Vegetation in run?

[KnightsMist]

I don't have chickens yet but I'm hoping to get some in the spring. In addition to my coop, which will be a converted area of my existing barn, I plan to build an enclosed run that will be approx 20×20'. Is it beneficial to add any vegetation in the run? I was in a work meeting the other day and looking out the window and we have large rhododendrons outside, and I was thinking wow, what a great plant to provide shelter and allow for roosting (already have chicken brain haha!).

So just curious- would it in fact be a good idea to plant something like a rhododendron for shade/shelter/roosting, or will it just take up too much space with minimal benefit?

 

[PTA Chicks]

I'd love to have things in my run however the chickens scratch them to bits unless it's already large and well established. In one area however I am growing things like rosemary and lavender just outside the run so the leaves and smaller branches grow into the run and there is some shade because they really enjoy lounging under a plant or 2.

Make sure whatever you have is safe for chickens to eat

 

[Alaskan]

If you want a bush in the run you have to set it up so the roots are protected.

Also, I found that apple trees in the run are not great, since the chickens would fly up into the little trees and eat the leaves.

Some other plants that are not as tasty managed a bit better.

However, having a bush or plant outside the run and growing into the run is way easier.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Putting bushy plants outside of the run would be beneficial for shade. Anything inside the run will potentially get scratched up and destroyed (if small) or have the roots disturbed (if larger).

Also rhododendrons are poisonous to goats, not sure about chickens.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Mind what you plant. Plenty of plants are toxic to chickens. Also, most smaller/tastier plants will get devoured. A 20x20 run is not so big that it won't be barren in a few months with only a handful of birds.

 

[Black Rabbit Homestead]

My chickens destroy everything! That's why I decided on a fodder table. Give it a try the birds seem to enjoy it.

 

[kerbotx]

Chickens love to lie in the shade under a good shrub or similar but if they don't eat it outright, they'll dig & scratch under it, thereby usually destroying it! Like many have suggested, sometimes it's better to plant things along the outside of the run, to shade the inside. I've had luck with small trees planted at the corners, with flowering shrubs between the trees, and rose bushes along one side.

Plants inside the run can be protected by wire cages - I've done this with rosemary and sunflowers. I'm really lucky in one way tho - I have this one kind of weed that pops up all over, and I selectively prune it to fit my needs - gets tall enough for shade, but the chickens ignore it completely. Besides plants, they will also take refuge under a patio table or chair - there are lots of ideas out there for chicken enrichment. One post had a video for a grazing table - you can also make smaller grazing frames that rest on the ground. Have fun planning!

 

[ColtHandorf]

I have planted small fruiting trees like plums or peaches in chicken runs before. Once the trees are large enough the birds don't damage them. I've also planted muscadine grapes along adjoining back walls of breeding pens. I roll wire to lay over the roots so the chickens can't tear them up, but they can hide in the wire as a safe, shady retreat. They enjoy the fruit when it falls and occasionally peck on the green leaves. Woody vines like wisteria, honeysuckle, etc. may be easier to protect. Plus they are fast growing.

 

[K0k0shka]

You can protect the roots by covering the root area with large rocks. The chickens won't be able to scratch up the roots easily, and the rocks will still allow water to get to the roots when it rains. It looks nice, too.

I have a large forsythia shrub in the chicken run. I'm getting chickens in the spring, too, and hope they'll enjoy sheltering under it. I have lots of forsythias on my property and those things are hardy, fast growing and pretty much indestructible! I have a hard time managing them and they keep coming back all over the place even if I cut them down to the ground. So I imagine they can probably withstand the onslaught of chickens. Chickens don't tend to eat their leaves, they need no special care, they can grow anywhere (some of mine are in full shade getting very little sun or water and they still grow and bloom), and they're gorgeous in the spring.

 

[CatWhisperer]

Rhododendrons are toxic. Research this aspect before allowing chickens access to any plant. My chickens get to free range in about a 1/2 acre fenced area. There is a large old patch of forsythia they love to hang out under. They also like to get in patches of large ornamental grasses. After 6 years we decided to sod their run this spring. Figured it would be nice for a while, raise the level up again and eventually we will put pine shavings back in. We have a grape vine and a chocolate vine growing on the outside and working their way inside.