Need advice for the best vines and plants for in a chicken run!

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

I'm not a fan of vines around a chicken coop .You'd never see a snake among the flowers and vines

I have never seen a snake around here, except maybe a Garter snake. Will they kill a chicken? I think they are too small for that... What type of snake would kill a chicken? The only venomous snake I have here in North ID would be the Western Rattlesnake, and they wouldn't be in a neighborhood.

I have heard of snakes killing chickens, but would these types kill them? These are the only snakes found in North ID:

• Western Terrestrial Garter Snake: This snake is brown or dark gray, with a dull yellow or brown stripe down the middle of its back. They are typically found near water but also in open meadows and evergreen forests
• Common Garter Snake: This species is black with red blotches and three stripes: a bright yellow one down the middle of its back and a buff or yellow one down either side. They are found statewide, typically near water but also in open meadows and evergreen forests.
• Northern Rubber Boa: This snake lives in forested, rocky areas and spends much of its life underground.
• Long-nosed Snake: Found mostly along the Snake River corridor in Owyhee and Ada counties, this snake is very rare. It's notable for its black and white speckled bands.
• Western Rattlesnake: This is the only venomous snake in Idaho. They are most common in rocky areas but can also be found around water. They are distinguishable by the sound of their rattle, a triangular-shaped head, and patterned scales that range from tan to brown to gray.

I'm not trying to shut down your point, I'm just curious about if snakes is a risk I have to think about here. Thanks for the reply and warning!

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

Hi.



My chickens steal my grapes, and they don't die from it...

Grapes are NOT toxic to chickens.
I mean... some people say that chickens that eat grapes might lay less eggs... but personally, I did not observe it with my own chickens, and they really eat A LOT of my grapes...!



Hmmmm...
Pictures of your run would really help here...

I don't think you should put grape vines on your run, because the branches can be really heavy once there are grapes on them... and you don't want them to destroy your wire, right?

What you could want to choose instead, if you want fruits, is : thornless blackberry.
(But then, you would need to move the branches yourself as they grow...!)

I recommend it because, from my personal experience, thornless blackberries can entirely cover a fence, provide a lot of shade (and fruits), and have the advantage to be light enough to not destroy fences - even when the branches are covered with fruits...



With grapes vines, your dog will still harass your chickens through the fence half a year...



Yes.

You can put stepping stones : they will proctect the roots by preventing the chickens to scratch the earth, keep the humidity underneath so it can benefit the plants, and are even decorative...

You can also put heavy, concrete statues - just so you think about it... will make your run pretty to look at!
But if you do, choose statues that are low on the ground, so your chickens can not make them fall by digging at their feet and risk to hurt themselves because of it...!



You could plant :
• Lavender,
• Rosemary,
• Sage (Salvia officinalis),
• Fruit bushes,
• etc...

For the record : my chickens particularly love to go in my rosemaries and my sages, so they can hide themselves from kites and diverse predators, be protected from wind, and have shade...
(Advantage is : they are evergreen plants!)



What about the roof?

Because if it is high enough, you could want to plant Bamboo ("Fargesia" only!!) at the CENTER of your run.

Fargesia are NOT invasive, but you would still do good by not taking any risk, and so, by planting them far enough from your fences!



Don't plant Mint : Mint is invasive, so it will eventually take roots everywhere, and choke out your other plants...!!

Plant Thyme instead...

Lavender is good, and will have the advantage to drive away mites and lice thanks to its smell...!

Your chickens won't eat Carnation and Marigold flowers, so I recommend you to plant them if you want colours in your yard.

Thank you so much for your comment, your points made a lot of sense and were very helpful!!
I want to put a roof on the run, but the tree makes it hard. What are the advantages to putting bamboo in the run?
Here are some pictures of my run:

 

[tlcmurphy]

Grapes aren’t toxic to chickens, or else @fuzzi would have no chickens. Where did you read this? I’m not being accusatory; it’s just that there is a LOT of BS online regarding chickens.

I wouldn’t try to plant shrubs inside the run, but if you’re determined to, then yes, welded wire or HWC would help.

Nope, mine LOVE grapes! Full on chicken mob scene when I bring them out.

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

We had lots of grape vines in our yard and the chickens never messed with them except to hang out under them in the shade looking for bugs. They also liked our thornless blackberry for the same reason although I’m sure they ate some berries. I planted a boysenberry and several honey suckle around our coop. A big blackberry bush can provide shade and enrichment but it takes a few years to get to that point. Honeysuckle grows quickly but it doesn’t provide a lot of shade. I planted herbs in a pot outside the coop and I also put things inside the run to block the chickens from pecking at any part of the vining plants while they were young. Hope that helps

I like the idea of thornless blackberries. My chickens used to have access to a raspberry bush and they LOVED it, but they are no longer aloud in there as it is not safe anymore.
How quickly do thornless blackberries grow? Are they a bush or can they climb a wall to provide shelter and shade for the chickens? Are they high maintenance?

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

I purchased a metal trellis, placed it outside of one wall of our chicken run, and planted night blooming jasmine. I had read that this plant is not good for chickens, so I always keep it trimmed so that the chickens cannot get to it. It has grown quite fast, has a lovely fragrance, and offers the chickens a little hide-away place.

I was thinking about planting a night blooming jasmine! I would love to have such a nice smelling plant in my run! I also like it because it is evergreen. I know you keep yours out of the chickens reach, but do you think mine would mess with it if it was planted on the run fence? My thought is that if it is toxic, they wont touch it. Free range chickens would die very fast if they ate everything they saw XD.

 

[Papaye]

Thank you so much for your comment, your points made a lot of sense and were very helpful!!

You are welcome!

What are the advantages to putting bamboo in the run?

Fargesia provide shade all year round, and will eventuallt grow big enough - even though they are non-invasive - to protect your chickens from wind if needed.

But if you plant one, really put it around the center of your run, so there is NO risk for it to do any damage.
(I strongly recommend you to ask a seller so to get an expert's opinion!!)

Here are some pictures of my run:

Thank you.

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

You are welcome!



Fargesia provide shade all year round, and will eventuallt grow big enough - even though they are non-invasive - to protect your chickens from wind if needed.

But if you plant one, really put it around the center of your run, so there is NO risk for it to do any damage.
(I strongly recommend you to ask a seller so to get an expert's opinion!!)



Thank you.

I really like the idea of bamboo! It is very pretty and I think they would like it. Could they eat the leaves? I love that it is perennial AND evergreen. Thanks for the idea!

 

[Papaye]

Free range chickens would die very fast if they ate everything they saw XD.

Be careful.
My favorite chicken hen ever has died from eating a toxic bulb she had dug from the ground...

Sometimes, birds are stupid!
(I mean... I have seen chickens eat metal screws...!)

Could they eat the leaves?

No.

I have different types of bamboo in my yard, and the chickens don't eat their leaves.
(In fact, even the ducks don't touch them... even though they are said to eat the leaves!)

Thanks for the idea!

You are welcome.

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

I have different types of bamboo in my yard, and the chickens don't eat their leaves.

Do they not eat them because they are toxic? If they are, should I put them in my run? Like you said "Sometimes, birds are stupid!"

 

[Papaye]

Do they not eat them because they are toxic? If they are, should I put them in my run?

I am no expert on bamboo, but from what I know : Fargesia are NOT toxic.

It is safe to put in your run, and your chickens will actually - eventually - love to sleep next to it, because it will make them feel safe(r).