Shading my coop, what vines can I grow?

[lilchick]

I planted evergreens in my pen along the fence.. Also alberta spruce. On the outside I planted bushes that they would eat if they could only reach them!
I have found that the trumpet vine works great... The saying is first yr. it sleeps, 2nd yr. it creeps, and 3rd year it leaps!
Believe me when I say it can vine over the tops and you can train it very easily. Also try honeysuckle vines.. I have the dog kennel fence panels and they are sturdy enough to hold the heavy vines..

 

[RavenStorm]

Just because a problem wasn't percieved with them eating tomato plants (not the fruit by the way, eating the actual tomato is just fine), doesn't mean that there wasn't a problem.

The glycoalkaloids that I was talking about is the same toxin that is in potato peels, which is why we are all told to cook them before giving them to chickens. That particular toxin irritates digestive system and can slowly affect the nervous system. Even if a chicken doesn't eat enough over-dose, it can lead to poor feed usage by the body because their digestive system just can't deal with all of the food which may or may not be noticeable. I don't even know if this toxin can be passed on through the meat or eggs but I know that heat kills it so unless you really cook those eggs you might be getting a dose as well.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I read in Peterson's Field Guide to Venomous Animals & Poisonous Plants that tomato plants are poisonous when immature and the alkaloids in the plant go away after the fruit ripens. I wonder if this is why chickens sometimes eat some of the plant and don't show symptoms? I haven't read this in any other sources, but I haven't looked for it, either. It would be interesting to look into.

My understanding is that only green potato skins are a problem. Potato tubers turn green if they haven't been grown or stored correctly. They need to be kept in the dark. Potato sprouts and the plant are also toxic.

I wonder how some squash vines would do? Especially some little summer squash, that wouldn't need the fruit supported. Like one of the little yellow summer squashes. Or some cukes?

 

[digitS']

I think squashes, cucumbers, & pumpkins would be good choices.
Since morning glory seeds have such a serious adverse effect on humans . . .

Glycoalkaloids in tomato plants and green potatoes, sprouts and plant: "These alkaloids are not destroyed by cooking or drying at high temperatures."

Steve

 

[crazyhen]

plant a seedless grape vine. It would give shade in the summer and seedless fruit and then in the fall would loose its leaves and let the sunshine on the run. Jean

 

[Mom 2em All]

I have morning glories, honeysuckle and trumpet vine growing..well, i did- before all this cold and snow. It is all planted on the outside of their yard, but the vines reach the upper part of their fence.

 

[Whispering Winds]

I am crazy about moonflower vines, does anyone know if they are toxic? They grow huge and full and have the most delicious huge white bloom at night . . .I can't imagine morning glory vines being toxic, and they sometimes will reseed themselves and help you out the next spring. Cardinal vines are beautiful too; until those little peaks gets ahold of them!! Climbing pole beans would be great, and be a great healthy snack for the ladies and roos.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

It's the seeds of the morning glory that are toxic. Since chickens are so fond of seeds, I'd skip them, especially over the run, where the seeds would fall right down into the run. One or two seeds per pound of body weight is a lot of seeds for a human, but not much for a chicken to come by. You can dead head the flowers, but I think it would be a lot easier on a run, to just use something else.

They are really pretty, though. I used to grow them at a different house. I think they're cheery growing up next to a bedroom window, so you see them in the morning.

 

[camalianus]

My grandma had chicken her whole life and her chicken thrived even when feeding left over tomatoes. I had chicken also for many years and chicken love tomatoes without any bad side effect.

 

[crazyhen]

They can have tomato fruit but not the leaves or stems. they are the parts that are poison. Jean