plants for in/around coop

[lily1]

What plants are good for shade in/around the coop that the chickens wont eat? They love to find shady spots under things to hide in the spring, but once my garden is in and I have them cooped up I feel bad,

that while they have ample space it is barren. Just looking to make the run more homey

 

[Nostalchic]

I planted a row of Nanking cherry bushes on the west side of my run (which is really big) and put chicken wire hoops around them to protect them from the chickens while they get started. As they get established and bigger, I won't care if the chickens eat the lower leaves that they can reach, which will open it up underneath and will give them a cool place to get under on hot days, cover from hawks (my run isn't covered) and a bit of a windbreak. I decided to do this when I observed how much my neighbor's chickens love it under her Nanking cherries when they are out free ranging. I also planted a pear tree in the run, also protected with a 4' chicken wire hoop. Seems to be working nicely and, again, when the tree is bigger, they won't hurt it. But if the run isn't very big, there's almost nothing that they won't eat so you'll need to protect it initially at least.

 

[koonaone]

caragana is pretty good, it grows very fast and produces lots of a high nitrogen seed that "pops" out of the pods when ripe. From wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caragana_arborescens

Caragana arborescens, or Caragana or Siberian peashrub, is a species of legume. It is a perennial shrub growing to heights of 12 feet or more. Typically, it has a moderate to fast growth rate, being able to grow one to three feet during the first year after trimming. The plant is native to Siberia and parts of China and neighboring Mongolia and Kazakhstan. It is commonly grown throughout the northern hemisphere as a landscaping plant and ornamental..........

I haven't eaten them myself but chickens love them and they really produce a lot.