Emily Carter
Keeping chickens comes with the responsibility of providing them with a clean coop, ample space to roam, and an environment that's good for their growth and wellbeing. One way to do this is by introducing plants to their enclosure. However, chickens will destroy unprotected plants, and some plants can be toxic to them. So, it's important to know which plants are safe to put in a chicken run.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Plants that chickens won't eat or destroy
Chickens are foragers and flourish in an environment where they can peck around and explore. They also need shade to avoid overheating during hot summer days. However, they will scratch around and eat many plants in the garden, including tender vegetable and fruit crops.
If you're looking for plants that your chickens won't eat or destroy, here are some options:
- Mint plants can grow inside the chicken run, providing a bushy cover and helping to lower temperatures in the summer. They also repel mites and other pests and give off a pleasant aroma.
- Shrubs or bushes are harder for chickens to dig up. You can put a cage around them until they grow big enough to withstand abuse from your chickens.
- Ironweed provides excellent three-season coverage for shade or hiding, and chickens don't eat it.
- Blackberries can grow outside the run, climbing the sides and providing fruit for your chickens without being destroyed.
- Grapevines can grow along fencing, providing shade and fruit without being disturbed by chickens.
- Fig trees are another option that chickens tend to leave alone.
- Rhubarb is a plant that some chickens may ignore, leaving it to grow undisturbed.
- Citrus trees may be pecked at occasionally, but overall, chickens tend to leave them alone.
- Pyrethrum daisies work well but tend to spread everywhere.
- Lavender, especially English Lavender, is a good option. It has a sweet fragrance that can make the chicken coop smell fresh. It also has a calming effect on chickens, helping them relax.
- Rosemary, both the trailing/creeping and shrub/bush varieties, can be a good choice. Hens may lay on top of the low-lying bushes, but the plants are hardy and can withstand some abuse. Rosemary also helps keep bugs away and aids in a chicken's respiratory health.
- Sage is an herb that can be grown in abundance. Chickens will peck at the green leaves, which contribute to their overall health.
- Thyme is known to repel pests and insects and also aids in a chicken's respiratory health. It has antibacterial and antibiotic properties.
- Climbing roses need protection when they are young, but once established, they are usually fine.
- Tree roses are a better option than bush roses, as chickens tend to destroy the latter.
- Lemongrass has a pleasant fragrance and grows upright. You can add the leaves to your coop and nesting boxes to improve their smell.
- Garlic is something chickens tend to avoid eating, although they may scratch at the cloves and pull them out.
- Onion sets are similar to garlic in that chickens may pull them out but then leave them alone.
- Melons and squash are two fruits that chickens may leave alone.
- Herbs are generally a good option, as chickens seem to enjoy pecking at them, and they contribute to the chicken's health.
- Spinach is another vegetable that chickens may ignore in favour of other plants.
- Ornamental grasses and bamboos can work once they are established.
It's important to note that individual chickens will have different preferences, and what one chicken ignores, another may devour. It's always a good idea to do your research and observe your flock's behaviour to ensure their safety.
Grain-Free, Chicken-Free Dog Food: Best Options for Your Pup
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Plants that provide shade
When it comes to plants that are safe to put in a chicken run and provide shade, there are several options to consider. Here are some detailed suggestions:
Trees
Fruit trees such as apple, pear, and cherry, and fig trees can provide shade and the added bonus of fruit for your chickens. It is recommended to protect the trunks of these trees with wire fencing or other barriers to prevent damage from scratching. Banana trees also make an excellent choice, providing ample shade and serving as a windbreak or coop insulation. They thrive in rich, moist soil and can be strategically placed to catch runoff from the coop.
Shrubs and Bushes
Butterfly bushes, also known as buddleia, are a popular choice for chicken runs. They grow rapidly, providing ample shade, and their flowers attract insects for your chickens to forage. Juniper bushes are another option, offering year-round colour and blocking the view of predators, although they provide less shade than other options. Willow shrubs can also survive in a chicken run if given initial protection until they grow out of the chickens' reach.
Vines and Climbing Plants
Climbing roses, such as the fragrant Neil Diamond variety, can provide shade and beauty to your chicken run. However, it is essential to protect them until they grow out of the chickens' reach. Loofah vines, grape vines, and cucumber vines are also options to consider for covering and providing shade to the sides of the run.
Herbs
Some herbs, such as rosemary and lavender, can thrive in chicken runs and provide a bit of shade. It is recommended to choose the bush variety of rosemary over the climbing variety, as chickens tend to rest on the climbing variety.
Grasses
Lemon grass is an upright-growing grass that not only smells wonderful but also provides some shade. It can be added to the coop and nesting boxes to improve their fragrance. Ornamental grasses can also be considered, and chicken keepers have reported success with pampas grass in some pens.
Can Chickens Survive With a Skull Injury?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Plants that require protection from chickens
Keeping chickens and maintaining a garden can be a tricky combination. Chickens will destroy any unprotected plant, so it's important to take precautions to protect your plants from curious chickens. Here are some strategies to keep your plants safe:
Use Fencing or Caging
One effective way to protect plants from chickens is to use fencing or caging. You can use garden fencing or chicken wire to create a barrier around vulnerable plants. Place the fencing just inside the perimeter of raised beds or wrap it around individual plants, securing it with stakes. Alternatively, you can use wire mesh or netting to cover plants, protecting them from pecking and scratching.
Rocks and Branches
Placing large rocks or crisscrossing branches around the base of plants can deter chickens from accessing the plants. This method helps prevent chickens from scratching and digging up newly planted seeds or seedlings.
Cloches
Cloches are small wire cages that can be placed over plants for protection. They help shield plants from chickens and other pests. You can purchase ready-made cloches or make your own using chicken wire or wire mesh.
Plant Placement and Arrangement
Strategic plant placement can also help protect plants from chickens. Planting flowers in crevices or tight spaces that chickens can't access, such as between bricks, allows plants to grow undisturbed. Additionally, planting flowerbeds close together and avoiding bare patches of dirt can make it less inviting for chickens to scratch and peck.
Provide Alternatives
Chickens are foragers and benefit from having plant life around them. Providing alternative plants for chickens to peck at and shade to rest under can help distract them from other plants you want to protect. You can plant chicken-friendly options like elderberries, blueberries, or herbs such as rosemary, lavender, and sage. These plants offer nutritional benefits to chickens and can reduce the need for expensive chicken feed.
By employing these strategies, you can create a harmonious balance between your plants and chickens, allowing both to thrive in their shared environment.
Chicken Big Mac: Return of the Fan Favorite
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Plants that benefit chicken health
Plants are a great way to improve the health and happiness of your chickens. They provide shade, a rich sensory experience, and can even contribute to a chicken's nutritious diet.
When it comes to chicken-safe plants, it's a long list, and it's easier to know what to avoid. Avoid nightshades, so no tomatoes or tomato plants. Azaleas are also a problem and should be kept away from chickens. Chickens will also eat strawberries and lettuce, so these should be avoided or protected.
Now, for some plants that benefit chicken health:
Sage is a great herb to grow in abundance as it can help combat salmonella and stave off other diseases. Your chickens will love pecking at the green leaves, improving their overall health.
Thyme is another herb that is beneficial. It repels pests and insects and also aids in a chicken's respiratory health. Thyme has antibacterial and antibiotic properties, making it a great addition to your chicken run.
Lavender is a wonderful plant to grow as it has a calming effect on chickens, helping them relax. The sweet fragrance can also make the chicken coop smell fresh.
Rosemary is similar to lavender in that it smells amazing and helps keep bugs away. It also aids in respiratory health. The bush variety is recommended, as the climbing variety may become a resting place for your chickens.
Mint is a great option, as it can help lower temperatures in the summer and repel mites and other pests. It also smells amazing.
Lemongrass is another plant that provides excellent shade in the summer and weather protection. It has a wonderful fragrance and can make your coop smell better.
Fig trees are also a good option, providing shade and food for your chickens.
Climbing roses can add beauty to your chicken run, but they need to be protected until they are out of the flock's reach.
Tree roses are a better option than bush roses, as chickens tend to show no mercy to the latter.
Mulberry trees are loved by chickens, and they will quickly clean up any fallen fruit and munch on the leaves. The trees also appreciate the fertiliser that chickens provide.
Moringa is sometimes called the 'miracle tree' as all parts of the plant are edible. The leaves are high in protein, making them excellent forage, and studies have shown that they improve chicken health and performance.
In addition to these specific plants, you can also consider growing various fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Protect young plants with cloches or cages to give them a chance to grow tall enough to withstand chickens. Taller bushes and shrubs will generally be fine once they've grown, but you may want to consider protecting their roots with wire mesh or piles of wood or branches.
Preventing Chicken Sticking to Your Baking Sheet
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Plants that repel pests and insects
Plants can be a key factor in making a chicken run a happy, healthy place for chickens. They can provide much-needed shade and a rich sensory experience for the chickens. In addition to providing health benefits to the chickens, some plants can also help repel pests and insects.
Mint plants, for example, are great at repelling mites and other pests. Marigolds are also known to repel flies and mosquitoes. Meanwhile, rosemary, wormwood, and lavender can help repel insects and give off strong scents that can cover up the unpleasant smells of the chicken coop.
Some other plants that can be grown in the chicken run include thyme, sage, oregano, and lemongrass. These plants can contribute to the overall health of the chickens and provide a variety of benefits such as improved respiratory health and antibacterial properties.
It is important to note that while plants can provide many benefits, some common garden plants are highly toxic to chickens. It is recommended to do research before allowing chickens access to new plants and to protect young plants from being destroyed by the chickens.
How Long Do Chickens Live on Average?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Many plants are safe to put in a chicken run, including rosemary, sage, thyme, lavender, lemongrass, and fig trees. These plants can provide sensory stimulation, aid in respiratory health, and help keep bugs away.
Taller bushes and shrubs are typically safe from destruction once they've grown beyond the reach of the chickens. You can also protect smaller plants by caging them or using wire mesh to prevent chickens from scratching up the roots.
Plants in the nightshade family, such as tomatoes, should be avoided as they can be harmful to chickens. Azaleas, hydrangeas, and rose bushes are other examples of plants that chickens may destroy or uproot.
