Spring is the perfect time of year to get your hands dirty in the backyard and create an appetising foraging garden for your chooks. Not only will these Mother Hen approved plants, vegetables, flowers and fruits save you money on chicken feed, they will also encourage your backyard flock’s natural foraging instincts!
If you have the backyard space, you can create a dedicated poultry forage patch or simply grow and harvest from your regular vegetable patch or garden. Keep your forage patch or garden safe from premature pecking with some trusty poultry fencing or enclose it entirely in a versatile, meshed garden house.
Let’s dig into our chicken-friendly spring planting guide...
Spring Herbs for Hens
Herbs are quick growing, easy to maintain and provide you and your hens with nutritional, medicinal and ornamental value! Here are our top 3 herbs to plant for yourself and your chickens this season…
- Sage
Great for the overall health of your chickens, and also helps prevent salmonella.
Hen health benefits - Sage is a great source of vitamins A, C and B6 and calcium - essential for egg production!
Best spot to plant - A sunny spot near your chicken run, in your poultry forage patch or in hanging baskets from your coop.
- Thyme
Contains antibacterial properties and is great for the respiratory health of your flock.
Hen health benefits - Thyme is a great source of vitamins A and C and Iron.
Best spot to plant - A sunny spot near your chicken run, in your poultry forage patch or a planter pot that gets full sun during the day.
- Lavender
Apart from its calming properties, lavender is great for keeping pests away from your hens.
Hen health benefits - Lavender is a great source of vitamin A and calcium.
Best spot to plant - A sunny spot near your chicken run, in your poultry forage patch, a planter pot that gets full sun during the day or in hanging baskets from your coop.
Spring Flowers for Hens
Not just a pretty face! These floral additions to your backyard make great treats and feed supplements for your foraging hens. Here are our top 3 flowering plants for yourself and your chickens this season…
- Nasturtium
Thought to be a natural wormer, these flowers also have antibacterial properties.
Hen health benefits - Nasturtium leaves and petals are a great source of vitamin C and iron.
Best spot to plant - A sunny spot near your chicken run, in your poultry forage patch or a planter pot that gets full sun during the day.
- Sunflower
The protein and oil in sunflower seeds make them a very healthy treat, but your chooks will also enjoy munching on the leaves.
Hen health benefits - Sunflower seeds are a great source of protein, magnesium and vitamin B6. Sunflower leaves will provide essential fibre for your hens.
Best spot to plant - A sunny spot near your chicken run or in your poultry forage patch.
- Marigold
A natural antioxidant, which also keeps the pests away. Marigolds will also make your girls’ egg yolks bright yellow!
Hen health benefits - Marigolds are a great source of antioxidants in the form of flavonoids and carotenoids, and vitamin A.
Best spot to plant - A sunny spot near your chicken run, in your poultry forage patch or in hanging baskets from your coop.
Spring Greens for Hens
These leafy greens are just what the vet ordered for happy, healthy and foraging hens. Simple to grow and harvest in most climates and backyard sizes.
- Silverbeet
Packed with essential nutrients for your flock, and also brightens up their eggs.
Hen health benefits - Silverbeet is a great source of vitamin A and C.
Best spot to plant - A sunny or partially shady spot in your vegetable garden or poultry forage patch.
- Kale
This popular leafy green is packed with nutritional elements for your and your hen’s health!
Hen health benefits - Kale is a great source of vitamins A and C.
Best spot to plant - A sunny spot in your vegetable garden or poultry forage patch.
- Rocket
Rocket is a fast growing leafy green, perfect for small patches and planter boxes.
Hen health benefits - Rocket is a great source of vitamins A and K.
Best spot to plant - A sunny spot in your vegetable garden or poultry forage patch.
Spring Fruits for Hens
These set and forget fruit plantings make great treats for your chickens in the warmer months, especially after freezing!
- Watermelon
Plant your watermelon in spring to have on hand for when your hens need some cooling treats when the weather heats up.
Hen health benefits - Watermelon is a great source of vitamins A and C and super hydrating.
Best spot to plant - A sunny spot in your vegetable garden or poultry forage patch.
- Rockmelon
Chilled rockmelon skins with a little fruit left on make for an engaging warm weather treat for your hens.
Hen health benefits - Rockmelon is a great source of vitamins A and C.
Best spot to plant - A sunny spot in your vegetable garden or poultry forage patch.
- Strawberries
A fresh crop of strawberries or strawberry tops make an excellent treat for your hens.
Hen health benefits - Strawberries are a great source of vitamin C.
Best spot to plant - A sunny spot near your chicken run, in your poultry forage patch or in hanging baskets from your coop.
Whether you're keeping your chickens happy in spring or warm in winter, there are lots of ways you can prepare each season to keep your chooks cheerful. Come rain or shine, something we’ll never be able to control is the weather! This can be a worry and concern when thinking about the safety and comfort of your backyard friends.
Cluckily, you can prepare for all seasons thanks to our friends over at Chickenpedia. I recommend their brilliant Weatherproof Chickens course to all my readers! They have compiled a guide of everything you need to keep healthy chickens through the seasons (which is more than you think!) with a great set of checklists and downloads to keep. Dangerous conditions including dehydration and frostbite can be avoided with the correct information and actions. Whatever the weather, this course will help you keep your chickens happy and healthy all year round.
As chicken keepers, we want to do an eggcellent job when caring for our feathered friends. Many chicken keepers struggle to handle chicken health or behaviour issues, especially in the first few years of having a flock. Chickenpedia have comprehensive online courses on everything you didn’t know you need to know and then some more! From healthcare to raising baby chicks to feeding and behavior, you’ll find beginner-friendly courses that’ll give you the knowledge and confidence to successfully look after your chickens.
As a member, you will get access to ALL their fantastic courses. No need to wing it, become the ultimate chicken eggspert! Check out Chickenpedia and their amazing courses today!
Looking for more green ideas? Have a peck at our easy guide to sprouting seeds for your chooks here or learn how gardens and chickens can co-exist peacefully here.
