Chicken run/grape arbor

[muddler6]

I had the same idea for a run, the chickens can fertilize the grapes year round, and my cochins LOVE grapes. I may be borrowing your plans, I hadn't committed to a set up yet, but I like that one!!

 

[Scrambled Egg]

That really is beautiful, hope yours turns out as nice! I have catawba grapes on a lattice type trellis and they were just full of smallish grapes this year. I fed alot ot my chickens, which they loved and the other birds finished off the rest. I will prune it back in a few weeks and hopefully have bigger grapes this year and maybe make some jam with them. I have a scupernog(sp!) vine started this year too, I dont care for thembut my family does so I hope it grows well too. Good luck with yours.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Steal away, Muddler! I actually pulled the idea off Google Image search.

I can't find the picture of the one I really like. It's kind of like the picture I posted only less covered by vines. You can see the structure a little better. It's simpler too. I'll see if I can find it again.

Pony- That does make sense. I will plan in that direction.

All- So to foil the invisible raccoons should I do welded wire on the whole thing? I was going to do chicken wire on the sides behind the slats and then 1/2" hardware cloth on the bottom where there are no slats. The vertical posts are about 4' apart. I'll also do a 1x6 on edge around the bottom ground level perimeter.

Am I going to mostly foil the darn predators?

CG

 

[muddler6]

I'm glad you don't mind me borrowing your plans. I just have to figure out where to but it in the yard. But I really like that design for an arbor. Around here the Japanese Beetles flock to grapes, so the way I look at it, free protien for the chickens plus the grapes they get and a few leaves. Win-Win situation all around!!! I can't wait until spring!!

 

[Jjfester]

This is an old post so not sure anyone is still watching, but I was wondering if that would make the run too dark? Would the chickens still get some sun during the day?

 

[lynnehd]

This is an old post so not sure anyone is still watching, but I was wondering if that would make the run too dark? Would the chickens still get some sun during the day?

I agree it would be too dark if you let the grapes completely cover it. Also, uncontrolled grape vines would probably eventually get so thick that they would destroy the arbor.

You could opt to cut the grape vines back hard every Fall or early Spring and only allow them to grow up the sides and leave the top open.
I do that with a grape vine on the side of a smaller Pergola, and get lots of grape leaves(rich in calcium) to feed the chickens.