickens That Your Flock Will Love
- 25 Best Plants To Grow In A Quail Coop
- 13 Amazing Plants That Repel Mosquitoes and Bugs
- 21 Most Beautiful Climbing Plants For Wooden Fences
Save it for later!
