Plants you can plant around the run + a few starting pics of coop.

[Whispering Winds]

Since we are talking about plants and toxins and the like, does anyone know if Castor Beans are toxic to any kind of feathered friend, as they grow huge and are such good shade providers and are actually quite pretty!

 

[joletabey]

Hibiscus. Big, with a long blooming period. They could provide shade, and I haven't seen any chickens eating the fallen blossoms or bothering the leaves.

 

[Davaroo]

Has anyone mentioned amaranth and sunflower? They grow tall and provide shade, then when the season turns, they can provide welcome nourishment.

Also many of the woody perennial herbs are favorites in the chicken yard. Rosemary has already been mentioned. But there is also bay laurel, fennel, oregano, lovage, tarragon, lavender, catnip, etc.

Perhaps the thing to do is to try these as plantings in pots for a season, and see how they do. If the chickens leave them alone, then you can make them permanent.

 

[scooter147]

Bamboo.
I planted some on the outside of the run on the west side.
I grows tall and thick and make great shade and stays green all winter.

 

[3KillerBs]

Is rosemary hardy in your area?

Rosemary and sage both grow as large, handsome shrubs that are fragrant year round.

 

[washingtonannie]

My hens had the entire yard to peruse and they munched on both rosemary and mint. Now that we have their yard completed, we want to put some live bushes in there for shade. I had considered putting mint along the outside of their fence. Since they love it, do I need to worry if it will harm the chickens?

 

[jfayesowell]

We use to have mint growing wild everywhere. We let the chickens free range and the mint has not come back for years. I just started some in a fenced off chicken free zone.

Butterfly bushes are pretty and attract butterflies, but are an invasive problem in Oregon because they are such quick growing/spreading plants and they choke out natives along the waterways. You are not supposed to even put their clippings in the green waste recycle. But they still sell it everywhere and no one would say boo to you for planting it, but it is a problem.

I love honey suckle, my jasmine smells good but doesn't thrive unless it's planted against a wall to retain heat and stop breezes circulating and cooling the plant. I planted mint inside the run. Normally invasive but I figured the ladies will eat it back as fast as it can grow.

 

[paintedChix]

We use to have mint growing wild everywhere. We let the chickens free range and the mint has not come back for years. I just started some in a fenced off chicken free zone.

Hi jfayesowell! This is an older thread. You may want to find a current one to continue talking about growing plants in the run.

There are a few!

Welcome to BYC!! I see this is only 2 messages from you since you joined.

What kind of coop/run do you have? How many chickens & where do you live?

 

[littlecoopnextdoor]

Look into plants that are native to your region~ they will grow best and many of them won’t be tasty for the chickens to devour, and some will be snacks. Here’s a local native plant nursery https://www.portlandnursery.com/natives

Red osier dogwood is a nice barrier, has great little berries chickens love and also has lovely winter interest. Take a look on that website for inspiration.