Adding on to existing run--please help me not screw up

[Mildly Cranky]

My Christmas present will arrive next week, and it's an addition to my chicken run. My daughter and her dad will be building it.

The existing run will still be the main event. It's where the chicken door opens into and it's more protective with windbreak panels. It's fully enclosed and covered with roof panels; size is 8 x 24. The new addition will be a breathtaking extra 900 square feet. The addition will have a wire roof but not panels like the main event.

I live in the almost-desert of southern Colorado. The trees are few and far between, and the summers are long and hot. The only growth around here is prairie grasses and cactus. I would love to plant something in the run that the chickens would be able to use as shade, but that they won't destroy. Is there any such thing? Are there any shrubs that they won't eat and kill? Lilac and serviceberry grow well here. I've also thought about maybe planting on the outside of the new run, especially something that could climb onto the wire.

Any other ideas for how to provide enrichment in a large space when the natural surroundings are not enriching at all? If you had a blank canvas this large and one chance to do it right, what would you do?

 

[Mother of Chaos]

My Christmas present will arrive next week, and it's an addition to my chicken run. My daughter and her dad will be building it.

The existing run will still be the main event. It's where the chicken door opens into and it's more protective with windbreak panels. It's fully enclosed and covered with roof panels; size is 8 x 24. The new addition will be a breathtaking extra 900 square feet. The addition will have a wire roof but not panels like the main event.

I live in the almost-desert of southern Colorado. The trees are few and far between, and the summers are long and hot. The only growth around here is prairie grasses and cactus. I would love to plant something in the run that the chickens would be able to use as shade, but that they won't destroy. Is there any such thing? Are there any shrubs that they won't eat and kill? Lilac and serviceberry grow well here. I've also thought about maybe planting on the outside of the new run, especially something that could climb onto the wire.

Any other ideas for how to provide enrichment in a large space when the natural surroundings are not enriching at all? If you had a blank canvas this large and one chance to do it right, what would you do?

Are there any vines, grapes maybe, that will gray in your climate? Plant them outside of the run, along the walls, for afternoon shade.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Two mountain west seed companies that you might want to check out for inspiration:

High Country Gardens:
https://www.highcountrygardens.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorKKmt2_LKYvNh9fJtDMnQY-NjkuAx9Cc-2mDGVa4eZHhQ0Y0eH (Clinton UT)

Botanical Interests:
https://www.botanicalinterests.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoq5FFxqiK3pwtRwHun2Br6JhBsMTfjhV2j-sEaoM01B_be_mF6z (Broomfield CO)

 

[rosemarythyme]

The plants will stand a much better chance outside, though I can't make suggestions for your climate. Do keep in mind that some climbers like grapes can get very heavy, and the fence needs to be able to support that weight.

As far as enrichment inside, what junk do you have sitting around outside or in a shed? Chickens aren't picky. I'm always looking at unwanted items my neighbors put out for takers, like furniture, big pots, kids toys, and thinking to myself, can the chickens use that safely?

 

[Mildly Cranky]

Are there any vines, grapes maybe, that will gray in your climate? Plant them outside of the run, along the walls, for afternoon shade.

I'm still trying to find the magic beans that will grow in this area. The perfect plant would be a row of tall sunflowers outside the run, but the cottontails will just mow them down. I do have a honeysuckle and some Oregon grape that have taken over a spot, so I might just transplant some and see if it takes.

 

[Mildly Cranky]

The plants will stand a much better chance outside, though I can't make suggestions for your climate. Do keep in mind that some climbers like grapes can get very heavy, and the fence needs to be able to support that weight.

As far as enrichment inside, what junk do you have sitting around outside or in a shed? Chickens aren't picky. I'm always looking at unwanted items my neighbors put out for takers, like furniture, big pots, kids toys, and thinking to myself, can the chickens use that safely?

Yep, looking for viny things that will grow here but not be heavy. I've got some Oregon grape in one spot that is very hardy, so I might transplant some and see if it can root. I know many areas consider it invasive but not here. It's more like the last man standing.

I have some old pallets from lumber deliveries and will probably make some monstrosity that the chickens can investigate. They won't judge my abilities. After a lot of thought, I did give input into where this run should go and asked that it incorporate a tree snag. That alone will likely be fun for them.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I'm still trying to find the magic beans that will grow in this area. The perfect plant would be a row of tall sunflowers outside the run, but the cottontails will just mow them down. I do have a honeysuckle and some Oregon grape that have taken over a spot, so I might just transplant some and see if it takes.

Oddly, chickens shouldn’t eat raw beans, although they can eat raw peas. If you do find your magic beans, keep them away from your voracious raptors.

 

[Mildly Cranky]

Two mountain west seed companies that you might want to check out for inspiration:

High Country Gardens:
https://www.highcountrygardens.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorKKmt2_LKYvNh9fJtDMnQY-NjkuAx9Cc-2mDGVa4eZHhQ0Y0eH (Clinton UT)

Botanical Interests:
https://www.botanicalinterests.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoq5FFxqiK3pwtRwHun2Br6JhBsMTfjhV2j-sEaoM01B_be_mF6z (Broomfield CO)

Oddly, chickens shouldn’t eat raw beans, although they can eat raw peas. If you do find your magic beans, keep them away from your voracious raptors.

Oh I wish I could grow peas along the outside! That would be amazing! Pretty flowers, nontoxic, shady--the whole package. The climate just laughs at the thought. Artificial vines maybe? Sounds hideous but the hens won't care.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Oh I wish I could grow peas along the outside! That would be amazing! Pretty flowers, nontoxic, shady--the whole package. The climate just laughs at the thought.

Too bad peas wouldn't work. I trellis peas on the side of my run from spring to early summer and the birds help themselves to some of the leaves.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I'm here in SE MO. We had a volunteer wild grape take up next to the outside of our chicken run. For two years it was a sad little pathetic thing, barely surviving. The chickens took no interest in it although its trunk was actually in their run. That was several years ago. It does not bear fruit. It just .... grows. It now provides shade over the entire coop and an immense portion of that part of the run. It's like the Eggplant that Ate Chicago. DH went out last fall and did battle with it, cutting it back severely, but this is obviously a battle we are not going to win. GC and I are going to harvest a ton or so of its tentacles this spring to make wreaths and things out of, to adorn with our chickens' feathers and try yo sell on eBay.

All this to say, if you can find a native or wild grape and get it started in your area, you'll be golden. Good luck!