Shading my coop, what vines can I grow?

[RavenStorm]

Quote:
Camalianus, as I and a few others have stated, the tomato itself is perfectly fine for chickens to eat. It is the plant that is toxic.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

I don't know much about horticulture, but we have wild blackberries that grow during the summer. It almost shades the entire run.

It's not the BEST photo...and it was taken about 5 years ago, but you can see some foliage hanging down. Most of the vines are between the pens, so during the summer the males can't see each other at all. Will remember to take a photo this summer...

 

[needmorechickens!]

Just out of their reach plant a row of cannas and in front of that a row of giant Elephant Ear bulbs. They will grow huge and shade afternoon sun in the summer and the cannas have beautiful flowers. It will be beautiful too.

In the winter they die and you can get the sun you need. Dig 'em up in the fall and store them in a basement or under your house if you have a crawlspace. You can get the giant bulbs for these at Wal-Mart.
~Rebecca

 

[ORChick]

Nasturtiums are pretty, and non-toxic.

 

[ewesfullchicks]

For the west side of my coop/shelter - I just use shade cloth. This is what I really recommend. It works, and no worries about any plants being toxic, or being eaten by the chickens. You can always plant a trellis beyond that with plants that you enjoy.

Rachel
Bellecreek Farm

 

[YeOleBroodie]

If you want to go something other than vines.
Think sunflowers.
They grow tall, are leafy and provide loads of shade if planted outside the run wire.

I do this every year, plant them staggered. I get great shade and great sunflowers. As the plants grow, some leaves will go through the wire they can snack on but doesn't hurt the plants.

I dry the heads and the chickens get them later.
They get the stalks as I clean them out in fall.
I love it, they love it!

If you have room, plant tall marigolds, in front of the sunflowers to fill in any gaps. They love those too!

 

[needmorechickens!]

Sunflowers is a great idea!

~Rebecca

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

my chickens ate a LOT of my tomato plants last year, leaves and fruit... they were totally fine... and i mean that they ate a LOT.