vines/vegetation for outside run?

[muell112]

I was wondering if anyone had some good ideas for what to plant around the outside part of a chicken coop. I live in Maine and was thinking of some cold hardy concord grapes, kiwis, and peas...for shading and shared-eating for us and the chickens. I can't seem to find anything that says any of those fruits are bad for chickens. Anything else like cukes or pumpkins inside the coop? Any flowers etc? Thanks!

 

[MysticScorpio82]

I heard grape vines were ok, then they get grapes for a treat too!

 

[Lollipop]

muel, they`ll eat anything they can reach........Pop

 

[sparkles2307]

I am planting grapes on the outside... and am willing to part with a few of my pea vines that will be growing against the inside of the chicken moat... http://www.motherearthnews.com/Sustainable-Farming/1988-05-01/The-Chicken-Moat-Enclosure.aspx

 

[Buckhorn Farm]

Just remember that with grapes, you may invite the coons and other critters! You may want to look at some kind of flower.

 

[jrleader99]

I had read somewhere that if you plant something that has prickly vines around the coop it will deter coons cause they don't like the feeling on their feet. Maybe something like squash or cucumbers or zuchini???

 

[MysticScorpio82]

Quote:
No, a large majority of the climbing flowers are poisonous to chickens. Grapes shouldn't attract coons anymore then a veggie garden you might already have. Here is a couple websites that list some poisonous plants (to chickens)-

http://www.poultryhelp.com/toxic1.html

https://www.backyardchickens.com/members/archives/112

 

[muell112]

Great thank you! Luckily we don't have too many coons here as far as I know but I do like the idea of zucchini etc along the bottom. If I find more info about which plants are good/bad I'll be sure to post it.