Suggestions on shrubs for hiding? (Pics)

[psycache]

I am planning to put a coop along the fence in the picture. Also, my yard is pretty bare, and I want to plant some shrubs for chickens to free range, hide and play around. If they can eat off its fruits even better. What would people recommend?

 

[Aunt Tat]

I JUST had an idea!! Of course having edible fruit-bearing shrubs would be nice, but how about "mini shelters"? You know like hunting blinds? See if you can score a used dog house or rabbit hutch (Disinfect/clean before putting out for your chickens) where they can "dive into" for quick shelter.

Roses are good too - the chickens LOVE the rose hips in the fall. But be uber careful about the additives you put on the roses. If you're planting them specifically for the chicks and not competitions for rose blooms, they should be fine. I suppose the chickens would also love the aphids.

 

[psycache]

I JUST had an idea!! Of course having edible fruit-bearing shrubs would be nice, but how about "mini shelters"? You know like hunting blinds? See if you can score a used dog house or rabbit hutch (Disinfect/clean before putting out for your chickens) where they can "dive into" for quick shelter.

Roses are good too - the chickens LOVE the rose hips in the fall. But be uber careful about the additives you put on the roses. If you're planting them specifically for the chicks and not competitions for rose blooms, they should be fine. I suppose the chickens would also love the aphids.

Brilliant. Sometimes people give away used dog house rabbit house on Craigslist. I will start watching!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Don't forget a nice bench to sit on and watch the chickens.

It would be a good "dive for cover" spot as well as a sitting spot.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Oh....and mine love hanging out under the lilacs and in my zebra grass.

 

[psycache]

Oh....and mine love hanging out under the lilacs and in my zebra grass.

Zebra grass could be good, easier to maintain and I can cut down on them during winter.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Zebra grass could be good, easier to maintain and I can cut down on them during winter.

Decrative, non invasive and the chickens don't eat it.

 

[3KillerBs]

Don't forget a nice bench to sit on and watch the chickens.

I use overturned plastic lawn chairs.

They serve as perches, hawk shelters, and post-rainfall water dishes.

Then, when I want to "Chill with my peeps" I can turn a chair over and find it poop-free.

 

[chickentrains]

My girls hide under the rose bush, the magnolia bush, and the cherry blossom bush, all of these plants are pretty old and big though. I think a artifical hiding place will be better while you wait for your bushes to grow.

Mine have a dog house next to the fence (but not close enough that my dog can hop onto the house and then over the fence) that they can duck into, they can also get into their coop at any time, and theres a swinging bench to hide under, and on the deck there is the tin roof, and tons of patio furniture to duck under. Anddd a really old shed the dogs tore apart so there are big ol holes, i've seen the girls rush into there a few times.

 

[CluckerFamily]

This fall I added a gazebo in the main area my flock free ranges in, of course I had to add chairs and hangout with them for my morning coffee. My flock loves to hangout in my perennials and under my lilac bush.