How to Increase Egg Laying-9 Best Nesting Box Herbs for Chickens

If you own chickens, you know how rewarding it is to collect eggs each day. With the exception of molting time, most hens will lay all year round. Sometimes though, they decide to cut back on laying and need a little encouragement. I have found these to be the 9 best nesting box herbs for chickens to get them laying again. These specific herbs will also deter pests and improve the health and well being of your chickens!

BEST 9 HERB BLEND TO INCREASE CHICKEN EGG LAYING, IMPROVE HEALTH
1. MARIGOLDS
2. ROSEMARY
3. FENNEL
4. CHAMOMILE
5. PEPPERMINT
6. PARSLEY
7. MARJORAM
8. DANDELION LEAF
9. LAVENDER

How to Increase Chicken Egg Laying-9 Best Nesting Box Herbs (When they aren’t Molting)

If all of your chicken’s needs are being met and they are not providing you with a basket full of eggs, try encouraging them to lay by providing them with the right blend of nesting box herbs.

The following 9 herbs are safe to provide all year round. They not only help to stimulate egg laying, but they will also help to improve the health and well being of your flock.

NESTING BOX HERB	EFFECT ON CHICKEN EGGS
1. MARIGOLD	⬆ EGG LAYING DEEPER ORANGE YOLKS ⬇ MONOUNSATURATED FAT ⬆ SATURATED FAT STRENGTHENS EGG SHELLS
2. ROSEMARY	⬆ EGG LAYING LARGER EGGS LARGER EGG YOLKS ⬇ TRIGLYCERIDES ⬇ LDL ⬆ HDL
3. FENNEL	⬆ EGG LAYING ⬇ TRIGLYCERIDES ⬇ CHOLESTEROL
4. CHAMOMILE	⬆ EGG LAYING ⬆ CALCIUM STRONGER EGG SHELLS
5. PEPPERMINT	⬆ EGG LAYING LARGER EGGS ⬇ CHOLESTEROL
6. PARSLEY	⬆ EGG LAYING THICKER EGG SHELLS HEALTHIER CHICKS
7. MARJORAM	⬆ EGG LAYING
8. DANDELION LEAF	⬆ EGG LAYING DEEP ORANGE YOLKS STRONGER EGG SHELLS
9. LAVENDER	⬆ EGG LAYING

1. Marigolds for Increased Egg Production

EGGS:

• By adding adding marigold herbs to your chickens diet, you will notice hens will produce eggs with deeper orange yolks.
• It also strengthens the egg shells.
• Increases the healthy saturated fat and decreases the unhealthy monounsaturated fat of the egg.

HEALTH:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Antibacterial properties
• It has wonderful healing benefits.
• Soothes mucous membranes
• Reduces eye infections

DETERRENT:

Many pests do not like the smell of marigold, so using them in your nesting boxes and around the chicken coop works great to keep them away!

• Mite and lice deterrent
• Mosquitos
• Flies
• It also repels snakes.

AROMA:

Musky, sweet

USAGE:

• Use dry marigold flowers for chickens in and around their coop.
• Sprinkle marigold dried herbs in your chicken coop, chicken run and nesting box on a weekly basis.
• Plant marigold flowers around the perimeter of your chicken coop.
• Sprinkle some dried marigold herbs into your chickens feed.

2. Rosemary for Increased Egg Production

EGGS:

According to a study done at ResearchGait chickens supplemented with Rosemary had:

• Increased egg production
• Larger eggs
• Larger egg yolks
• Decreased triglycerides
• Increased HDL
• Decreased LDL

HEALTH:

• Antioxidant
• Respiratory support
• Pain reliever
• Boosts immune system
• Improves blood circulation
• Digestive support (helps with indigestion)

DETERRENT:

• Flies
• Ants
• Mosquitos

AROMA:

Rosemary has a fresh, woodsy fragrance. The drier it is, the more intense of aroma it has.

USAGE:

• Sprinkle some dried rosemary into each of the nesting boxes on a weekly basis to encourage egg laying and leave it smelling fresh.
• Sprinkle into dust bathing areas to encourage your chickens to take a dust bath.
• Hang some fresh sachets of rosemary in your chicken coop for a fresh woodsy scent. As it ages, the aroma will intensify. This aroma will give your chickens good respiratory support.
• Crush up and apply directly to wounds on your chicken. It can even be made into a salve.
• Sprinkle some into your chicken feed on a weekly basis.

3. Fennel for Increased Egg Production

EGGS:

• Increased egg production throughout the year
• Decreased triglycerides
• Decreased cholesterol

HEALTH:

• Strong Egg laying stimulant
• Improves reproductive health
• Aids in digestive health (indigestion, bloating)
• Alleviates heat stress
• Antioxidant
• Antiseptic
• Antianxiety
• Antifungal
• Anti inflammatory
• Anti coccidial- Studies show that fennel seed may help prevent coccidiosis.

DETERRENT:

• Snails
• Slugs
• Aphids
• Flies

AROMA:

Slight black licorice smell.

USAGE:

• Sprinkle some fennel seeds into your hens nesting boxes on a weekly basis to help stimulate egg laying.
• Add some fennel seeds into your chicken feed on a weekly basis to help improve digestive health.
• It can also be added to your chicken dust bathing area.

4. Chamomile for Increased Egg Production

EGGS:

• Stronger egg shells
• Increased calcium in eggs
• Increased egg production

HEALTH:

• Increased calcium
• Calming effects
• Improves digestive health-indigestion, diarrhea
• Antiseptic
• Antibiotic

DETERRENT:

• Mites
• Lice
• Fleas

AROMA:

Chamomile has a sweet, fresh, apple like scent.

USAGE:

• Sprinkle dried chamomile into the nesting boxes to help encourage egg laying and to help deter mites, lice and flea infestations.
• Scatter some dried chamomile into the chicken coop to help improve the aroma, deter pests.
• Sprinkle some in your chicken dust bathing areas to encourage dust bathing. This will also help to kill mites, lice and fleas.

5. Peppermint for Increased Egg Production

EGGS:

• Increased egg production
• Larger eggs
• Decreased cholesterol

HEALTH:

• Improves digestive health
• Antibacterial
• Improves blood circulation
• Improves respiratory health
• Decreases inflammation
• Refreshing on a hot day

DETERRENT:

• Mites
• Lice
• Flies
• Mice
• Rats
• Mosquitos

AROMA:

Peppermint has a sharp, minty, fresh smell and is comparable to Menthol.

USAGE:

• Scatter dry peppermint herbs in your chicken nesting boxes. This will help to deter pests, including parasites such as mites and lice. It will also encourage egg laying and keep the nest boxes smelling fresh.
• Plant some peppermint around the perimeter of your chicken coop to deter pests.
• Scatter some dried or fresh peppermint leaves in dust bathing areas and inside of the chicken coop to deter pests, improve respiratory and digestive health.

6. Parsley for Increased Egg Production

EGGS:

• Increased egg production
• Improved egg quality (thicker egg shells)
• Better eggs for hatching chicks (helps with healthy chick development)

HEALTH:

• Increased vitamins: A, C, K, B12 and K
• Increased minerals: Selenium, Iron, Calcium, Zinc, Magnesium
• Aids in circulatory system development
• Anti inflammatory
• Immune system booster
• Helps to heal the nervous system
• Aids in joint and muscle health
• Lowers LDL cholesterol
• Aids in repairing damaged tissue

DETERRENT:

• Beetles (Asparagus)
• Moths (Cabbage)

AROMA:

Parsley smells like clean, fresh cut grass.

USAGE:

• Sprinkle either dry or fresh parsley in nesting boxes to encourage egg laying.
• Sprinkle in and around the chicken coop to improve your chicken’s health and to improve the smell.
• Add to chicken dust bathing areas to encourage dust bathing.

7. Marjoram for Increased Egg Production

EGGS:

• Stimulates egg production

HEALTH:

• Respiratory health
• Anti inflammatory
• Decongestant
• Antibacterial-helps to ward off E.coli, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, shigella and proteus

DETERRENT:

• Aphids
• Whiteflies

AROMA:

Marjoram has a light, sweet aroma, similar to oregano.

USAGE:

• Sprinkle either dried marjoram or fresh into your hen nesting boxes to help encourage egg laying.
• Sprinkle either dried or fresh marjoram into dust bathing areas and inside and around the chicken coop.

8. Dandelion Leaf for Increased Egg Production

EGGS:

• Stimulates egg production
• Deep orange yolks
• Stronger egg shells

HEALTH:

• Improves respiratory health
• Improves neurological health
• Anti Inflammatory
• Improves digestive health
• Leaves contain zeaxanthin which helps to protect eyes against ultra violet rays.
• Leaves are rich in Calcium, Vitamin A, C, B6, riboflavin, magnesium, manganese, thiamin, potassium and iron.
• Leaves contain over 500% of Vitamin K which is responsible for bone and neurological health.

ATTRACT:

• Dandelion flowers contain pollen and nectar which attracts bees.

AROMA:

Dandelions have a bitter sweet smell.

USAGE:

• The entire dandelion is edible, including the roots.
• Sprinkle dried or fresh dandelions into nesting boxes, dust bathing areas and coops.
• Add some dried or fresh dandelions to chicken feed as a supplement.

9. Lavender for Increased Egg Production

EGGS:

• Encourages egg laying

HEALTH:

• Stress reliever
• Calming effects
• Increases circulation (good for laying hens)
• Antiviral
• Antibacterial
• Respiratory benefits-loosens phlegm

DETERRENT:

• fleas
• flies
• mosquitos
• moths

AROMA:

• Lavender has a sweet, light, floral yet woodsy type smell.

USAGE:

• Sprinkle some dried lavender or cuttings into your hens nesting boxes to help encourage egg laying. Its scent will have a relaxing, calming effect on your hens, help to improve respiratory health and increase blood circulation.
• Sprinkle some into dust bathing areas and inside the chicken coop.
• Plant some lavender around the perimeter of the chicken coop.

Reasons Chickens Stop Laying Eggs

• Not exposed to enough sunlight
• Stress (not enough food, predators, crowded conditions, bullying)
• Broody
• Molting
• Old

Make sure your chickens are exposed to enough daylight, eliminate any stressors, break hens from their broodiness (if you don’t want baby chicks).

Why do Hens Stop Laying When Molting?

Most hens will either stop or cut back on egg laying to go through their annual molt. This is normal and important for them to do. During this time they put their energy toward growing in new feathers instead of egg laying.

CONCLUSION: How to Increase Chicken Egg Production-9 Best Nesting Box Herbs

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