Coop and run vegetation

[laruec]

Hi! I've posted some pictures of my new chicken coop and run. The run surrounds the coop and is approximately 20x 18. I have 8 hens, and they seem quite content. I cannot free range them due to my small yard and problems with the neighbors (if it was up to them, I wouldn't even have chickens). I am wondering if anyone knows a good source of vegetation/growth that I can put in the run. I give them vegetables and fruit regularly- it's more so that they can enjoy the run better- I'm not terribly worried nutrition-wise. I had some lillies planted in there, but they have completely eaten them all- is it worth trying to plant anything? If so, what?

Also- the run is in the shade
Thanks!

 

[DawnSuiter]

That is a lot of space, and so far based on my experience if you COULD get something to grow in there, in that space, 8 hens would destroy it all. I have kept 2-3 chickens in that amount of space and they did NOT destroy everything, just a few spots where they liked to dustbathe.

If you want to look at things growing, or want to provide some fresh grass etc FOR them I would suggest that you DIVIDE your run into smaller "pastures" and plant them accordingly. Once grown, open that "pasture" up to your chickens, close off another, and repeat the process over and over again.

I'm not sure which plants are good to grow really, clover I hear is popular. Whatever it is, pick something that sprouts quickly. The WHAT to plant is a bit easy to find on here via search and I'm sure someone else will chime in here too on both topics.

If you plant NOTHING, then get ready for the mud. Add stepping stones for yourself to trudge through the muck in the run, and make some place to dry store a few bales of hay which help a lot.

Good luck!

 

[laruec]

Hi, thanks for that! I actually didn't think of pasturing it at all, and that is a really great idea. I have extra fencing material, so it shouldn't be too hard!

 

[lavacaw]

Be sure to select something that will take a fairly high nitrogen content in the soil. Chickens have that effect and blooming plants don't always like high nitrogen.

 

[DawnSuiter]

Sure no problem, I think most of us wish we had chicken runs large enough to rotate a small pasture on.

 

[laruec]

another great tip lavacaw thanks! It will definitely be a small rotating pasture, but I figure that it's better than nothing, especially since I can't let them out!

 

[montana girl]

What a perfectly cute coop and run! It looks like a little lake cottage, I think I want to book a room

darlene

 

[laruec]

aww, thanks darlene! I have a husband who is a carpenter- comes in handy!