Plants around the run?

[Gallo del Cielo]

I also recommend grape vines. I have three vines that grow up through the center of my run and over the top. In my climate and situation the chickens would not survive without the shade the vines provide. They also provide nearly continuous forage for the chickens from spring though November. They really like the leaves. We also get well over 100 lbs of grapes every summer, which is a big bonus.

Here are some old pics of my run in spring before the vines grow out and later in early summer.

 

[Mahlzeit]

That is a cool setup. Is it a pain when the leaves start to die off and make a mess? Do you use the grapes for yourselves also? 100lbs is a lot of grapes.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

That is a cool setup. Is it a pain when the leaves start to die off and make a mess? Do you use the grapes for yourselves also? 100lbs is a lot of grapes.

Thanks! I guess it's all in your definition of "mess."

For us, no. Certainly no more than the giant eucalyptus tree that towers over the coop. It sheds leaves, bark and branches all year long. There is the task of pruning the vines every winter, which requires some work. 100 lbs is a lot of grapes but it doesn't make all that many raisins. Well, enough to keep us in raisins for the year anyway. The chickens also eat a lot grapes, they get every bunch within jumping height. It's fun to watch.

 

[One Chick Two]

• Agreed, Gallo del Cielo grapevines are not so bad as far as mess. And really like your setup!
• Purchase bare root vines now in the NW as you can find good ones for under $10. Also, it takes a few years for vines to produce much, so keep that in mind.

Another few things I forgot to mention that worked well for us are thornless blackberries and thornless raspberries. We trellis those with grapes, and cut back like grapevines, so they don't take over, but provide treats and variety.

 

[Texasgirl1199]

We have blackberries in our run! The chickens love hiding under them! They have it to where it looks like a little chicken hut and they loved going (and staying) under there when the chicks hatched!