Did I waste my money?

[chickens really]

You don't need shavings in the Run part. I'd get rid of the cedar shavings. Better safe than sorry. Plus anything you plant they will destroy quickly..

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

You don't need shavings in the Run part. I'd get rid of the cedar shavings. Better safe than sorry. Plus anything you plant they will destroy quickly..

It is mulch, not shavings. People who use deep litter method add mulch to their runs.

 

[Folly's place]

I have trees and shrubs outside of the run, providing shade, and they lurk under them when out of the run. Mostly natives, and I haven't tried grasses right there. They will love to root around in the mulch, and some cedar, with more pine shavings and other 'stuff' should be fine.
I do have 2" to 4" rocks around the plants right next to the coop, which has protected their roots better.
Mary

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I have trees and shrubs outside of the run, providing shade, and they lurk under them when out of the run. Mostly natives, and I haven't tried grasses right there. They will love to root around in the mulch, and some cedar, with more pine shavings and other 'stuff' should be fine.
I do have 2" to 4" rocks around the plants right next to the coop, which has protected their roots better.
Mary

Problem with outside run planting is hubby mowing, trying not to complicate things for him. I do free range but only supervised.

 

[chickens really]

Problem with outside run planting is hubby mowing, trying not to complicate things for him. I do free range but only supervised.

I have huge pine trees and two Lilac bushes in front and around my Coop. My Coop is an old stucco gardenshed redone as a Coop and built into the hill.

 

[Folly's place]

Men with machines like to cut everything!
Chickens are jungle animals, and want tree and shrub cover, so they can find the critters in the mulch and forest duff, and have some shelter from flying predators. Can you set up a planting bed there? Shade is a very good thing too, and a winter wind break, if there's space.
'Lawn' is nowhere near the food and enrichment area that you could provide!
Fruiting shrubs! Herbs! Yummy weeds, wild violets, clover, dare I say dandelions?!
Mary

 

[Parront]

Problem with outside run planting is hubby mowing, trying not to complicate things for him. I do free range but only supervised.

Guys with mowers (and weed whackers) are probably a bigger threat to plantings than chickens! I lost a whole whiskey barrel of flowers to an over-enthusiastic helper who poured fertilizer in it! Straight, without mixing. Planter was dead and black in 24 hours! Have fun with your garden, chickens make great fertilizer. Next year that cedar will be perfect to dress your lawn or roses.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I have huge pine trees and two Lilac bushes in front and around my Coop. My Coop is an old stucco gardenshed redone as a Coop and built into the hill.

I have a huge pine sorta next to it but most the day it's sunny on that side which I like and so do they lol.

 

[chickens really]

You could plant fiddlehead ferns? I have them..

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

Men with machines like to cut everything!
Chickens are jungle animals, and want tree and shrub cover, so they can find the critters in the mulch and forest duff, and have some shelter from flying predators. Can you set up a planting bed there? Shade is a very good thing too, and a winter wind break, if there's space.
'Lawn' is nowhere near the food and enrichment area that you could provide!
Fruiting shrubs! Herbs! Yummy weeds, wild violets, clover, dare I say dandelions?!
Mary

Yeah he would mow my grass plants over as if it were just another clump of grass. Lmao. We pick a lot of things and throw in there, I also free range but only supervised.