Spring Chicken Planting Guide
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.
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.
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