ChaosMom
Crowing
That’s what the forage frames are.… Would it be a good idea to make a mesh cover to put over the grass so that they can't get to the roots and dig it up but they can still eat it?
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That’s what the forage frames are.… Would it be a good idea to make a mesh cover to put over the grass so that they can't get to the roots and dig it up but they can still eat it?
I'm very happy that your dog hasn't had an issue, but grapes are very toxic to dogs and a singular grape can and has killed dogs. I come from a family of vets and they've had to to deal with dogs that got into grapes, raisins, or sultanas. None of us keep those items in the house because of the risk.I have a ton of wild grapes all over my land but my dog (that has full access to them) has never eaten a single grape. She may eat grape leaves on the rare occasion her stomach is upset, but never grapes themselves
Depending on where you are, native honeysuckle. For my area, Trumpet honeysuckle is native and very hardy, and grows like crazy, without being invasive.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.
Poisonous plants are everywhere in nature. I have a large variety of them all over the place here. Pokeweed, jessamine, holly, and dogfennel to name just a few. Grapes too are absolutely everywhere and uniquely poisonous to dogs alone. However despite the abundance of poisonous plants not one creature here has ever been poisonedI'm very happy that your dog hasn't had an issue, but grapes are very toxic to dogs and a singular grape can and has killed dogs. I come from a family of vets and they've had to to deal with dogs that got into grapes, raisins, or sultanas. None of us keep those items in the house because of the risk.
I'm not saying you need to tear out the grapevines, but OP mentioned planting some to shield her chickens, and I personally wouldn't install something that I know is toxic to my animals. A lot of folks don't know grapes are an issue, so I try to educate when I can.
I am in zone 6b.What zone are you in? That might help select plants that will grow well where you are.
Looking at your run/fence it’s strong enough to maybe pot things in hanging baskets that will trail down and give them something to peck at without destroying the whole plant. Think upside down tomatoes (nobody freak out, my birds constantly poach my garden for stuff and they’re not poisoned).
Blackberries take awhile to get big and you have to leave the empty canes to fruit next year…long con.
Planting ‘birdseed’ usually doesn’t work as the seeds have been treated to prevent germination and increase shelf life, but if you can find a heirloom type seed that’s not treated, grasses are great like millet.
Watermelon will vine and makes yummy treats for birds. Cucumber and squashes are similar but avoid gourd/decorative ones that can be very bitter, toxicity? Google says everything is toxic so you really need an experienced opinion.
Consider plants for pollinators as a double whammy. I’ve seen my birds eat Lantana berries- Google toxic - and they’re all still alive, plus I now have Lantana plants in unusual areas
Also, sunflowers make a nice visual barrier, all parts edible (the stalk is a bit fibrous, only my horses like this part), beautiful flowers and pollinators love it (will attract squirrels and rabbits, too, something appropriate for your dog to chase!
You can always do a temp fence with stakes and hardware mesh or netting until whatever it is grows enough to withstand poultry pruning efforts.
True about instincts keeping animals alive, but I had the perfect place for the trellis, so I gave it very little thought after that decision. There are many different kinds of Jasmine. Some are safe and others are not. Regretfully, not am not at all knowledgeable about the different types, so I just decided to play it safe and keep it out of their reach. The fragrance is nice and the green is beautiful...and the additional wall of a hideout makes the chickens happy.I was thinking about planting a night blooming jasmine! I would love to have such a nice smelling plant in my run! I also like it because it is evergreen. I know you keep yours out of the chickens reach, but do you think mine would mess with it if it was planted on the run fence? My thought is that if it is toxic, they wont touch it. Free range chickens would die very fast if they ate everything they saw XD.
I agree, my chickens adore my grapes. They leap up and eat any they can reach - I get only the ones that grow higher than 3 feet! I think grapes are a good choice, but they lose all they leave in the winter. Oh, and FWIW, there was a big patch of mint in their expanded run,, and they ate it to the ground. Of course, it came right back, but the chickens clearly approved of it.They aren't!? I feel so stupid XD
I honestly can't remember where I heard that. I think it was just one of those things I heard once and just assumed it was true
I am thinking I will just have some plants right outside the run so that they can eat so of the leaves and get some bugs without killing the plant.
Thanks for the fact check!![]()
Agreed, our name for English ivy was "rat habitat". Never plant it.Oh gosh don't plant English ivy! Highly invasive. Look into native honeysuckle. Its not green year around but won't overtake the neighborhood and smoother other plants.
Also eats the mortar in your wall.Yeah we have entire areas overrun with it and it chokes out the trees like kudzu. Good point that *invasive* can definitely depend on the area!