Need advice for the best vines and plants for in a chicken run!

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

I have a fully enclosed chicken run and I wanted to plant some vines on the walls all around it. I would plant them on the outside of the run so that the chickens couldn't dig them up. I was thinking grape vines? I know grapes are toxic to chickens, but I think they won't eat them if they are toxic. Would you guys suggest different vines? I'm not set on Grape, it was just the first thing to come to mind. I want decently fast growing ones. The reason I want to plant vines on the walls is because: A-I love how it looks, B-my dog is always harassing the chickens through the fence (with vines, he wouldn't be able to see them), C-It would give them shade in the summer, D-It will attract bugs for the hens to eat, and E-It might help keep predators away(?). I live in Post Falls ID so I think I am in zone 6B (for plants). If I had vines all around the run, would it make it too dark? My run does not have a roof, but it does have a big tree in it. My run wall is made of this https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/red-brand-welded-wire-60-in-x-100-ft wire and is reinforced with wood posts every 4-5 ft or so.

I also want to plant some bushes inside the run for enrichment, but I think the chickens would just dig them up. Would there be any way I could put some sort of chicken wire over the dirt near the bushes so that they can't uproot them, without inhibiting the growth of the plant? If there is, what bushes would you suggest for inside a chicken run? Incase it matters, my run is about 301.438 sq ft, and I have 9 hens.

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

I would love to plant some mint, lavender, and other flowers and herbs on the outside of the run, but would the vines take over and kills any other plants?

 

[StinkyAcres]

Are you looking for perennials or annuals?

Vines like grape and trumpet vines can ruin a fence because they get very thick and heavy. Scarlet runner beans and other pole beans, nasturtiums, and snap peas are some annual options.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Please don't plant mint or any other invasive plant.

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

Are you looking for perennials or annuals?

Vines like grape and trumpet vines can ruin a fence because they get very thick and heavy. Scarlet runner beans and other pole beans, nasturtiums, and snap peas are some annual options.

Ideally I want perennials so that I don't have to replant.

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

Please don't plant mint or any other invasive plant.

Why not?

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

We had lots of grape vines in our yard and the chickens never messed with them except to hang out under them in the shade looking for bugs. They also liked our thornless blackberry for the same reason although I’m sure they ate some berries. I planted a boysenberry and several honey suckle around our coop. A big blackberry bush can provide shade and enrichment but it takes a few years to get to that point. Honeysuckle grows quickly but it doesn’t provide a lot of shade. I planted herbs in a pot outside the coop and I also put things inside the run to block the chickens from pecking at any part of the vining plants while they were young. Hope that helps

 

[StinkyAcres]

Why not?

Because they are invasive which means they spread like crazy whether you want them to or not. Keep non-native, invasive plants to pots.

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

I forgot to add, I don't know if this matters but my soil is very rocky and a bit clay-like.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

For reference, our run was made of chain link fence so it was plenty sturdy for vines. The grape vines weren’t around the run but they had plenty of access when they were allowed in the yard.