planting treats next to run

[birdbrain2]

does anyone place plants next to their run so hens can feed threw fencing? looking for ideas. something that would grow back fast. of coarse pics would be great too.
i was just reading how clover is the best grazing feed livestock can eat. very nutritious.

i was also thing of making a flower box with a raised lid ( a few inches above soil) made of wire fencing. then planting something like lettuce, the hens could eat what comes out of fencing.

 

[Wifezilla]

I was thinking of doing this. I have an open patch of dirt right next to the pen. I was trying to think of a plant that would like having dirty duck water dumped on it daily

 

[nightshade]

I know the swamp blueberries I have planted at the drain of my pond ( an old steel bath tub) love the duck water and doubled in size or better over the summer this year. Also the chickies loved the blueberries they could reach through the fence. I have been thinking about planting a fruit tree or two to shade the run and I figured the girls could eat the drop fruits too. Not sure what else to plant to though possibly vining beans maybe?

 

[Wifezilla]

Beans or peas that could climb the fencing. The clover sounds like a good idea too. Kale grows like crazy where I live too. Hummmmmm

 

[Dawn419]

Here's a pic of my container gardens from 2007:

I grew 3 different types of tomatoes, Basil, Thyme and Parsley.

Can't fine any pix from the 2008 season but I spread the containers apart more. Added a trellis for cucumbers, grew more tomatoes and the above listed herbs. Tried peas and beans but the squirrels decided they were for them, instead. I also added sunflowers there this year which the squirrels also got...right as the seed heads were ripe.

This coming season, I'll be adding dog hair on top of the compost/mulch as a squirrel deterrent.


Dawn


Edited to add: I also feed alot of "greens" from our yard...Field Greens for Chickens

 

[joebryant]

I'm thinking about planting kale and/or collards around my south coop.

 

[birdbrain2]

I like the idea of pole green beans that would work well.
i have never heard or had kale. had to look it up. apparently it is very good for you, i will have to add that to the garden, not just for chicks but in the kitchen too.

dawn419......do you have cats? i have one, plus some neighbors cats around, they keep squirrels and rabbits at bay. well at least for me.

 

[Wifezilla]

I have 3 cats. They don't chase the squirrels away at all. I love my cats, but they are completely useless.

 

[Dawn419]

Quote:
Hi bb2!

I used to feed the stray cats that would show up here but when we adopted our Australian Shepherd she decided it was her job to run them all off. She does a great job running the squirrels off when she's outdoors but there's not much she can do when we leave the house and she's put up inside.

I swear that those squirrels would wait until they knew we'd be going some place, the dog would be indoors and then plot their attack!

Dawn

 

[BeardedChick]

I didn't do it on purpose, but I planted tomatoes next to the run and the girls had a GREAT time pecking holes in every single ripe tomato!

I also planted sorghum and it eventually leaned over the run, and they ate the heads on that. It grows big fluffy seed heads.

This Spring I am planning to cover crop my garden with clover and maybe rye and let them forage.

The question is - then will I be able to keep them out of the garden? Once they get used to going in, they are little devils to keep out.