Learn how to create a thriving chicken garden with our guide to growing chicken-friendly crops. Discover plants, herbs, and vegetables that keep your flock happy and your garden flourishing.
In the wonderful world of homesteading and simple living, few things beat the joy of having a backyard full of clucking chickens. They’re not just egg machines and funny characters; they’re also our garden’s best friends. Yep, you heard that right—our feathered pals help us turn garden scraps into gold by recycling them into compost, making our veggies grow even better!
Our chicken coop and run sits right next to our veggie patch. Every time I step out to do some gardening—whether it’s picking, pulling weeds, or giving the plants a drink—the girls go bonkers. They know I’m coming with goodies! Sometimes, it’s those big, forgotten cucumbers or zucchinis, but most days, it’s a bundle of leafy greens and tasty weeds that they happily devour with gusto.
When I plan out the garden each season, I always make sure to plant extra. Why? Well, because our girls love to snack just as much as we do! Plus, it’s a win-win situation—we get our veggies, and they get their fill, and then their composted chicken manure is used to nourish the garden soil, ultimately yielding more food for both humans and chickens.
So, in this article, we’re diving deep into growing crops for your flock of backyard chickens. We’ll cover over forty super-nutritious crops that will make your feathered friends cluck with happiness. From vitamin-packed greens to aromatic herbs and nutrient-dense veggies, these goodies not only keep our hens healthy but also add a touch of excitement to their lives.
By including these crops in your garden, you’re not just feeding your chickens but fostering a beautiful symbiotic relationship between your garden and your flock. It’s like nature’s own harmony, where everyone benefits and thrives. It’s a win-win situation where both your feathered friends and your garden flourish together, creating a little slice of paradise right in your backyard.
40 Crops to Grow to Feed Your Backyard Chickens
To safeguard your garden’s potential and ensure a bountiful harvest, establishing a chicken-free zone during the growing season is best to keep your garden fenced off from free-ranging hens.
While our feathered friends are fantastic helpers, their curious nature can spell trouble for newly planted seeds and delicate seedlings. Their penchant for scratching and digging can destroy a garden quickly.
However, with a few precautions and a bit of strategic planning, you can create a thriving garden that meets the needs of both your plants and your poultry. So, let’s explore crops you can grow to keep your chickens happy and healthy while preserving your garden’s bounty.
Leafy Greens: Nutrient-Packed Delights for Happy Hens
Now, let’s start with leafy greens—the superheroes of the garden! These vibrant veggies are packed with all sorts of good stuff, from vitamins to minerals, and our chickens absolutely adore them. Just like Popeye with his spinach, our feathered friends get a real boost from munching on these leafy delights.
You can’t go wrong with classics like kale, spinach, lettuce, and Swiss chard. They’re not only easy to grow but are sure to be a hit with your flock:
- Arugula
- Cabbage
- Lettuce
- Kale
- Swiss chard
- Spinach
Leafy greens thrive in cooler seasons, making them ideal crops for spring and fall planting. Start by sowing seeds directly into well-drained soil and keep them consistently watered.
Once established, harvest by clipping the outer leaves, allowing the plants to continue producing new growth. As the plants mature, they may bolt (go to seed), sending up a flower stalk. Don’t let this go to waste—both the leaves and flowering parts can be fed to your hens.
Simply offer the fresh greens directly to your chickens or scatter them in their coop or run for a nutritious and tasty treat!
Herbs: Flavorful Additions to Your Chicken-Friendly Garden
Herbs are a fantastic addition to any chicken-friendly garden. Not only do they jazz up our dishes, but they also help keep our feathered friends in tip-top shape. And the best part? They’re super easy to grow, so you can have a never-ending supply of fresh herbs for both you and your chickens. Here are some to grow and feed to your hens in moderation:
- Basil
- Borage
- Calendula
- Cilantro
- Comfrey
- Dill
- Lemon balm
- Mint
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Sunflowers
To incorporate herbs into your chickens’ diet, consider planting them in a designated herb garden or interspersed throughout your existing garden beds. Snip a few stalks here and there, and toss them into the chicken run for your flock to enjoy.
Chickens love pecking at fresh herbs, and these aromatic plants provide added nutrients and variety to their diet. Plus, herbs can have natural health benefits for chickens, such as supporting digestion and boosting overall wellness. Experiment with different herbs to see which ones your chickens prefer!
Cover Crops: Sustaining Your Flock with Energy-Packed Treats
Now, let’s talk about grains and cover crops—the ultimate comfort food for chickens! These little nuggets of goodness give our feathered friends the energy they need to scratch, peck, and strut their stuff all day.
Not only do they provide a hearty snack for our hens, but they also help enrich the soil and improve its fertility. So go ahead, plant a few rows of cover crops, give your hens a few bunches, and watch them go nuts for these tasty treats!
- Alfalfa
- Barley
- Clover
- Mustard
- Oats
- Rye
- Wheat
Plant these in a designated area of your garden or as a cover crop between growing seasons. As the plants grow, occasionally cut a few bunches and toss them into the chicken run for your flock to enjoy. Once your cover crop has served its purpose, terminate it to nourish the soil and prepare for the next planting season.
Root Vegetables: Digging into Nutrition and Soil Health
These earthy delights not only pack a nutritional punch for our chickens but also help improve the soil and keep it healthy and happy.
Whether it’s carrots, beets, or radishes, root vegetables are a fantastic addition to any chicken-friendly garden. The greens provide a tasty snack for our feathered friends, and the roots also help aerate the soil and improve its structure. So plant a few rows of root vegetables, and watch your chickens peck away to their heart’s content!
- Radish
- Beets
- Carrots
- Parsnip
- Turnip
Sow seeds in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Plant seeds close together and thin out as they grow to maximize your crop for both you and your chickens. These small seedlings can be harvested and fed to your chickens as nutritious treats.
As the remaining plants mature, harvest the greens and toss them into the chicken run for your flock to enjoy. While my flock isn’t keen on eating the larger roots, slicing them into smaller pieces makes them more appealing. Experiment with different root vegetables and feeding methods to see what works best for your flock’s preferences.
Vegetables Galore: Diverse Treats for Your Feathered Friends
Including a variety of vegetables adds diversity to your chickens’ diet when fed in moderation. Planting extras of these veggies will keep your flock satisfied and entertained. Consider growing extras of the following:
- Cucumbers
- Melons
- Zucchini and Summer Squash
- Pumpkins and Winter Squash
- Cabbage
- Corn
- Peas (Fresh, not dried)
I like growing plenty of pumpkins and winter squash because these can be stored and fed as a winter treat. After harvesting, these hearty vegetables can be stored in a cool, dry place for several months. When winter arrives, slice open a pumpkin or squash and offer it to your chickens. They’ll enjoy pecking at the flesh and seeds, providing valuable nutrients and entertainment during the colder months.
Fruitful Treats: Adding Variety to Your Chickens’ Diet
Fruits can be a tasty and nutritious treat for chickens, providing additional vitamins and minerals. Here are some fruits that are safe for chickens to eat in moderation:
- Apples
- Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
- Melons
- Peaches (remove the pits before feeding)
- Pears
- Watermelon
Offer fruits in moderation as treats and not as a primary food source. Always remove any seeds, pits, or parts of the fruit that may be toxic to chickens.
Weed Wonders: Nutritious Treasures from Your Garden
Chickens can also enjoy a variety of garden weeds as part of their diet. Consider tossing a few bunches into the pen after weeding your garden. Here are some common garden weeds that chickens can eat:
- Dandelion: Chickens love dandelion greens, and the flowers are also edible.
- Chickweed: This low-growing weed is a favorite among chickens and is rich in nutrients.
- Plantain: Both broadleaf and narrowleaf plantain are safe for chickens to eat.
- Clover: White and red clover are nutritious for chickens and can be found in many lawns and gardens.
- Lambsquarters: Also known as wild spinach, lambs quarters is a nutritious weed that chickens enjoy.
- Purslane: This succulent weed is high in omega-3 fatty acids and is a healthy treat for chickens.
- Mallow: Common mallow leaves are safe for chickens and can be a good source of greens.
Before feeding any weeds to your chickens, it’s a good idea to positively identify them and ensure that they have not been exposed to pesticides or herbicides.
Chickens can also enjoy a variety of garden weeds as part of their diet.
What Not to Feed Your Chickens
While chickens can enjoy a wide variety of foods, there are certain garden crops that should be avoided due to potential toxicity. Avoid feeding the following foods to your chickens:
- Nightshade Family: Plants such as tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, and eggplant belong to the nightshade family and contain compounds that can be harmful to chickens if consumed in large quantities.
- Rhubarb: Rhubarb leaves contain oxalic acid, which can be toxic to chickens if ingested in significant amounts.
- Onions: Onions, as well as garlic and other allium plants, can cause digestive issues and even lead to anemia in chickens.
- Dried Beans: Raw or undercooked dried beans contain compounds that are toxic to chickens and can cause digestive upset.
- Moldy or Spoiled Food: Avoid feeding chickens any moldy or spoiled food, as it can cause digestive problems and illness.
After the growing season, remove any plants that are not chicken-friendly from your garden. Then, you can allow your flock to roam, hunt for bugs, and clean up the remaining plant material.
Nurturing Happy Hens and a Thriving Garden
While good-quality feed should be your hens’ primary source of nutrition, incorporating garden-fresh harvests can add variety and enrichment to their diet. By growing chicken-friendly crops, we not only nourish our feathered companions but also enrich our garden ecosystem.
Providing a diverse range of foods supports your hens’ overall health and well-being, fostering harmony between your garden and your flock. Introduce new crops gradually, observe their responses, and avoid overfeeding treats that can upset their digestive system.
Experiment with different foods, including weeds, vegetables, fruits, and other treats, to discover what your chickens enjoy most. Tailor their diet to meet their nutritional needs, promoting optimal health and vitality through a varied and nutritious range of foods.
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