Sprucing up the run - Adding plants, shade, shelter?

[Toothpick]

My run will be roughly 10x30. And I'll have 28 birds in there. As of now it's simply grass. But I want to spruce it up a bit. Add some areas for shade and roosting and shelter. I thought about adding a few small trees, but I'm pretty sure my septic leach field is nearby and don't want to take the risk with tree roots. Shrubbery is another option. But not sure what shrubs are safe for chickens? I'd like to put some plants around the coop too.

Also, has anyone done anything similar in their runs? Got pics? What roosts or shady/shelter areas have you added?

Right now it's simply grass. No trees, no plants, no nothing.

Thanks!

 

[Folly's place]

You won't have grass for long! When the grass is eaten up and dug under, add bagged shavings, wood chips, grass clippings, leaves, or whatever you have, and let them dig in it. Fun! Shade is essential, with shade cloth at first if that's all you have, and then plantings. Go with hardy natives that are non-toxic. Viburnums, lilacs, blueberries, dogwoods, then herbs, mints, catnip, and maybe taller grasses. Trees and shrubs outside the run to provide shade, and cover when they are outside. Mary

 

[Toothpick]

The 20x20 run I have now is still grass. I even have to mow it sometimes. But that's only 6 chickens!

 

[FlyWheel]

Best thing to do is if you want plants they can munch on is to build a frame and cover it with hardware cloth so the plants can grow through it but the chickens cannot eat the entire thing or scratch the soil bare. Or you can fence off an area and limit their access, giving the vegetation some time to recover.

 

[Pstock44]

Mine is a 7x35 split run for 2 flocks I don't want mixed. I used a 10x20 carport for shade and rain protection as well as raised coops. I want to do the wire covered raised beds next year that someone mentioned above. I also use 2x4s across the run, they fit perfect in the 2x4 welded wire fence, and various logs and concrete blocks for them to perch on.

 

[Toothpick]

Looks good @Pstock44 !! I saw the photo of the wire covered raised beds around here somewhere. That's a great idea. I'll probably do something similar.

 

[Pstock44]

Looks good @Pstock44 !! I saw the photo of the wire covered raised beds around here somewhere. That's a great idea. I'll probably do something similar.

Thank you. It's basic but it works better than I thought it would when I tried it. The run actually stays dry in the center, even with everything but the most severe side winds. I ended up this way by doing one project at a time and now I have enough room for my 4 Silkies in the original small coop and I have 2 Roos and 8 hens in the larger side with room to comfortably add a few more. I won't but instead will use the "comfort" zone to raise a new batch of chicks again next year.

 

[Magical Garden Girl]

My run will be roughly 10x30. And I'll have 28 birds in there. As of now it's simply grass. But I want to spruce it up a bit. Add some areas for shade and roosting and shelter. I thought about adding a few small trees, but I'm pretty sure my septic leach field is nearby and don't want to take the risk with tree roots. Shrubbery is another option. But not sure what shrubs are safe for chickens? I'd like to put some plants around the coop too.

Also, has anyone done anything similar in their runs? Got pics? What roosts or shady/shelter areas have you added?

Right now it's simply grass. No trees, no plants, no nothing.

Thanks!

Mine don't touch the Citronella or Scented Geraniums
These are both hardy and grow like crazy
They also serve a dual purpose bc I use the trimming (dried) in the coop bed - makes it smell like a herb garden
Especially the scented Geraniums

 

[CapricornFarm]

You could put a big log in upright and nail a branch to it pointing up. Then attach roosts perpendicular to that. Kind of like a tree, but not. You don't have to attach the perches to the run that way and nothing can reach your chickens to grab them on the roosts.

 

[aart]

My run will be roughly 10x30. And I'll have 28 birds in there. As of now it's simply grass. But I want to spruce it up a bit. Add some areas for shade and roosting and shelter. I thought about adding a few small trees, but I'm pretty sure my septic leach field is nearby and don't want to take the risk with tree roots. Shrubbery is another option. But not sure what shrubs are safe for chickens? I'd like to put some plants around the coop too.

Also, has anyone done anything similar in their runs? Got pics? What roosts or shady/shelter areas have you added?

Right now it's simply grass. No trees, no plants, no nothing.

Thanks!

Is run covered with solid or mesh roof?

Here's mine in winter you can see the roosts, bench, branches, grazing frames leaning against wall(which get used on ground to plan grains in summer).

...and now with shade cloth up and sunchokes fullgrown planted outside of run on south and west walls for shade and fodder.

I think you've seen my 'forest floor' run bedding material...
.....you could start that right over the existing grass instead of mowing it.