what to plant around chicken coop

3 min read 26-12-2024

Meta Description: Planning your chicken coop garden? Learn what to plant around your chicken coop to deter predators, enrich the soil, and provide natural pest control. Discover the best plants, including herbs, flowers, and groundcovers, to create a thriving and safe environment for your flock! This comprehensive guide explores plant choices, benefits, and tips for a successful chicken coop garden.

Choosing the Right Plants for Your Chicken Coop Surroundings

What you plant around your chicken coop is a crucial consideration for both your chickens' well-being and the overall health of your garden. The right plants can deter predators, improve soil health, and even provide natural pest control. Conversely, the wrong choices can attract unwanted visitors or become a source of trouble for your feathered friends. Let's explore the best options.

Deterrent Plants: Keeping Predators Away

Predators like foxes, raccoons, and snakes can be a serious threat to your chickens. Certain plants, through their scent or physical properties, can help deter these unwanted guests.

Thorny Bushes: Planting thorny bushes like blackberry or raspberry brambles around the perimeter of the coop creates a natural barrier. The thorns make it difficult for predators to approach. Consider planting them a few feet away from the coop to prevent scratching damage.
Strong-Smelling Herbs: Herbs with pungent aromas like rosemary, lavender, and mint can confuse predators' sense of smell, making it harder for them to locate the coop. These plants also benefit your chickens through their medicinal properties.
Alliums: Onions, garlic, and chives release sulfurous compounds that many predators find unpleasant. Planting these around the coop can add a layer of natural protection.

Soil-Enhancing Plants: Improving Coop Surroundings

Your chickens' waste can quickly enrich the soil. However, proper management is vital. Incorporate plants known for improving soil health to help manage manure and prevent nutrient runoff.

Nitrogen-Fixing Plants: Legumes such as clover, alfalfa, and beans pull nitrogen from the air and add it to the soil. This helps replenish nutrients depleted by your chickens’ activity.
Groundcovers: Low-growing plants like creeping thyme or chamomile prevent soil erosion and help keep the area around the coop tidy. They also provide a natural weed suppressant, reducing the need for harmful chemicals.

Edible and Beneficial Plants for Your Chickens

Some plants benefit your chickens directly, serving as a source of extra nutrition or as a natural pest control.

Chickweed and Plantain: These are readily-eaten weeds offering supplemental nutrition for your flock. They're high in nutrients and are safe for consumption.
Comfrey: Known for its nitrogen-fixing properties, comfrey is also a great source of minerals for your soil – which indirectly benefits your chickens.
Insect-Repelling Plants: Marigolds and chrysanthemums repel many common garden pests, reducing the need for chemical insecticides.

What NOT to Plant Near Your Chicken Coop

Just as important as choosing the right plants is knowing which ones to avoid.

Poisonous Plants: This is critically important. Stay away from plants toxic to chickens, such as nightshade, foxglove, and oleander. Always research before planting anything new.
Plants with Thorns Near the Coop: While thorny bushes are excellent deterrents further out, keep them at a distance from the coop to prevent accidental injury to your birds.
Plants That Attract Pests: Avoid plants that might attract pests your chickens could prey on or that might transmit diseases.

Designing Your Chicken Coop Garden: Practical Tips

Plant in Layers: Combine tall plants, shrubs, and groundcovers to create a visually appealing and effective barrier.
Consider Sunlight and Shade: Ensure your plant choices are suitable for the amount of sunlight your coop area receives.
Maintain Regularly: Regular weeding and pruning will keep your chicken coop garden healthy and productive.
Observe Your Flock: Pay close attention to your chickens' behaviour near the plants you've selected. If they show avoidance or distress, consider replacing them.

By carefully selecting what you plant around your chicken coop, you can create a safe, productive, and aesthetically pleasing environment for both your chickens and your garden. Remember to prioritize the safety and well-being of your flock above all else.