What are some safe hanging plants for over my chicken run?

[PuckPuck]

I wish to plant some climbing plants on one side of my 40' by 20' chicken run to provide some shade in summer. But I am nervous about selecting the plants. Possibles include clematis, passion flower, wisteria, etc. Are any of these (leaves or fruits) poisonous to chickens?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Gerhard

 

[colonel sander]

I would like to know this also. We have a real nice wisteria that I would love to get a start off of and plant by the coop.

 

[CowgirlPenny]

Oh I would like to know as well so 'bump'


Are there any plants actually safe for them to eat? Or possibly some type of vegetable? We have three 7x7 wooden support arches in our 40x20 run and I want to put brackets up so that we can have hanging plants on the sides of all the them, but I'm not sure what would be safe for them to eat.

 

[Wifezilla]

Plant grape vines!!!

I have one over the duck run and it is fantastic. The plant is outside of the run, but any leaves that grow inside the fence they gobble up. Plus they can eat any grapes that fall down in to the pen. The rest are for me

 

[ketcham]

I like that idea on grapes.Might have to try that one!!!!Plus free food in season.What if they ferment???haha!!! Sick chicks haha!!! Kevin

 

[Buugette]

I don't think I want mine having grapes... they make them poo like an insane amount... yuck!

 

[allenlighthouse]

I have honey suckle vines growing over the top of my run for years and it supply shade for them.

 

[Carols Clucks]

We have passion fruit vines on our picket fencing-one side separates the house from the lower garden. The chickens LOVE the nice green leaves and pick those pretty clean. They probably scar the fruit a bit. But that is the extent of the damage. Once I get the run on our coop, we will probably run them around the edges as well. We protect the base of the plant with some chicken wire so it can survive.

 

[mommto3kiddos]

I planted a potato vine next to my run in hopes it will climb. Its a fast growing vine and very hardy! Ill let you know how it turns out!!

 

[maclady]

You can try climbing nasturtiums and scarlet runner beans. Both will climb like crazy, are annuals, grow quickly, and are edible. I have 3 types of the climbing nasturtiums started for my run and 2 scarlet runner bean plants started. I moved my girls run for now and planted the old run with a chicken forage mix I found online. Once it is grown in really well I plant to move their run back. I have them set up in the back part of my garden area so once the garden is done I will let them forage that also. I got the climbing nasturtium idea from another poster who was growing them in her side yard which she turned into a chicken coop.