Landscaping around coop & run

[MommA2K]

I've been so focused on the inside of the coop, but the warmer weather that is forecasted has me thinking about landscaping around the run. I'd love to see pictures or read what everyone has!

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

Just make sure the plants are not poisonous, but you will want larger shrubs or the chickens will tear plants apart.

 

[OlympicChick]

My raised garden is directly in the run:

Also in the run is a cattle panel that I have a Passionflower on:

I just got a potting bench for Mother's Day and that is out of reach of the hens:

Part of the cattle panel I had cut off is for peas:

Instead of having tomatoes in the raised bed, I decided this year to put them here (with basil, calendula and another flower):

In the shady area under the canopy I sowed crimson clover (don't know if they'll survive):

Not right next to the coop, but part of the back yard I have lavender, peonies, chives, rosemary, oregano, thyme and a rose which I am in the process of replacing with a different rose; oh, and 2 boxwoods that came with the house:

The arbor and clematis also came with the house, the wooden bridge I put in:

I'm still tidying everything up so it'll look beautiful and not haphazard and messy. The chickens fly the coop, so I've been working on chicken proofing my flower beds. It's a pain in the butt. I put in the bridge because I want to be able to walk everywhere in my backyard barefoot (there are rocks under the bridge from the previous owner; there had been rocks everywhere), obviously not in the run and coop though!

 

[Mamatomany123]

This is my first year planting. I put some lavender on the outside of the run and they were growing nicely. Was even a bit excited because I let my chickens free range while I'm outside and they arent supposed to est lavender plants.

Nope! My freaking chickens run straight for it every time

 

[Mamatomany123]

And heres where I put some succulents and flowers.

 

[OlympicChick]

Oh yeah, they will dig and dig and dig. They don't eat the herbs, but destroy the dirt all around them, leaving flying dirt bits everywhere!

 

[Mtnboomer]

Grape vine works great planted in the outside of the fence. It will climb and provide shade in the summer and when loses its leaves the sun still gets through it in winter. Plus everyone, including you, gets a snack.
Blueberries are great inside and out of the run. Outside along the fence and the bitds can pick off berries through the fence without damaging the plants. Inside the run, place the bushes in raised beds about 2'x2'. This will keep excess nitrogen and phosphorus from building up and burning the roots, prevents soil compaction and excessive scratching.
Of course any plant in the run will require protection for at least the 1st season to allow the plant to get established before allowing chickens access.

 

[Mtnboomer]

And heres where I put some succulents and flowers.

Dont eat the herbs? What herbs you have? My birds love to nip at my basil, oregano, and thyme. They also pick my dill through the garden fence. They don't cause any significant damage and its healthy for them

 

[OlympicChick]

They don't eat my herbs. That's my personal experience. I'm guessing it probably depends on what else is around for them to get into.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I trellis peas on my run fence. The girls enjoy what bits they can pick off, and the peas get 6' of fencing to climb.