Good plants/flowers for chicken run.

[Krugerrand]

I had intended to reply on this thread when it came out but before I knew it I lost track of it. If you haven't seen it yet, this thread has lots of helpful information on growing plants in the run:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-food-tower.1480872/
It has 22 pages already, so click when you have some time!

 

[linguini]

I would worry more about plants being torn up from the chickens scratching.

Must share my experience :

I cultivated two zones inside the fenced-in, aviary-net-covered chicken run area with wild flowers to add to a fun scenery for our chickens in spring. I closed these two zones with chicken wire after we sprinkled the wildflower seeds.

By mid summer, the flowers were blooming and quite beautiful, bees love them! So, I thought, time to give chickens access. I opened up the smaller zone, and they were just curiously checking out on the first day. So, I left it open. The next morning, they completely flattened the ENTIRE zone in two hours !! Nothing left standing.

Needless to say, I never opened up the other zone. Naughty chickens!

 

[Sammster]

I love growing nasturtium. They are beautiful, and safe for chickens. I plant mixed colors.

I know this is an older post, but thought I'd add this:

https://104homestead.com/chicken-safe-plants/

 

[Chicken love to infinity]

Upon doing research Lantanas are toxic to chickens so they arent an option. Any other flowers that are nice?

 

[Chicken love to infinity]

I will also plant lavender, roses, snap-dragons, daisy, dandelions, baby's breaths, bee balm, cone flowers, Echinacea, marigold, and rosemary + more herbs.

 

[CoopBoots]

Following for answers. I use tarps and old patio furniture to clutter/shade the run, but I'd love to grow something they would enjoy as well! I'm leaning towards Privet, Hawthorne, and Forsythia, mainly because I already have these on my property and it seems that chickens just adore bushes in general. At the same time, I don't want to specifically put things in the run that could be toxic so I need to do my homework first...

 

[Chicken love to infinity]

So it's ok if I plant lantanas in their run? Mine have been free-ranging for months around lantanas and have not gotten sick, but now doing research they are apparently toxic

 

[Chicken love to infinity]

Ok, so far I have created my own mix:

• Lavender
• Roses
• Snap-dragons
• Daisy
• Dandelions
• baby's breaths
• bee balm
• cone flowers/ Echinacea
• marigold
• Rosemary
• sage
• Thyme
• Peppermint
• Basil
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Zinnias
• Panzeys
• Violets
• maybe Hostas
• maybe Lantanas

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

Rosemary

 

[Chicken love to infinity]

I love growing nasturtium. They are beautiful, and safe for chickens. I plant mixed colors.

I know this is an older post, but thought I'd add this:

https://104homestead.com/chicken-safe-plants/

Thanks! I'm still looking for more plants, so any advice is helpful!