Can Chickens Eat Lavender?

Lavenders are planted by some people for medicinal purposes. Lavender is one of the plants that gives off an attractive scent. 

If you have lavender plants at your disposal, you might be wondering if it is good for the chickens to eat the plant or the flower on lavender. 

In this blog post, you are going to discover if it is safe for the chickens to eat lavender plants and flowers. 

Can chickens eat lavender? Chickens can eat lavender. You can allow your chickens to move around the lavender plants to feed on them. Chickens will yank off the entire lavender plants when they are hungry.

Is lavender safe for chickens?

This is the first question I always ask myself anytime I discover a treat for the chickens. I believe this question is important for every chicken owner who cares about their pets. 

Lavender plants do not contain any toxic substance that can affect the well-being of the chickens.

Photo by Matthis

It should be known that lavender is one of the herb plants that comes with lots of medicinal properties.

Lavender oil is used in aromatherapy. Which means that they are good for relaxing the muscles and body through massaging of the body. 

It is very essential to make an inquiry about the new treat you want to serve the chickens. The reason is that it is pretty much easier to harm the chickens if you serve them with something poisonous. 

I also did a little research about chickens eating lavender. I discovered that there are some chicken owners who claim that their chickens also eat lavender plants. 

A member of the backyard chicken forum stated that he planted lavender closer to the Coop just to get rid of the Flies. 

Over time he discovered that all the chickens had finished off the lavender plants closer to the coops.  

Some other members gave a similar account of chickens eating the lavender plants and flowers. 

Can I put lavender in my chicken coop?

Lavender is in one of the herb plants you can put in the chicken coop to get rid of the Flies and other insects. 

The poop of the chickens in the Coop are going to attract insects and flies to feast on them if the coop is not kept calling regularly. 

You can put the lavender in the chickens’ coop to get rid of the Flies pending the time you have a chance to clean the Coop.

How do I introduce lavender to my chickens?

Lavender plant is not like any other treats you can introduce to the chickens. 

It is your chickens who will decide for themselves if they are going to eat lavender on the runs or within the immediate environment.

If you use the chickens to benefit from the medicinal properties of lavender plants, you can plant it closer to the runs or around the coops. 

The chickens are going to have pecks on the lavender plants if they found it palatable. 

How often do I feed my chickens with lavender?

If it happens that your chickens show an interest in the lavender plant, you don’t have to give yourself a problem about the amounts they are going to eat.

The chickens are going to eat the amount of lavender plants suitable for them. 

However, it is good to watch over them so that they are not going to go overboard with the plant. 

It is important to know that not all chickens are going to try out lavender plants. 

Can lavender affect the eggs laid by the chickens?

I don’t think lavender plants will have much effect on the egg laid by the chickens. 

Lavender plants do not contain Omega-3 fatty acid which can have a positive effect on the eggs laid by the chickens

Can chicks eat lavender?

Chicks can’t eat lavender plants. and it should not be part of the things you will ever think of serving these chicks as a treat. 

It chicks need medicated feed that contains all the essential nutrients needed for the proper growth of the chicks. 

You should go for medicated feed which contains a high proportion of protein which will enhance the growth of the chicks. 

Other treats you can serve the chickens

It is good to have iritis of things you are going to serve the chickens as a treat. The following are some of the things you can serve the chickens as a treat.

Apples

Apples are one of the healthy treats you can serve the chickens as a treat. Apples are a good source of fiber for the chickens. 

You just need to slice the apples into smaller cubes before you serve them for the chickens. However, apple seeds are not good for the chickens. 

Corn

Corn is one of the favorite treats of the chickens. Chickens are capable of eating both fresh as well as dried can’t if you serve them. 

Corn is a good source of carbs and heat for the chickens. You can also mix grinded fried corn together with the feed you serve the chickens to provide them with enough energy.

Bread

Bread can also be served for the chickens as a treat. Just make sure that the bread you are going to serve them is fresh. Bread should be served moderately for the chickens so that they are not going to choke on it.

Watermelon

Watermelon can be served for the chickens as a treat. In fact, chickens can also eat watermelon rind as a treat as well. 

You just have to cut the watermelon and serve the inner fiber for the chickens as a treat. You can get rid of the seeds before you serve the watermelon. 

Cooked beans

Chickens can eat raw beans. First a seed of beans is too big for the chickens to swallow and they contain Lectin which is poisonous to the chickens. 

But the case is quite different when the beans have been cooked. The toxic substance in it has been reduced.  

Peanuts

chickens can also eat peanuts when you serve it to them as a treat. Peanuts are a good source of protein for the chickens.

The chickens can eat raw peanuts and cooked ones. But cooked one seem to be more preferable for the chickens. 

Treats that are poisonous to the chickens

It is also good to know some of the trees that are poisonous to chickens especially if you have them leftovers. 

Avocados

Avocado should not be part of the things you are going to serve the chickens. Avocados have toxic substances on some of its parts. 

Green potatoes

Green potatoes contain a toxic substance and should not be sad for the chickens as a treat. You need to prevent the chickens from eating it if you have some at your disposal. 

Chocolate

Chocolate should not be part of the things you are going to serve the chickens as a treat. Chocolate contains a toxic substance that can cause a tummy upset in chickens. 

Conclusion

Chickens can eat lavender if you have them within the surrounding area. Lavender does not contain any poisonous substance that can harm the well-being of the chickens. However, it is good to know that not all chickens will eat lavender plants. 

Reference

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/they-ate-all-of-my-lavender.1259734/