Create a Healthy Chicken Snack Garden Anywhere

My hens are a part of my garden, but they are not allowed inside the garden between the months of May-October when there is plant life growing. Anyone who has chickens know they LOVE to scratch and snack on everything! Which can destroy a beautiful garden within hours. Leafy greens are the filet of lettuce to them, so I make sure to grow them plenty of their own healthy snacks in their own square foot garden plot. Chickens still need their normal diet of chicken feed, but healthy treats in moderation is always okay.

Where to Plant?

Square foot garden plots are perfect for making a chicken snack patch. I have several square foot gardens within my landscape that I use. I try to grow most of my produce in raised beds like these. There is much less competition from weeds and are simpler to maintain. Each square foot can grow a certain number of plants. It is a great way to reduce space and grow many crops in a small area. Without taking up much space you can grow a variety of chicken approved snacks.

Containers and pots are great alternatives when garden space is limited or there are no fencing options to prevent your darling hens from prematurely eating all their treats. Container gardening is great because you can protect plants from wildlife, control moisture and nutrients, and shelter from extreme weather events.

When selecting a location most of these plants will do best in full sun and may need nutrient amendments throughout the growing season. Watch for signs of pests and disease.

Nutritional Plants to Grow in a Chicken Garden

Here are 12 plants that I grow for my flock of girls to provide tasty nutritious treats all season long. Leafy greens and salad bar vegetables are their favorite choice. Top benefits of offering these plants include vitamins, antioxidants, dewormer, and pest repellent for the girls and their coop.

Sunflowers- Not only are the seeds delicious, but it is also so fun to peck away at a giant sunflower head in the September sunshine.
Kale- I don’t know why kale ranks #1 among their favorite green foods. But it is super healthy with a lot of vitamins and antioxidants.
Strawberries/Raspberries- Sweet, summery and delicious. Chickens go nuts for these refreshing berries!
Pumpkins- This fall treat will keep your chickens busy on a cool October day. Slice open and watch them devour the seeds and pulp.
Parsley- A favorite herb of my girls that is nutritious and acts as a natural dewormer.
Corn- Summer sweet corn is fun to eat and so good!
Cucumbers- Very hydrating in the heat plus contain essential vitamins.
Swiss Chard- The chickens second favorite green leafy vegetable, healthy as well.
Purslane- I had never known this one until a couple years ago when I read it was a chicken favorite. I grow pots of purslane for them, and they snack away every piece of the plant.
Nasturtium- Beautiful and edible plant that all my hens love to chomp on. All parts can safely be eaten by chickens.
Fennel- Extremely nutritional plant your flock will appreciate in their garden.
Lavender- So many reasons to grow lavender: Calming effects on your birds, improves egg production, natural deodorizer, and deters insects.