Anyone put shrubs IN the run?

[Ariel301]

Quote:
I could go for some rosemary stuffed chicken lol.

I have a rosemary plant growing in a rock garden bed that the chickens hang out in pretty much daily, and I have not seen them eat off of it. It might work. The problem I have had is that they have uprooted several small rosemary plants while scratching through the dirt, and then the plants died before I found them.

 

[Imp]

My chickens really don't bother the plants in the yard, and only a few have minimal protection. I have Pyro Canthus, Skimmia, Beauty berry, Maple, Witch Hazel, Clematis, Hydrangea, Bamboo, Iris, Butterfly bush, Lilac, High Bush Cranberry, Aronia Berry, Thimble-berry, Currants, Gooseberry, Blueberries, and several other shrubs that the name escapes me at the moment. I also have a few perennial beds. It helps to have larger plants as mentioned earlier, and I have found them to be more destructive to the roots & stems with their scratching. In a small run it may be difficult or with lots of chickens. I only have 3-5 hens in a backyard.

Imp

 

[serendipityfarm]

Quote:
OK, what kind of shrubs are THOSE???
My husand is a landscaper, so a lot of times he comes home with plants and shrubs that people wanted removed to put something in that spot. So, we have a little nursery in the back where he puts them to recover. Sometimes they're in rough shape, but after a year or so can be used again. We've used them all aroud the run, now I was thinking about maybe putting some inside too.Will check out that list of toxic plants! Thanks!

 

[jomoncon]

I'm in the process of building a new coop & run. The area where the run will be has an established rosemary bush, about 3' tall & wide. I plan on leaving it where it is.

 

[tedabug]

Quote:
OK, what kind of shrubs are THOSE???
My husand is a landscaper, so a lot of times he comes home with plants and shrubs that people wanted removed to put something in that spot. So, we have a little nursery in the back where he puts them to recover. Sometimes they're in rough shape, but after a year or so can be used again. We've used them all aroud the run, now I was thinking about maybe putting some inside too.Will check out that list of toxic plants! Thanks!

I looked it up, they are WINTERGREEN BOXWOOD. They have been there a decade before the chickens came along, so they are well established. Haven't looked to see if they are toxic, but my well-fed birds don't touch them. They just use them as shade.