What kind of bushes for the chicken run?

[lularat]

I was thinking about adding a couple of bushes to my run. My chickens don't free range and I like to make their run as close to free range as possible. I would love to add some bushes that have cover and they could lounge around under in the summer. I also want it to be something that will not hurt them, if they decide to nibble on it. My run is a good size, but still want to stick to a medium bush. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[yogifink]

Here is some good reading fr you to look at:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/safe-plants
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chicken-proof-garden


My chooks are in a large open run that have a couple holly bushes, cherry loral (spelling?) trees and one big magnolia that provide lots of cover that they will not eat.

 

[lularat]

Thank you so much! Thinking about either Camellia or Forsythia, but Camellia's grow slow. Forsythias do well here and grow pretty fast. They would also make good cover in the summer.

 

[yogifink]

I think you would have good luck with a camellia. From my observations, the will not touch the leaves of plants that have a waxy coating, like hollys or cammellias, but will destroy other local plants like azaleas.

 

[Hokum Coco]

With my chickens I think metal wooden or plastic may be the best plants.

 

[Going Quackers]

Cedar trees but they get kinda big lol My one chicken run is parked right into some cedars, and i actually planted some smaller varieties in my call ducks pen, i intend on clipping them to keep them reasonable in height.

 

[yogifink]

You could go with a fig tree too. Your chickens would love spent figs, and you could get some too!

 

[deacons]

My husband would fight the chickens for the figs, and I think he'd be sure he won!!

 

[Shabana]

I have a few variegated holly bushes at the end of my pens and they provide shade or shelter and can stand the dust bathing that goes on under them

 

[nab58]

my chickens LOVE to hang out under our forsythia. I forms a sort of umbrella so the chickens can go under for protection, shade or foraging.