My Top Herb Choices For Chicken Care If I could only grow a few herbs I would choose Mint, Oregano, Basil, Thyme, Lavender and Sage. As far as chicken keeping and animal care needs, Sage and Oregano are great for intestinal health and to ward off infections from Salmonella and Coccidiosis. (cocci) Lavender is an all around great herb for infections, relaxation, odor control, and repels pests. Mint also repels insects and rodents, is a stimulant for egg laying, and the chickens love it…