As a passionate backyard chicken keeper and gardening enthusiast, I’ve spent countless hours researching safe plants to grow around my feathered friends One question that keeps popping up in our chicken-keeping community is whether creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is safe for chickens Let me share what I’ve learned through experience and research.
The Quick Answer
Yes, creeping thyme is completely safe for chickens! Not only is it non-toxic, but it can actually be beneficial for your flock. We’ve been growing it in our chicken run for years without any issues.
Why Consider Creeping Thyme for Your Chicken Area?
Benefits of Planting Creeping Thyme:
- Creates attractive ground cover
- Releases pleasant aromatics when stepped on
- Drought-tolerant once established
- Grows well in zone 9 and many other climate zones
- Provides natural pest control benefits
- Requires minimal maintenance
- Can withstand chicken traffic
- Adds aesthetic value to your backyard
Growing Creeping Thyme Around Chickens
Best Planting Practices
- Choose a sunny location
- Ensure well-draining soil
- Space plants 12-18 inches apart
- Water regularly until established
- Plant in spring or fall for best results
Care Requirements:
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Water: Moderate, drought-tolerant once established
- Soil: Well-draining, slightly alkaline
- Height: 2-4 inches
- Spread: 12-18 inches
Our Experience with Creeping Thyme and Chickens
I remember when we first planted creeping thyme in our chicken run – I was nervous about how the chickens would react. But lemme tell you, it’s been one of the best decisions we’ve made! The chickens actually seem to enjoy walking through it, and the plant has held up remarkably well to their scratching and pecking.
What We’ve Observed:
- Chickens occasionally nibble on the leaves (which is totally fine!)
- The plants recover quickly from chicken traffic
- Helps reduce mud in high-traffic areas
- Provides some shade for chickens during hot days
- Creates a lovely aroma in the yard
Additional Ground Cover Options for Chicken Areas
If you’re looking for alternatives to creeping thyme, here are some other safe options:
- Clover
- Grass
- Mint (in contained areas)
- Oregano
- Roman Chamomile
Tips for Success
To ensure your creeping thyme thrives around chickens
- Start Strong: Plant established plants rather than seeds when possible
- Protection: Consider protecting newly planted thyme until established
- Maintenance: Trim occasionally to encourage dense growth
- Monitoring: Watch for any bare patches and replant as needed
Common Questions About Creeping Thyme and Chickens
Will chickens destroy creeping thyme?
While chickens might scratch at it initially creeping thyme is pretty resilient. Our experience shows it can handle moderate chicken traffic once established.
Does creeping thyme attract beneficial insects?
Yep! It’s great for attracting pollinators and beneficial insects, which can also serve as treats for your chickens.
How long does it take to establish?
In our experience, it takes about 4-6 weeks for creeping thyme to establish properly. After that, it’s pretty much maintenance-free!
Final Thoughts
After years of growing creeping thyme around our chickens, I can confidently say it’s a win-win situation. The plants provide ground cover and interest to the yard, while being completely safe for our feathered friends.
Remember, every backyard flock is different, and what works in one situation might need tweaking in another. But if you’re looking for a safe, attractive, and practical ground cover for your chicken area, creeping thyme is definitely worth considering!
Pro Tips:
- Start with a small area to test how your specific flock interacts with it
- Consider planting in stages to maintain some ground cover while new plants establish
- Mix with other chicken-safe herbs for variety
- Be patient – good things take time!
Have you tried growing any herbs around your chickens? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
Improve your Chickens Health with Thyme You might have seen the
- Aids in respiratory health
- Aids in digestive health
- Aids in immune system health
Growing Thyme Thyme is a hardy, low maintenance perennial herb. It makes a pretty ground cover and seems to be my chickens’ preferred herb to dust bathe in. It likes full sun and well-drained soil, on the acidic side. It actually prefers to be a bit neglected. Fairly difficult to start from seed, it’s best to start with a few small plants. There are lots of various varieties including lemon thyme, lime thyme, coconut thyme and pink lemonade thyme.
- mix some dried thyme into their daily feed
- cut fresh thyme and offer free-choice
- stir fresh or dried thyme leaves into a favorite treat like warm oatmeal or scrambled eggs
- steep some fresh thyme in hot water and then offer your chickens some herbal tea
- plant thyme around the coop and let your chickens free range and eat what they want