Tansy is a the latest herb we have added the garden for the benefit of our chooks. You may not have heard of it, but tansy can improve the health of your chickens AND your garden. It’s a low-maintenance plant that attracts beneficial insects, repel pests, and provide a host of other benefits.
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is an attractive herb with fern-like leaves and small yellow flowers. It’s native to Europe and Asia, but it can be grown in many climates. In the United States, it’s apparently often found in old cemeteries!
Tansy is a hardy plant that’s easy to grow, in fact, it can become rampant as it spreads by rhizomes. It’s tolerant of both drought and wet conditions and doesn’t require a lot of care. It prefers full sun, so it’s best to plant it in an area of your chicken run that gets plenty of light.
You can start tansy from seed or you can buy seedings, or get a division from someone else’s garden. Plants can be divided in spring and autumn. Leaves can be harvested any time.
Tansy has a variety of uses in the chicken run or around the outside of your veggie garden (just be careful of those rhizomes running!) – but not in it – Jackie French says smaller plants often don’t seem to grow as well with Tansy.
In the vegetable garden it attracts beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies. These insects will feed on the pests that can damage your plants, making tansy a great natural pest repellent. Tansy can also be used to deter rodents, mites, and fleas, and may repel borers. Jackie French also says it is best planted along paths where you’ll rub against it as you walk, as leaves need to be bruised or crushed to release the pest-repelling oils. (Jackie French’s Guide to Companion Planting)
In the chook run, tansy may be beneficial to the health of your chickens. It used to be used in a tea to expell intestinal worms, but is now considered potentially toxic in humans and especially contraindicated in pregnancy.
However, it may help control worms in chickens if made available to them, and may also support good respiratory and digestive health. I wouldn’t add it to their feed, as it can be toxic, but having it available to free-ranging chickens allows them to self-medicate without overdosing.
It is also listed by Alanna Moore as a good “strewing herb” for it’s ability to repel mice, flies, fleas and ants. The plant has a strong scent that can help mask other odors, such as ammonia. It can also be used to create a natural barrier against pests and disease. (Backyard Poultry Naturally)
In addition to all these benefits, tansy can also be used in your compost pile. It is a good compost activator and contains many of the essential nutrients needed to create rich and fertile soil. Excess tansy can also be dried and used as mulch to help retain moisture in the soil.
As you can see, tansy is a useful herb to add to your backyard permaculture garden. Whether you’re looking for a natural pest repellent, an effective compost ingredient, or an attractive strewing herb, tansy is great choice.
[NB Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is different to Blue tansy (Tanacetum annuum) which is confusingly also known as blue Moroccan chamomile, which is not the same as Moroccan chamomile (Ormenis multicaulis)!]
