If you have chickens or are thinking about getting some, then you’ve probably been wondering if they can eat rosemary.
Luckily, yes they can! Chickens don’t just love rosemary flower buds; they’ll also gobble up the leaves as well. Chickens will eat both fresh and dried rosemary. This herb will keep them pest free and help them fight off diseases and any infections that might be going around.
Is Rosemary Safe For Your Chickens To Eat?
Yes, rosemary is safe for chickens to either, whether it’s fresh or dried. However, depending on is if it’s fresh or dried and how much it’s fed to them can be unsafe for them.
Fresh rosemary is okay for chickens to eat, but only in small amounts. Too much of it can give your chickens an upset stomach.
Rather than fresh rosemary, many people choose to dry the rosemary before feeding it to their chickens. Dried rosemary doesn’t give your chickens tummy aches and also has all the same benefits as fresh rosemary, such as improved eggshell quality and a natural dewormer.
Is It Healthy For Chickens To Eat Rosemary?
Chickens can eat rosemary, and it’s actually healthy for them. Rosemary is one of the best herbs you can give your chickens because it is high in a variety of vitamins and minerals that are important for their overall health.
In particular, rosemary is high in calcium, which helps keep your chickens’ bones and muscles strong. It also has vitamin A and B6, which help with digestion and egg production. Calcium also makes eggshells stronger, so feeding your chickens rosemary can help make sure they produce eggs with really strong shells.
Can Baby Chickens Eat Rosemary?
The short answer is yes, baby chickens can eat rosemary. However, there are some precautions and tips you should know before feeding it to your chicks.
Rosemary is great for baby chickens because it’s a natural antioxidant that helps with digestion, helps soothe your chicks’ tummies, and even promotes hair growth. You may have heard that rosemary can be toxic to pets if eaten in large quantities, but this generally only applies to dogs or cats. According to the ASPCA Poison Control Center, rosemary is not toxic to chickens or other poultry.
However, the stems of rosemary can be pretty tough for young chicks to digest. If you’re giving them fresh rosemary, mince it up into small pieces so they can chew it easily. You can also crush dried rosemary into a powder and sprinkle it on their food as a supplement!
How Do You Prepare Rosemary For Your Chickens
If you’re not already aware, rosemary is an herb that’s great for helping chickens with their digestion. It’s also a great way to add some variety to your flock’s diet, which can include more than just the standard chicken feed.
To prepare it, start by pulling all the rosemary leaves off the stems, and give them a good rinse under cold water. Then place them on a paper towel or cutting board, and chop them up into small pieces. If you want, you can leave them whole if they’re small enough that they won’t be a choking hazard for your hens. You can even throw in some sprigs of the stem if you cut them into small pieces first.
Once everything is chopped up or ready to go, mix it in with their regular food or give it to them as a snack! You can even sprinkle it on top of their water as well if you want to mix things up even more. And don’t worry about too much rosemary—you’d have to feed A LOT to them to cause your chickens any health issues.
How Often Can Chickens Eat Rosemary?
Rosemary is a very common plant for chickens to eat. It has many medicinal properties and can help chickens with everything from digestion to circulation.
Chickens can eat rosemary every day, however it should not be the only herb they are being given. A good rule of thumb is to give your chickens a variety of herbs each day so they get all the necessary vitamins and minerals their bodies need!
Conclusion
Chickens love to eat rosemary. In fact, that’s the only thing they seem to enjoy as much as scratching in the yard. Rosemary is also fairly easy to grow, and if you are going to let your chickens roam freely, it can be a great way to keep them entertained (and fed).
