Landscaping around coop/run?

[Hopperkiller]

What a great thread.
I have been growing sprouts for my chickens...they won’t eat them
Our property is new to us as we just bought it in August. There are no less than 26 rose bushes on the property. Most of them are in the backyard with the chickens.
They have scalloped stone beds around them and 2-4” rock also. It seems to keep weeds at bay.
It’s not as nice looking as mulch IMO.
The chickens do scratch in the rocks but they don’t really displace it.
There’s also bulb flowers too. Mostly Iris, I think. And clematis. And other things I can’t identify.
The rest is lawn. Lots and lots of lawn lol.
I’ve been trying to look up native flowers and shrubs to plant that would withstand the chickens.
We do want to plant some vegetables but we’ll probably fence them off from the flock.
One thing I’m trying to figure out is how to create more “cover” for them when they’re free ranging on the grass.
It’s very open back there.
And how to keep them off of the deck?

My wife built a large fairy garden next to the driveway. She had me build a fence around it to keep them out of that area. Look close and what do you see. Was it pass or fail?

 

[IamRainey]

Our coop and the chicken yard around it is mostly in deep shade. It was once my grandson's play yard and I let nasturtiums grow in there because the flowers and leaves are so sweet I'm really charmed by them and I thought he might be too.

Well, he hasn't been out there to that sandbox in 4 years and we moved the rope swing elsewhere where he could swing in a bigger arc. That made it a nice protected spot for the coop. And in that time the nasturtiums have taken over like jungle plants. My chickens LOVE it so I grab handfuls of vine and throw them in the run. They're on it like white on rice!

When I let them out to forage in the fenced yard around the run they are merciless to the vines. But it's sturdy stuff and they couldn't eat half of it in 2 weeks so it just keeps recovering and coming back.

Other than that, and, really, for pretty, I put a window box on the side of the coop below their window. It's up about 5' so they can't get to it. It has some colorful petunias, violets and some trailing herbs. When it gets a little more overgrown I'll toss some of the violets and herbs into the run.

Inside the run there's a tall branched tree limb planted upright. You guys have inspired me to think about what could be in a hanging basket on it. I wonder if it would be too dark for pea vines and pole beans??? I've got the seeds and I could always start them out in a sunnier spot so they could get long enough for the chickens to reach the low-hanging tips. Mint might cascade too. I'll try it and see.

I think I'll also plant some clumping herbs at the end of their run that gets a bit of sun. I can see them picking at it through the hardware cloth. I think I've got some thyme that could use dividing. Maybe the sage could too.

 

[Hopperkiller]

Our coop and the chicken yard around it is mostly in deep shade. It was once my grandson's play yard and I let nasturtiums grow in there because the flowers and leaves are so sweet I'm really charmed by them and I thought he might be too.

Well, he hasn't been out there to that sandbox in 4 years and we moved the rope swing elsewhere where he could swing in a bigger arc. That made it a nice protected spot for the coop. And in that time the nasturtiums have taken over like jungle plants. My chickens LOVE it so I grab handfuls of vine and throw them in the run. They're on it like white on rice!

When I let them out to forage in the fenced yard around the run they are merciless to the vines. But it's sturdy stuff and they couldn't eat half of it in 2 weeks so it just keeps recovering and coming back.

Other than that, and, really, for pretty, I put a window box on the side of the coop below their window. It's up about 5' so they can't get to it. It has some colorful petunias, violets and some trailing herbs. When it gets a little more overgrown I'll toss some of the violets and herbs into the run.

Inside the run there's a tall branched tree limb planted upright. You guys have inspired me to think about what could be in a hanging basket on it. I wonder if it would be too dark for pea vines and pole beans??? I've got the seeds and I could always start them out in a sunnier spot so they could get long enough for the chickens to reach the low-hanging tips. Mint might cascade too. I'll try it and see.

I think I'll also plant some clumping herbs at the end of their run that gets a bit of sun. I can see them picking at it through the hardware cloth. I think I've got some thyme that could use dividing. Maybe the sage could too.

You inspired me to look up nasturtium cuz it its never was in my vegetable garden.

 

[IamRainey]

This site has a lot of info about nasties. And it has a pic of one of my favorite things about them: the way the water "bounces" off of the leaves and then settles on them like little jewels. If you have kids or grandkids they'll find it fun too.

I collect the flowers and soak them in seasoned rice vinegar. I usually do 2-3 infusions over the course of a couple weeks. The vinegar will take on a lovely color and a peppery flavor.

 

[Teila]

My wife built a large fairy garden next to the driveway. She had me build a fence around it to keep them out of that area. Look close and what do you see. Was it pass or fail?View attachment 1271447

 

[IamRainey]

This has been such an interesting discussion that I stopped by the nursery on the way home from a doctor's appointment.

Here is the new bed I planted along the side of the run. It has ornamental kale, oregano, catnip, marjoram, parsley, thyme, marigolds and calendula.

They've already been pecking at what they can reach. ...but that's what it's there for. I'm going to keep them in their run and give the plants a chance to establish.

Here's a pic of the window box directly above that will drip water into the herbs below.

 

[IamRainey]

I am really getting into this! It's fun and it's improved the appearance of my Imaginary Farm. Today I planted French lavender underneath the nesting boxes. Four gallon sized plants should turn into a decent sized "hedge" that will allow the girls to snack from inside the run and still permit the plants to recover.

I also planted a hanging sphere with peas around the bottom and marigolds at the top. It was intended to hang inside the run with the peas growing down within their reach but it's really cute and so now I'm reluctant to let them have their way with it.

It's hanging in a tree outside their yard. Maybe after it's had a chance to establish I'll decide where the best spot for it is. And this may change over time because, at the moment, the trees are bare and there's more sun around the chicken yard than there will be when the walnut and fig trees leaf out.

Mostly, this is becoming an exercise in learning what's safe for them, what's not and what can survive them.

How is everyone else coming? Or is it too early for you guys yet? I'm anxious to be inspired by what you're doing!

 

[RUNuts]

I picked up some 45 gallon nursery tree pots. Place them outside the run after considering coating with chicken wire and inside the flight cage. I'm considering several vining types. Sweet potatoes (edible leaves unlike true potatoes), Maypop, peas and tomatoes. Will most likely wind up with an eclectic mix to see what does best. The anti dog area may have some planted in the ground. Lots of ideas - seeing how this develops.

 

[IamRainey]

Speaking of what's safe for the chickens and what's not, I've come up with a number of lists that have helpful info. Note that all the lists don't include all the same plants and some plants (like alyssum which I was specifically looking for this morning) aren't on any of the lists (so I guess it's the compost pile instead for the alyssum trimmings). Also note there are plants which we consider prime edibles that are on the chicken Not Safe lists like raw beans and all varieties of the allium (onion) family. Watch out for those things and don't forget who shouldn't have them!

SAFE

• http://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2012/05/top-ten-flowers-your-chickens-will-love.html
• https://104homestead.com/chicken-safe-plants/

NOT SAFE

• http://www.poultryhelp.com/toxicplants.html#H
• https://www.hobbyfarms.com/14-toxic-plants-your-chickens-must-avoid-3/
• http://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2012/05/top-ten-flowers-your-chickens-will-love.html
• https://poultrykeeper.com/general-chickens/poisonous-plants-chickens/

I hope everyone will add lists that they find that are more comprehensive or just plain informative.

 

[IamRainey]

Here are pix of the new lavender hedge and a close up of the pea ball.