Howdee folks…thought I’d better pop my head in, say G’day, hope you’re all going well and add a question :o)

I somehow have managed to spread oregano into my chook pen and it’s growing at a steady pace.
But I’m finding it odd that the chooks aren’t eating it!! I’m now thinkin as summer is just around the corner that I’d try to keep it growing as it will help to keep the chook pen a little cooler, and the greenery does look nice in there.

Has anyone encountered this as well and has anyone got any thoughts about my idea?

Muschee said:

Howdee folks…thought I’d better pop my head in, say G’day, hope you’re all going well and add a question :o)

I somehow have managed to spread oregano into my chook pen and it’s growing at a steady pace.
But I’m finding it odd that the chooks aren’t eating it!! I’m now thinkin as summer is just around the corner that I’d try to keep it growing as it will help to keep the chook pen a little cooler, and the greenery does look nice in there.

Has anyone encountered this as well and has anyone got any thoughts about my idea?

Some herbs are useful to help prevent lice etc. The greenery will help to keep it cooler and perhaps help to control the smells.

I’ve noticed that too, they won’t touch oregano, but also flat leafed parsley.

Happy Potter said:

I’ve noticed that too, they won’t touch oregano, but also flat leafed parsley.

I think I was a bit worried that it might cause them some grief, altho I can’t think of any reasons why. I do throw them some flat parsley too but never really took too much notice if it got eaten

Muschee said:

Happy Potter said:

I’ve noticed that too, they won’t touch oregano, but also flat leafed parsley.

I think I was a bit worried that it might cause them some grief, altho I can’t think of any reasons why. I do throw them some flat parsley too but never really took too much notice if it got eaten

They’ll walk through such herbs picking out insects but won’t eat the plants.

Muschee said:

Happy Potter said:

I’ve noticed that too, they won’t touch oregano, but also flat leafed parsley.

I think I was a bit worried that it might cause them some grief, altho I can’t think of any reasons why. I do throw them some flat parsley too but never really took too much notice if it got eaten

And yet they’ll eat plants like rhubarb that can harm them. Perhaps the above herbs have a taste chickens dislike or cannot digest.

Maybe it is a bit too dry for them. Oregano tends to be a bit furry and dry. My chooks have a distinct preference for young fresh greenery like lettuce, fresh grass, silver beet etc. They love the manky old pea straw that has got wet and is partially rotted too….but I suspect that is the worms and insecty greebies that grow in it.

there are a few weeds and herbs the chhookkss don’t eat – you could try dill, artemesia, raspberries and some others ??
they won’t eat stinging nettle