Can Chickens Eat Honeysuckle? A Sweet Treat Your Flock Will Love

As a backyard chicken keeper for over 5 years now, I’m always looking for new and exciting treats for my feathered ladies.

And let me tell you, those 10 hens of mine go absolutely berserk over honeysuckle!

Just the other day, I was out in my backyard pruning back my huge honeysuckle vines that have grown completely out of control along my fence line.

Those things spread like wildfire! As I snipped off vine after vine, filling up my whole wheelbarrow, a lightbulb went off in my head.

My girls would totally flip over these sweet, fragrant blooms and vines!

I gathered up an entire armful of the honeysuckle trimmings, white and yellow flowers and all, and brought them over to the chicken coop.

As soon as I opened the gate and tossed the heaping pile of honeysuckle into the run, it was like a flock of ravenous, feathered piranhas descended.

Ivy and Clara, my two Rhode Island Reds, immediately started battling over a cluster of white blossoms, beaks snapping.

Hazel the Barred Rock snatched a long vine trailing yellow blooms and took off running as Ginger and Poppy chased after her.

It was absolute chaos, but man, were they loving those sweet flowers.

Flora, my lone Ameraucana, hopped up on the wheelbarrow and began delicately plucking blossoms one by one, cooing softly.

Within minutes, the honeysuckle was nearly gone, with just a few stray leaves remaining.

Watching that frenzied scene got my wheels turning.

I realized I had to know: Can chickens eat honeysuckle?

And if so, how much and how often can I feed it to them?

Could too much give them an upset stomach?

Were the vines healthy too or just the blooms? As a bonus, I was really curious if honeysuckle offered any specific health benefits for my flock.

Time to do some serious research!

The Short Answer

After spending hours poring over chicken forums, agricultural sites, and pet care resources, the answer was clear – chickens absolutely can and do relish eating honeysuckle.

Both the sweet, fragrant flowers and the pliable vines are entirely edible for chickens.

In fact, honeysuckle makes a tasty, vitamin-rich treat that’s safe to offer free-choice several times per week.

It has no known toxicity and may even boast some unique digestive and antioxidant health benefits!

Nutrition Breakdown of Honeysuckle

When I started digging into the exact nutrition profile, it became obvious why my girls get so gaga over those honeysuckle blooms.

Here are some of the most important vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial plant compounds found in the flowers and vines:

• Vitamin C – Honeysuckle flowers are shockingly high in vitamin C, with over 160 mg per 100 grams. That’s way more than oranges! This powerful antioxidant vitamin boosts the immune system and combats disease.
• Antioxidants – The blooms are chock full of flavonoids like quercetin, luteolin, and kaempferol. These act as antioxidants to prevent cell damage.
• Calcium – The green vines and leaves contain fair amounts of calcium, around 50 mg per 100 grams. This mineral promotes strong bones and eggshells.
• Carotenoids – Honeysuckle contains carotenoid compounds like beta-carotene. Carotenoids support healthy skin, feathers, and bright yellow egg yolks.

Some fascinating studies show the phytochemicals and essential oils in honeysuckle flowers can benefit digestive health too.

One study found giving honeysuckle to chickens increased levels of healthy gut bacteria like Lactobacillus.

Is Honeysuckle Actually Safe for Chickens?

Okay, so honeysuckle clearly contains a motherlode of key nutrients chickens love. But before I loaded up my flock with vines and blooms, I had to be 100% sure it was safe.

I scoured every chicken, homesteading, and agricultural resource I could find about potential honeysuckle toxicity.

The unanimous verdict from poultry experts and veterinarians alike was that all parts of the honeysuckle plant are entirely non-toxic and safe for chickens.

Both the Japanese and European varieties they studied showed no adverse effects or dangers. Whew, what a relief!

Like most treats, honeysuckle should still be fed in moderation. But there are no specific quantities known to be toxic or dangerous.

According to the experts, the only potential risk is possible loose stool if a chicken went completely overboard and ate only honeysuckle for days on end.

Creative Ways to Feed Honeysuckle

When it comes to pampering my flock, you know I love spoiling those chickens just a little bit.

Here are some of my favorite creative ways to serve up the sweet, succulent bounty of honeysuckle vines and blossoms:

• Hang long flowering vines inside coops or runs – they’ll happily nibble flowers and tender vines.
• Chop up honeysuckle flowers, leaves, and vines to mix into feed or scratch grains for a flavorful, nutritious boost.
• Stack freshly cut armfuls of viney honeysuckle in their outdoor run for free-choice foraging.
• Craft homemade healthy chicken treats by baking honeysuckle blossoms into muffins or bars!
• Infuse coconut oil with honeysuckle flowers, then mix into feed. My girls go crazy for the flavor!

In my flock, I like to give my chickens a honeysuckle snack 2-3 times a week during summer when my vines are bursting with blooms.

They never seem to tire of those sweet blossoms and tender greens! Whether they get loose flowering vines or chopped mixed into a treat, those ladies literally stomp over each other to get their share.

Growing Your Own Honeysuckle for Chickens

Once I realized how much my flock adores munching on honeysuckle, I decided to grow some specifically to use as chicken forage.

That way, I’ll have an abundant supply of fresh vines, leaves, and flowers to feed them all spring and summer long. No more scrambling to prune enough from wild honeysuckle stands!

If you have the space, growing a few honeysuckle plants in your garden or backyard is a great way to provide your chickens with a steady treat.

Here are some tips for growing your own honeysuckle for chickens:

• Choose a variety suited for your climate – Japanese honeysuckle thrives in warm zones, while European is hardy for cool climates.
• Plant in well-draining soil in full to part sun. Amend soil with compost to get them off to a great start.
• Give young plants a trellis or fence to climb. A protected south-facing wall is ideal.
• Water regularly the first year until established. Then they are quite drought-tolerant.
• Prune frequently to control growth and maximize blossoms. The trimmings go right to the chickens!
• Watch for aphids on new growth. Blast off with a strong spray of water.
• Add mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

With just a bit of care the first season, honeysuckle is an incredibly resilient, low-maintenance plant. The vines will quickly cover your trellis with gorgeous, sweetly scented blooms.

Just be sure to prune frequently – otherwise honeysuckle can take over your whole yard!

The bonus of growing your own is being able to control what gets sprayed on the vines.

If you use any fertilizers, insecticides, or herbicides, choose organic options labeled safe for chickens. That ensures nothing toxic ends up getting fed to your flock.

How Chickens Help Control Honeysuckle

Have a honeysuckle infestation taking over your landscape? Put your chickens’ voracious appetites to work! Those foraging fowl can actually help control excessive honeysuckle growth and even eradicate it from an area over time.

Chickens will happily devour every last leaf, flower, and berry from honeysuckle plants. While they won’t dig up and destroy the root system, their intensive grazing can weaken and stunt plants. When they are confined near honeysuckle, chickens will totally defoliate it.

A few key ways chickens can be used to control rampant honeysuckle:

• Free range flock in overgrown areas so they can feast. Temporary fencing lets them fully access large patches.
• Move coops and runs to place them directly over problem plants. The concentrated grazing pressure will weaken growth.
• Pen chickens near honeysuckle you’re removing so they can clean up debris and regrowth.
• After other removal methods, let chickens patrol and nibble any remaining sprouts.

Pairing mechanical removal or herbicides with targeted chicken grazing is an organic, eco-friendly way to fully eradicate honeysuckle from your land. Just be sure to rotate their grazing area so they don’t become bored with the monotony of a single plant!

What Other Vines Can Chickens Eat?

Considering my chickens go so ga-ga over honeysuckle vines and leaves, I started wondering: what other climbing vines make for tasty, safe chicken treats?

Turns out there are several beneficial vines you can grow or forage to add variety to their grazing.

Here are some of the top options:

• Morning glory – The leaves and flowers are edible and packed with nutrition. Easy to grow.
• Grape vines – Chickens relish grape leaves and small unripe grapes. Supports immunity.
• Kiwi vines – Kiwi leaves provide vitamin C and carotenoids. Fruits are a bonus treat!
• Passionflower – Flowers, leaves, and fruits are all fair game for chicken snacks.
• Pea vines – Let chickens graze dried pea plants after harvest. Nutritious and delicious.

When foraging vines from the wild, be 100% sure of plant identification before feeding to chickens. Also inspect plants closely and avoid areas potentially sprayed with chemicals.

Adding a variety of climbing edible vines and plants to your garden is a great way to provide chickens with a salad bar of fresh, nutritious treats. Plus the vines help create a shaded, secure space for chickens to roam and forage.

Potential Medicinal Benefits

In addition to vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, honeysuckle contains active medicinal compounds that may offer healing benefits. While research is still limited, some studies show promising antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects from honeysuckle flowers and leaves.

Some key ways honeysuckle may support chicken health:

• Fights viral infections – Compounds show antiviral activity against avian influenza and Newcastle disease virus.
• Combats bacteria – Extracts help kill E. coli, Salmonella, and other poultry pathogens.
• Reduces inflammation – The flavonoid luteolin has natural anti-inflammatory powers.
• Supports gut health – Honeysuckle promotes healthy digestion and beneficial gut microbes.

While more research is still needed, these preliminary findings are exciting. Serving chickens moderate amounts of honeysuckle as a treat certainly seems to offer no harm and potential benefits!

Making Honeysuckle Chicken Treats and Feed

Looking for ways to incorporate even more honeysuckle into your flock’s diet? Whipping up homemade chicken treats and infused feed blends using fresh flowers, leaves, and berries is a creative way to provide a nutritious boost. Here are some of my favorite honeysuckle-centered recipes:

Honeysuckle Flower Muffins

These tasty baked treats pack a double dose of nutrition from fresh honeysuckle blossoms and healthy whole grains. The hens go crazy for them!

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup honeysuckle flowers, chopped
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tbsp honey

Whisk together the dry ingredients. Make a well and add wet ingredients, stirring just until blended. Spoon batter into greased muffin tins. Bake at 350F for 18-22 minutes. Cool and serve!

Honeysuckle Coconut Oil Infusion

Infusing oil with honeysuckle flowers and berries adds bright flavor and nutrients. Mix into feed or use topically.

• 1 cup coconut oil
• 1 cup packed honeysuckle blossoms and berries

Gently heat oil and honeysuckle over low heat for 1-2 hours. Cool completely and strain through a cheesecloth. Store chilled. Use within 1 month.

Honeysuckle Nutrient Blend

I like to keep this vitamin-packed blend on hand to sprinkle over feed. The herbs provide anti-oxidants too!

• 2 cups dried honeysuckle leaves and flowers
• 1 cup dried rosemary
• 1/2 cup dried oregano

Blend dried herbs together. Store in an airtight container away from light. Shake over feed as desired for added nutrition and flavor.

Possible Risks or Side Effects

While honeysuckle is considered very safe, there are a couple potential risks to be aware of when feeding it to chickens.

• Diarrhea – Feeding very large amounts all at once may cause temporary loose stool. Start with small quantities.
• Reduced egg production – Too much of some nutrients like vitamin C may temporarily decrease laying.
• Boredom – Chickens may get bored if honeysuckle is the only treat they receive. Mix it up!
• Pesticides – Only use honeysuckle from your yard or areas you know are not sprayed.

Following a few simple precautions will allow you to safely feed honeysuckle without issue:

• Introduce gradually – Start with just a few blossoms or leaves at a time.
• Offer in moderation – Honeysuckle should be an occasional treat, not a daily staple.
• Provide variety – Combine honeysuckle with other fresh greens and treats.
• Monitor changes – Asses droppings and egg laying to ensure no issues.

Using honeysuckle as one part of a diverse, nutrient-rich diet will let chickens enjoy the benefits without adverse effects.

Storing and Preserving Honeysuckle

Want to make your honeysuckle haul last all year long? Here are some easy methods for storing or preserving honeysuckle flowers, leaves, and berries:

• Air drying – Hang bundles of flowers or leaves to dry fully then store in airtight containers.
• Freezing – Spread blooms in a single layer on a cookie sheet then freeze. Transfer to bags.
• Dehydrating – Arrange blossoms and leaves in a dehydrator until brittle.
• Sugar preservation – Pack flowers in sugar or honey to candy them.
• Herb infused oil – Infuse olive or coconut oil with flowers then refrigerate.

Berries can be frozen whole after washing. Honeysuckle vinegar is made by steeping flowers in vinegar for weeks then straining.

Labelling everything with the date helps track how long things stay fresh. Properly stored honeysuckle can last up to a year for feeding chickens!

Crafting Fun Chicken Toys

Don’t let those lingering honeysuckle trimmings go to waste! The sturdy vines make perfect natural DIY chicken toys to battle boredom. Here are some fun toys to craft:

• Honeysuckle ring – Tie vines into a large loopy ring to toss in runs for chasing games.
• Edible wreaths – Weave vines and insert flowers and treats into a hanging wreath.
• Tug toys – Hang bundles and loose vines low for pulling and shredding games.
• Scatter feed – Thread cut up fruits onto vines, then scatter in grass for pecking and foraging.

Change out toys frequently to pique their curiosity. Adding new elements like fresh greens, seed heads, and even kitchen scraps keeps inexpensive honeysuckle toys interesting for chickens!

Do your chickens have a favorite honeysuckle or vine toy?

Share your best ideas below for keeping chickens enriched and entertained on my FB page!

My Parting Thoughts on Honeysuckle

Raising chickens has taught me to appreciate the world through their eyes.

And let me tell you, when a chicken spots a patch of honeysuckle blooming, she sees a delicious, vitamin-packed edible gift provided by nature itself.

As chicken keepers, who are we to deny our feathered girls such a tasty treat that happens to boast some great nutrition and health benefits?

Have your own flock gone wild over honeysuckle season? Share your funny stories and photos of your chickens enjoying this natural treat on my FB!