Plant suggestions for chicken run

[DocMulc]

We are in Western North Carolina. The storm and fallen trees destroyed our chicken run. (Our coop survived!) I need to rebuild my free range area. The area is on a hill, and becomes a bit of a mud slide as the chickens turn up the grass. The dirt has a lot of clay. I would like evergreens or things that will provide them with shelter during the winter.

What would you plant?

What do you suggest?

Thank you in advance!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Glad you and yours weathered it mostly unscathed. What's your USDA growing zone???

I'm warmer than you (8a) but also dealing w/ clay soils, run off (on one of the few "hills" in Florida, and have been building my free range area for a couple years - may have some things that work for me which will work for you.

 

[DocMulc]

We are 7a and 7b.

I would love to hear what has worked for you.

 

[RoyalChick]

Plant native plants for your area. They will be tougher and withstand the chickens better.

In terms of shrubs, place some pavers or bricks or similar around the plant to stop them digging up the roots. You can remove those once the shrub is establish - although TBH I never do!

I am steadily growing a chicken area with lots of shrub cover for them and they do seem to really appreciate it.

Good luck with your project, and I am happy to hear you came through the hurricane more-or-less intact.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Clovers should do well for you. Better than for me, certainly. I **think** you are just cool enough for orchard grass, which likes part shade. Scribner's panic grass will do well for you, does well for me here too. Kentucky blue.

Oregano and Mints will both do well for you once established - and they are hard to kill.

Creeping Jenny and Creeping Thyme. Sadly slow spreading.

Buckwheat will do better for you than for me (I'm too hot). Sorghum, red sorrel.

Gooseberry, currants, bugloss and spiderworts.

All ground covers.

For bushes that will do well, look to blueberries, loganberry, elderberry.

You have some trees you can plant, as well - but I'm struggling with mine due to the clays - tendency to "bathtub" the soil, causing root rot when we get good rains. You will need to look at what works best in your area in terms of apples, peaches, pears.

 

[paintedChix]

I'm glad you weathered the storm and very sorry you lost your coop.

Everyone else has great recommendations so I can't at the moment add to the list.