my coop and run... I need ideas for what else to do with it!

[timierinrn]

Hey everyone! here is my coop and run. we just bought a pre-fabricated coop and eventually want to build a new one. My husband built the run for me (he still has to add the roof) and my birds like it, but I feel like I need more things in there for them to climb on and hide under.

Any ideas for what to put in the coop and what landscaping to do around it?

 

[Hamstery]

I would put a stick or something in the run for them to roost on. As far as landscaping around it....it depends on how curious your bird will get and what they will destroy. It would look great with a mulched section all around the run with hosta.....but I am pretty sure hosta is a green of choice for chickens to munch on. If they won't be free ranging, you'd be all set.

 

[novanod1966]

well, if you're a gardener; you could plant some tomatoes inside the pen (next to the coop). dont expect to get any tomatoes from the plants however. chickens love to eat ripe ones; but, it's a good way to furnish some greens and veggies. if you do this you need to put wire cages around the plants for support (or stakes to tie the plants to). if you have a very large enclosure you could attach a couple of tree limbs to the corners (like a small jungle gym of perches), but dont over do as you may at some point want to catch them. the more furnishings you give the chickens, the more obstacles in YOUR path when you catch them. i wouldnt bother planting too much inside the run as chickens like to dig and bury themselves in the dirt (lol). they dust bathe.

good luck,

don

 

[crazychickenwom]

Mine love the root I built them out of old wood, but they love the rocks even more! If you have the chance to pick up some used for landscaping, the bigger ones, the girls will love to sun bathe on them and play queen of the mountain. Also, they are easy to clean off, just spray with water, and easy to rearrange when they get bored.

 

[joan1708]

An old wagon wheel for the chickens to perch on would look cute in there. Even an old wagon for them to perch on or get under for shade would be kinda cute. Everything is going to get pooped on, so keep that in mind. Tomato plants may be poisonous to chickens (the leaves, stems, not the fruit). The grass inside will be gone in short order also. You will need hardwood mulch or something if you don't want muddy chickens. I would plant trees on the outside to give your girls some shade. Fruit trees would be nice.

 

[mondotomhead]

That is a great and decorative job on the run! Very nice......

My run too, needed "something". In front of the run I filled huge pots with Miracle Grow dirt and planted morning glorys, sunflowers and nastursiams (sp?). I'm hoping the morning glorys climb up and around the run. Or just plant pots of geraniums (on the outside, of course!)

For inside you could put in anything the chickens could climb on or fly up on, like an old bench a saw horse, a wooden box. You could get hubby to nail a 2 x 4 to the inside corners for them to roost on. Hang a cabbage. Chickens love cabbage! You could either make a box or use a kids pool and fill it with peat moss and sand for dust baths.

 

[timierinrn]

I love all of the great ideas! thank you everyone!

I am def going to make a little sand box for them.

 

[Red Barn Farms]

That is a great and decorative job on the run! Very nice......

My run too, needed "something". In front of the run I filled huge pots with Miracle Grow dirt and planted morning glorys, sunflowers and nastursiams (sp?). I'm hoping the morning glorys climb up and around the run. Or just plant pots of geraniums (on the outside, of course!)

For inside you could put in anything the chickens could climb on or fly up on, like an old bench a saw horse, a wooden box. You could get hubby to nail a 2 x 4 to the inside corners for them to roost on.

Quote:

ou could either make a box or use a kids pool and fill it with peat moss and sand for dust baths.

How did you introduce your chickens to cabbage. I've tried giving cabbage to my flock and they act scared and run away from a head of cabbage.

I left it in their run for over 24 hours, nothing, I tossed it!

 

[downsm75]

How did you introduce your chickens to cabbage.  I've tried giving cabbage to my flock and they act scared and run away from a head of cabbage. :cd  I left it in their run for over 24 hours, nothing, I tossed it!  

Try watermelon. My chicks eat it up QUICKLY

 

[blessedchick]

What a beautiful run! I agree with all of the above...my Silkies love the rocks of all sizes that I have placed in their run. They jump from rock to rock or drape across them to sunbathe. I planted 3 planters of wave petunias on the outside but these quickly became salad bars during recess (free range time). The book "Free Range Chicken Gardens" has been recommended to me and it would probably have great ideas for landscaping with chicken friendly plants. Have a blast!!