Vines up side of run

MendonMan

Chirping
12 Years
Jan 31, 2012
46
1
87
I've been reading vine threads over the weekend looking for something to cover one side of my run, 8' wide at that point.

I'd like to find something that covers the whole side from close to the ground, up. A majority of vines I found used by chicken owners had the green towards the top. For example, grape or wisteria had woody vines up and then close to the top it would spread out over the top and leaf out up there. I don't really need anything spreading out over the top (although that's ok). My primary concern is side coverage.

I'm looking for something safe to zone 5 just to be safe even though I'm in 6 with the new maps. Also perennial would be great. That side will be hot in the western sun.

Thanks!
 
I suggest that you go to a local nursery and talk to them. Then take their suggestions and check that the plants aren't poisonous to chickens.

My first suggestions, based on no experience and limited knowledge, are either some sort of bean or a climbing rose.
 
You could plant sunflowers if you were looking for some shade and a bit of a windbreak. I grew some last year along side of my chicken pen and they did very well.(zone 5b) As an added bonus, the hens got the dried heads as treats over the winter. Also, Sweet Pea is a vine that grows well here and is pretty and hardy as well.
 
Thank you. I've ordered some honeysuckle (native, not Asian).

Beans are out as I wanted perennial.

Also, the lists for toxicity are quite random. Even researching on here - groups of people throw their tomato plants in with the chickens to rip apart (as chickens do!) and other say TOXIC! Green beans - TOXIC. In reality dry beans are, not green beans. And soaked dry beans are ok. Another post says rabbit won't eat tomatoes, because they know they are toxic. Another post complains about rabbits mowing down their tomatoes.

It took until the last few years to bust the myth about poinsettias being toxic to pets. They are not.

Thanks again.
 
Morning glories are not perennial but will reseed themselves year after year. They're a little hard to get started but once you have them they'll return year after year.
 

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