Plants around coop

[Taralove]

I would like to plants so e plants around my coop so it doesn't look so plain but nothing that would hurt my chickens or something they would destroy and suggestions?

 

[N F C]

This is a link to an article in the Learning Center...maybe there are some ideas here for you:
chicken-safe-plants.65750

P.S. Chickens can and will eat or dig up just about any plant. If you want to have your plantings safe from the flock, put up some type of barrier (such as fencing).

 

[rosemarythyme]

If they can reach it, they'll destroy it. Even if they don't want to eat it they'll rip it up or dig up the roots.

That said I currently have a garden bed behind my run where I grow peas and trellis them up the run fence. For this year's crop I built up the beds higher so the chickens can't manage to pluck out the plants through the hardware cloth (yes they're determined!) but the chickens are allowed to have anything that they can reach above that bottom foot or so.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I have lilacs planted on the north side of my run.
They are huge now and give summer shade.

Yes every leaf they can reach has been eliminated. Even the ones they have to jump for.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yes every leaf they can reach has been eliminated. Even the ones they have to jump for.

Oh yes, they're very good at jumping for leaves. I have a weeping willow over/around the run and even the heaviest birds will hop up and down trying to grab a leaf. All the leaves from ground level to about 2' up are completely gone.

 

[leighks]

I put a dogwood shrub in their fenced area last fall- they dug up the mulch but didn’t bother the shrub too much. Buds are just starting now so we will see how it goes...

 

[Bantamgirl715]

Chickens hate nasturtium, and cosmos.

 

[aart]

If they can reach it, they'll destroy it. Even if they don't want to eat it they'll rip it up or dig up the roots.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

I would like to plants so e plants around my coop so it doesn't look so plain but nothing that would hurt my chickens or something they would destroy and suggestions?

Hi, I have several coops and put plants around them with no trouble from the girls. I have some pics posted below and will show you what I came up with.

This is The Kuntry Klucker, my largest coop. Beside the door I have attached two handing baskets filled with petunias. I have also attached and little window flower box above the metal cans, again filled with flowers. The girls don't bother them because they are well above their heads, but add a tough of beauty to the coop.

In front of the outdoor pen that both Henwarts (the blue and white coop) you see there and The Kuntry Klucker share, I have a row of cinder blocks that I use as planters. These blocks are great because they don't require any maintenance just add dirt and flowers. Again I go with the petunias because they are such prolific bloomers.

Another plant that I like to plant near my coops are Butterfly bushes. I like these because they are fast growers, get large, attract beauty, and provide shade and hiding places for the girls during the day. Here is a pic of another of my coops called the Bantom Botique.

You can also set pots out with annuals in them. They might get a little picked on but for the most part the girls seem to leave them alone if they are not at ground level.

you can always plant spices. in my experience, the girls are not too fond of them and they can at times reduce pests around the coops. In my spice garden I have two small coops, I mainly use these at broody breakers and in some cases hospital coops if needed. I have a huge spice garden, I just put the coops right in there with the plant. So that may be an idea for you as well.

A hydrangea is also another plant that they tend to leave alone but offers them shade during the day. They grow a little slower so you might have to put chicken wire around it for the first year or so, but that is another plant that I have had success with.

Anyway, sorry for the long reply, I hope this helps. I am going to leave a link to my blog for you. I have a post entitled "Coops and Blooms" that you might enjoy. Its all about my coops and the various plants that I have around the chicken yard, it may be of help to you.

https://thekuntryklucker.blog/2019/05/07/coops-and-blooms/

 

[SurferchickinSB]

I would like to plants so e plants around my coop so it doesn't look so plain but nothing that would hurt my chickens or something they would destroy and suggestions?

Well, they will destroy almost everything unless you fence it off.