Backyard Poultry Forum

My chooks have finally found the mint bushes growing. They weren't sure at first, had a peck and spat it back out... But now they have developed a taste for it and completely demolished the bushes.

Does it have any benefits (good or bad) for them?? Its very strong smelling mint especially if you brush up against the bush.

I put it in the coops along the beams as the mice dont seem to like it and stay away.. Never thought the chooks would be so into it..

GF

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Guineafowl
'Dare to Dream'

It won't hurt them

They do seem to do that kind of thing, don't they - all of a sudden decide that they adore Plant X and then absolutely go to town on Plant X, then not touch it again for two years

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Cheerio, Rach
Blue Swedish Ducks

Yeah, they were looking so big and healthy.. almost growing wild.. Until the girls found them... Oh well its a hearty plant and it will come back pretty soon.

Thanks Cocoa.


GF

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Guineafowl
'Dare to Dream'

Yep, it's hard to keep a healthy mint plant down for long

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Cheerio, Rach
Blue Swedish Ducks

If you have Basil growing watch out for that also. I had a large crop which I planned on making into pesto, when I went to cut it all I had was stems.
I once had peacocks that stripped the leaves of the horseradish plants.
Maybe certain herbs have an internal medicinal benefit.

Maybe they just feel like mint all of a sudden and, being chooks, have to follow the latest fashions ...

My chooks recently devoured $200 worth of various non-toxic but not necessarily edible plants. That was to be their shady refuge next summer!! I wonder if my plants will self revive?

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Now a little less green.

i think edible, is a perception issue.

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whomever lives longest wins

Too true. Might buy mint next time... Eat away darling chooks!!

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Now a little less green.

I have an A frame coop that doesn't get moved much so rather than move the coop I move the plants.

I rotate pots of herbs through it - I let the birds tip prune the plants then I take them out after an hour so they don't get completely demolished.

The herbs I use are Mint, Rosemary, Lavender, Sage, Parsley, Coriander, Oregano, Thyme, Basil, Vietnamese Mint and I have multiple pots of each so they get a rest and regrow.

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Cheers, Milo.
I observe in fascination a worm move by peristaltic action through the freshly turned earth as I plant out my chilies. Grasping the Annelid I toss it to the waiting pack of beady-eyed vultures and watch the ensuing mayhem while laughing like a chook!

Some of mine love mint, some not so much. I have a hanging basket of it growing in their coop near a perch, so they can pick at it if they wish but not dig at the roots and destroy it. They don't seem to be to interested in the basil though.

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1 Stafford, 1 moggy, 2 British shorthair cats, 1 Green tree frog, 2 Eastern long neck turtles, 13 chooks- lots of different breeds, 2 almost adult boys and a worn out husband!

What a great idea!! My herbs (all 2 of them) are still in the pots I bought them in...one day I'll figure out what I'm doing...

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Now a little less green.

I have had to add protection over my basil plants! I also have one in a pot by itself and whenever the chooks are free ranging I have to put the pot on the outdoor table. Well, silly me didn't clip their wings for some time and yesterday I looked outside and my big light sussex was standing on the table next to the pot about to take a mouthful!

My Wyandotts demolished two mint bushes, one spearmint bush and a large [600mm round ] patch of garlick chives. Since then the rooster was dispatched as he was the main culprit. I was expecting him to have a special flavour of his own.

do they have bad breath ?