Clematis - Chicken safe?

[Painted Calls]

Not sure if this is the right place to put this, but here goes..

This spring I would like to build a shade teepee using trim board/stakes and some sort of vine to climb and cover it. Would clematis be safe for the chooks? If not, would sweet pea vines be ok?

I realize that this may be a pipe dream because the odds of them killing the vines are pretty great. That's okay though as long as the vines don't kill them back!

 

[Nay]

Clematis I know is poisonous. They might not eat it but I would be be safe then sorry.
There are a number of potential seasonal vibes that could work, nasturtium for example. But I'd bet they would eat everything they could reach before it has a chance to go very far.

 

[Painted Calls]

Good to know! If it's poisonous it's not even going onto the possibility list. I couldn't chance it even if they wouldn't try it.

I would try my best to give the vines a good protected start, but yes - I feel you're right.

 

[Nay]

I had a similar idea, what a beautiful sight it would be to have the run covered in pretty vibes. Unfortunately chickens do have there own version of "home decor" that does seem to clash with my hopes and dreams.

 

[Soy Milano]

As long as it isn't on this list, it is probably ok - http://www.chickendvm.com/toxic.php

 

[Nay]

As long as it isn't on this list, it is probably ok - http://www.chickendvm.com/toxic.php

Clematis is not on this list but poisonous to literally every other animal so I'd steer clear.

 

[NightingaleJen]

I believe sweet peas are poisonous as well.

Runner beans might be nice, though—they have very pretty bright red blooms. Also, roses are not as persnickety as some folks seem to think; maybe a climbing rose of some sort will fit the bill. A native honeysuckle (be careful—the Japanese ones are extremely invasive) or black-eyed Susan vine might be lovely, too, though you'd have a lot of winged company.

 

[Chickassan]

Clematis virginiana is o.k, nothing even nibbles on it.
The only thing is the chickens will hang out all day around the vines and eat pollinators.
Crazy hearty vine too, almost murder proof.

 

[Fluffyflufffluff]

Not sure if this is the right place to put this, but here goes..

This spring I would like to build a shade teepee using trim board/stakes and some sort of vine to climb and cover it. Would clematis be safe for the chooks? If not, would sweet pea vines be ok?

I realize that this may be a pipe dream because the odds of them killing the vines are pretty great. That's okay though as long as the vines don't kill them back!

I don't know about clematis, but sweet pea vines sound really good, I don't see any issue on what you're trying to accomplish, please go ahead...

 

[Painted Calls]

Thanks everyone! If all goes well and I actually get this accomplished this year, I'll post photos!