6 Best Nesting Herbs For Attracting Laying Hens Old Farmers Swear By
Discover 6 herbs old farmers use to attract hens to nesting boxes. These aromatic plants encourage laying and create a calm, pest-free coop environment.
You walk out to the coop, lift the lid on the nesting box, and instead of just straw and eggs, you’re hit with a gentle, pleasant aroma. This small touch isn’t just for your benefit; it’s one of the oldest and simplest tricks for encouraging hens to lay and keeping them healthy. Adding specific herbs to your nesting boxes is a low-effort, high-impact way to support a productive and happy flock.
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Why Herbs in Nesting Boxes Boost Hen Health
Adding a handful of dried herbs to your nesting material does more than just make the coop smell better. It’s a functional strategy that leverages the natural properties of plants to create a healthier environment for your laying hens. Think of it as preventative care that works around the clock.
Many common herbs have powerful aromatic compounds that naturally repel pests like mites, lice, and flies. These pests are a constant source of stress and irritation for a flock, and a stressed hen is often a poor layer. By making the nesting box an uninviting place for bugs, you create a safe, calm sanctuary where a hen feels secure enough to lay her eggs.
Furthermore, some herbs offer aromatherapy benefits, helping to calm anxious birds and reduce pecking order squabbles. Hens will also occasionally nibble on the dried herbs, ingesting beneficial compounds that can support their immune systems, improve digestion, and even enhance the nutritional quality of their eggs. It’s a simple system where the hens do the work for you.
English Lavender: A Calming Nesting Box Addition
Lavender is probably the most well-known herb for relaxation, and its effects extend to your flock. Its strong, pleasant scent has a documented calming effect, which is incredibly useful in the sometimes-chaotic environment of a chicken coop. A calm hen is less likely to become egg-bound or engage in stress-induced behaviors like feather picking.
This calming property is especially valuable when you’re integrating new birds into the flock or when the pecking order is being re-established. Sprinkling dried lavender buds into the nesting boxes and around the coop can lower the overall tension. Hens that feel secure are far more likely to lay consistently in the boxes you provide, rather than finding a secret spot behind a woodpile.
Get fragrant, dried lavender buds for wedding tosses, crafts, and sachets. This 1/2 pound package of aromatic lavender is perfect for creating calming and soothing items for your home.
Beyond its calming scent, lavender is also a fantastic insect repellent. The same aromatic oils that soothe your hens are despised by flies, mites, and even mosquitoes. This makes the nesting box a more hygienic and comfortable place, directly contributing to the hen’s well-being and, by extension, her productivity.
Calendula Flowers for Yolk Color and Pest Control
If you want eggs with deep, vibrant orange yolks, calendula is the herb to add. The bright orange and yellow petals of the calendula flower are packed with carotenoids, specifically xanthophyll, which is a natural pigment. When hens nibble on these petals, the pigment is transferred to their egg yolks.
This isn’t just about aesthetics. A richly colored yolk is often an indicator of a diverse and nutrient-rich diet. While the calendula itself adds a nutritional boost, the practice encourages you to think about the flock’s overall forage. It’s a visual confirmation that you’re providing a diet that goes beyond basic feed.
Calendula also serves a practical purpose as a pest deterrent. It has properties that help repel lice and mites, two of the most persistent pests in any coop. Its resinous, slightly sticky flowers make it a less-than-ideal environment for insects looking to make a home in your nesting material.
Spearmint: A Natural Rodent and Insect Repellent
Nothing sends rodents scurrying like the powerful scent of mint. Mice and rats have sensitive noses and find the strong, sharp aroma of spearmint overwhelming and unpleasant. Sprinkling dried, crushed spearmint leaves in nesting boxes and around the coop perimeter is an old-timer’s trick for discouraging vermin.
This is a critical benefit, as rodents are not just a nuisance; they are notorious egg thieves and can carry diseases that threaten your entire flock. Using mint is a natural, non-toxic way to make your coop a less attractive target. It’s far safer than putting out poisons or traps that your own birds could get into.
Mint is also a broad-spectrum insect repellent, effective against flies, ants, and mites. Some chicken keepers also believe its strong scent can help support respiratory health in birds by keeping airways clear. Whether that’s true or not, its proven effectiveness against pests is reason enough to make it a staple in your nesting boxes.
Common Oregano: An Immune-Boosting Nest Box Herb
Oregano is a powerhouse of natural health benefits. It’s packed with antioxidants and boasts natural antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties. When hens ingest bits of dried oregano from their nesting material, they get a small but consistent dose of these beneficial compounds.
Think of it as a daily supplement that supports their immune systems from the inside out. A flock with stronger natural defenses is better equipped to fight off common ailments without the need for intervention. Healthy hens lay more eggs, so anything you can do to bolster their baseline health is a direct investment in your egg supply.
While adding it to the nesting box is great, oregano is one herb that provides even more benefit when offered as a fresh supplement. Tossing a few fresh sprigs into the run will have the flock devouring it in minutes. It’s a simple way to get its immune-boosting properties directly into their systems.
German Chamomile to Reduce Coop Stress and Anxiety
Much like lavender, German chamomile is renowned for its gentle, calming properties. It works as a mild sedative and muscle relaxant, making it perfect for reducing stress and promoting a sense of well-being within the flock. It’s particularly useful for broody hens, as it can help soothe their hormonal agitation.
If you have a particularly flighty or anxious hen, chamomile can make a noticeable difference. A stressed bird’s system is flooded with cortisol, which interferes with egg production. By creating a more serene environment with calming herbs like chamomile, you’re directly addressing a root cause of inconsistent laying.
Chamomile also has anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties that can help keep the nesting box clean and hygienic. Hens that are comfortable and feel safe in their nesting area will return to it day after day. This consistency is exactly what you want when it comes to egg collection.
Using Comfrey Leaf for Health and Eggshell Strength
Comfrey is a bit of a controversial plant, but it has been used in farm settings for generations for good reason. Dried comfrey leaf is exceptionally high in protein, potassium, and, most importantly for laying hens, calcium. When chickens peck at and consume comfrey, it contributes directly to their skeletal health and eggshell quality.
Weak, brittle eggshells are a common problem, often pointing to a calcium deficiency. While providing free-choice oyster shell is the primary solution, supplementing with calcium-rich herbs like comfrey can provide an additional, easily absorbed source. Stronger shells mean fewer broken eggs in the nest box and healthier birds overall.
The key is to use it in moderation. A sprinkle of dried, crushed comfrey leaf in the nesting blend is all you need. It’s a traditional remedy that addresses a very practical problem, turning the nesting box into a place of both comfort and nutritional support.
Creating Your Own Custom Nesting Herb Blend
You don’t need to buy a pre-made mix. The best nesting herb blend is the one you create from what you have available, tailored to your flock’s specific needs. It’s simple, cost-effective, and allows you to control the quality.
Start with a simple base and build from there. A good starting point is a 2:1 ratio of a calming herb to a pest-repellent herb.
- Base Formula: Two parts lavender or chamomile, one part spearmint.
From there, you can add other herbs based on your goals. Want richer yolks? Add one part calendula. Worried about immune health during the wet season? Add one part oregano. Dealing with brittle shells? Add half a part of dried comfrey leaf.
Mix your chosen dried herbs in a large bowl or bucket and store the blend in an airtight container away from direct sunlight. A coffee can or large glass jar works perfectly. Simply grab a generous handful and mix it into the fresh bedding every time you clean out the nesting boxes. It’s a simple routine that pays dividends in flock health and egg production.
Ultimately, using herbs in your nesting boxes is about creating an environment that works with a chicken’s natural instincts, providing them with a space that is not just clean, but actively beneficial to their health and well-being.
