Reintroducing myself

[Sfiddler54]

Hello. Just wanted to show some pictures of our updated run. I am somewhat new here and just wanted to reintroduce myself. I currently live in TN. I have 13 chickens. 4 Cinnamon Queens, 5 Golden Comets, and 4 Bard Rocks. I have not yet had them a year yet. Come March they will be 1 year old. We have updated the coop as well. As you can see we have turned part of our shed into their new coop. So much more room. I am not able to free range my chickens. So, with the run we have built, I have added two butterfly bushes and a few pineapple sage bush. You can not see it, we also have a grazing box. We plan on planting more chicken friendly plants and probably more grazing boxes this coming spring. Trying to make their run as much free range as possible. Let me know what you think.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Welcome back!
The only advice I have is to plant what you want to try outside the run, and let it grow in - so while your little dinosaurs may nibble and sratch, they won't be able to reach the roots.

I'm having good luck with oregano right now, for a host of reasons. Mint should do similarly, but not here.

You might also consider a tall, seeind grass or near-grain, purely for aesthetics - but if the chickens jump and pull at the aerials when it goes to seed, so much the better

 

[Sfiddler54]

The butterfly bushes have had a wire mesh around them, but other than just eating a few leaves here and there they left them alone. So we uncovered them. Although they have started scratching and dusting themselves under one of them. We can cover them back up. I have an oregano plant near the fence. They pretty much leave it alone for now.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I've never been fond of butterfly bush, I don't know that it has any practical use except as a wasp attractant. Virtually everything in my acres of weeds is there either something one of my animals can eat, or is holding down the soil until something they can eat moves into the area.

 

[N F C]

Nice improvements to your coop and run...it's always nice to have more room.

 

[Callender Girl]

Looks like you've put a lot of thought into making the run a happy place for your chickens. I like that you've protected the bushes with fencing and have already made a grazing box.

 

[BY Bob]

I've never been fond of butterfly bush, I don't know that it has any practical use except as a wasp attractant. Virtually everything in my acres of weeds is there either something one of my animals can eat, or is holding down the soil until something they can eat moves into the area.

I am a big fan of the butterfly bush. Mine are loaded with butterflies and provide super cover for the chickens when they are free ranging.

Here are some of my hens hanging out under one of my butterfly bushes.

Here are some of the butterflies that have come by.

One of my bushes is quite large this year since never cut it back last year. It is about 10 feet tall.

Other birds love them as well. I have had catbirds nest in them and raise babies. These fellows stop by from time to time.

I can't find a picture of them in full bloom right now but I love them.

 

[Callender Girl]

Incredible! Maybe next year my tiny butterfly bushes -- which are FAR away from the chickens -- will attract cool visitors.

 

[N F C]

I am a big fan of the butterfly bush. Mine are loaded with butterflies and provide super cover for the chickens when they are free ranging.

Here are some of my hens hanging out under one of my butterfly bushes.View attachment 3311953View attachment 3311954View attachment 3311955
Here are some of the butterflies that have come by.
View attachment 3311956View attachment 3311957View attachment 3311958

One of my bushes is quite large this year since never cut it back last year. It is about 10 feet tall.
View attachment 3311967

Other birds love them as well. I have had catbirds nest in them and raise babies. These fellows stop by from time to time.
View attachment 3311963View attachment 3311964View attachment 3311965

I can't find a picture of them in full bloom right now but I love them.

Wonderful picture Bob!