Thursday, May 31, 2012

Lavender to Freshen the Coop

Whenever I cut back my many lavender plants, I toss the branches in the coop. Right away the chickens check it out and lavender is a great herb to use in the coop.

chickens




As they walked over it and stirred it around the smell of lavender was so strong and lovely.



I do it ever couple of days now and it smells so good as they continue to walk on it. I just rake it out when I clean. I even throw some into the henhouse where they sleep.


They love to come lay upon the stems when I toss it in. Maybe it is soothing to them like it is for us humans.


One thing I also noticed is that the days it is real fresh and the scent is strong, it seems to deter flies. I have lots of plants but I think I will plant some more so I have plenty to throw in over the summer months.

Take a tour of our newer coop here.

15 comments:

  1. Wow...who knew!?? You will have chicken farmers rushing out to the nursery to buy lavender now!!!
    : )

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  2. Elaine ~ thanks for this post. I am going to try and put lavender in with my chickens and see how they like it. I don't have any smell around my coop as the chicken yard is open to the back yard, but this sounds lovely. I wonder if it deters mites? Hmmm ~ must google this. Have a great day ;-)

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  3. What a great idea. I am going to have to grow some lavender and try this.

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  4. I love lavender. I wonder if it is kind of like catnip to a cat except it has a calming effect rather than making them hyper? Love your chicks! And now they are the best smelling chicks in Blogland- xo Diana

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  5. Well, if I had chickens I'd be in business. I have lavender, which I love but who knew about the insects. Good to know. Thanks

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  6. What a lovely idea, I will have to try this, thanks Elaine.

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  7. Don't have any lavender...but I must get some and try it out! sounds lovely!

    Pat

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  8. Great idea, and lavender is a natural bug repellant so it may be beneficial to them by keeping mites at bay! Why didn't I ever think of that? I have tons of lavender!

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  9. I love that your chickens are having a bit of aroma therapy each day. You may have started the next trend in raising chicks. Bonnie

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  10. What a great idea and I didn't know it was a bug repellant too. I have never had any luck growing it unfortunately but I love it!

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  11. So cute....do you think they like how it smells? Maybe it is relaxing and soothing to them, too. If we had chickens, I would be scared that the coyotes, fox, and bobcats would get them at night. They live out here in these hills!

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  12. Hello Elaine,

    Well, this chick is saying Thank You! Do they have names?
    I lived in a place where they had chicken as a child...many became my pets, he, he, he!

    Gabriela

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  13. Looks like they are enjoying it. Great that it keeps the flies away too. Have a delightful day!

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