What to plant in the chicken run??

[UTAHEM]

I'm already planning for spring. We have three hens. They are housed in a 7x7 run with a coop (they can roam freely under the coop). So, the three hens have plenty of space. However, I'd like to add on to their run. I plan on making the run addition a similar size, secure like the one they are in (hardwire cloth buried on all sides at least 1' down and 1' out, bottom 3' of run is hardwire cloth, top is 2x4 welded wire fencing). This portion of the run is covered. I may not cover the other portion of the run year round (I can use tarps during the summer). I would attach the new and old portions of the run with a small chicken access door that can be blocked off to make things like expanding the flock easier, etc. However, I would like to plant something on the bottom of this extra run portion in the spring. . .

What is a good, quick growing planting - alfalfa - or other suggestions? It doesn't have to be durable. . . I just want the chickens to have some greenery available. I figure I can block off portions of this run periodically to add greenery throughout the year. Thank you in advance!

 

[JayJo]

http://www.groworganic.com/omega-3-chicken-forage-blend-irrigated.html

My chickens love this stuff. Easy to grow. Although if you planted it in the run, they'd probably decimate it in short order.

 

[UTAHEM]

It would be OK for it to be decimated. I can keep sectioning off parts of the extended chicken yard and planting things. Is there vegetation that they wouldn't decimate so quickly?

 

[UTAHEM]

Our chickens don't free range because our dogs probably wouldn't treat the chickens like a member of their pack!

 

[Uralba]

I have 5 chickens. But often look after my old primary schools 4 chickens on the school holidays. I Section off the chicken run as well. I usually plant wheat or in small areas I plant some silver beet or lettuce from the vegetable garden for them. When I let them in they desecrate it. I do not know what vegetation you could plant. That's a good idea though to put vegetation in there. It would last longer than just grass or wheat.

Rhys

 

[eleaserek]

I've been thinking along the same lines. But my biggest obstacle is that my run is quite shady. Does anyone know if there are chicken-safe plants that grow well in the shade? I was thinking of planting them just on the other side of the fence in some kind of raised bed. Then they could eat what came through the fence maybe.

 

[Pork Pie]

Mint grows well in shady areas and chickens love it from what i have read on other threads - and it grows and spreads quickly so one your chickens have given it a good going over, it should re-grow.

CT

 

[Bridebeliever]

Comfrey grows like crazy anywhere and chickens love it!

 

[eleaserek]

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[eleaserek]

Comfrey grows like crazy anywhere and chickens love it!

I just looked comfrey up, and everything I read states that it causes liver damage to people and livestock if ingested... great poultice for wounds, not good to eat...