Climbing plants for run.

[Dominique King]

Heeeeey everybody!
I am wondering what kind of climbing plants would be safe to plant around my run to provide a natural shade during the summer. I would want them to climb the wire and fencing of the run. I live in Northern New Hampshire and I am wondering what kind I can use. You can look at my channel on YouTube and see my run. And if you could tell me what kind of plants would work, that would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[GracePoultry]

Some climbing peas like snow peas would be cool! And the chickens could enjoy a snack

I've seen some people do climbing roses but then there is a risk of the chickens getting pricked by a thorn

 

[Dominique King]

Some climbing peas like snow peas would be cool! And the chickens could enjoy a snack

I've seen some people do climbing roses but then there is a risk of the chickens getting pricked by a thorn

That sound like a good idea! Thanks friend! I did not think of that. Wr grew snow peas one year in our garden! So yet again thanks!

 

[GracePoultry]

That sound like a good idea! Thanks friend! I did not think of that. Wr grew snow peas one year in our garden! So yet again thanks!

no problem!! I grew some a few years back and my chickens got to most of it lol

This year I think I will grow some just for them but I didn't even think of growing it on the run! what a smart idea

 

[TOMTE]

Cucumbers, zucchini, squash, melon, tomato, basically any vine veggie/fruit that's safe for chickens to eat!

We did green beans directly in front of the run this summer, which aren't safe for chickens to eat raw in large amounts, but the girls didn't have much interest in them. They ate pieces of the leaves occasionally but not enough to get sick, and left the beans alone. They also ate some tomato leaves, and both green and ripe tomatoes from the garden without consequence.

I think there are thornless rose varieties. Raspberries are another option. The only worry I really have with thorns is around the face, since feathers protect their bodies. We've had some scrapes and scratches from the wild raspberry and other thorny bushes growing around here but nothing serious.

 

[aart]

You can look at my channel on YouTube and see my run.

Or you could post some pics here

Be careful of planting hard stemmed stuff, they can tear the run down.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I trellis snow peas on my run each year but they're not very good for shade in the summer as they die down in heat. At least they're very lightweight and safe for the chickens to eat and they'll help themselves to any leaves they can reach.

Just make sure to take into the account the strength of the run vs the weight of the plants, as aart noted.

 

[paintedChix]

Some climbing peas like snow peas would be cool! And the chickens could enjoy a snack

I've seen some people do climbing roses but then there is a risk of the chickens getting pricked by a thorn

Make sure you use annual vegetable peas. The other ornamental pea plant(s) are poisonous to chickens.

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Climbing roses work. Any vegetable that vines - beans, cucumbers, zucchini. Smaller melon & squash varieties.

Any edible flowers that vine, can't think of these at moment. For shade & chicken feed next to run - sunflowers & juresulem artichokes (sunflower @ top, tuber in ground).

Rosemary will provide shade in run. Planted in raised bed, pot or in ground. Protect roots from chicken scratching until well established.

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Well, darn... Looks like several of my ideas already mentioned...

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

I grow hops on my fence. They grow from ground level to the top of the fence and over within weeks when spring finally springs. It provides some shade and also just pretties up the run fence a lot.

Also, if I ever decide to make beer again, I won't have far to go for ingredients.

 

[paintedChix]

I grow hops on my fence. They grow from ground level to the top of the fence and over within weeks when spring finally springs. It provides some shade and also just pretties up the run fence a lot.

Also, if I ever decide to make beer again, I won't have far to go for ingredients.

I was going to ask what you do with the hops...