Spiders in chicken wire chicken run

[paintedChix]

We are finishing the chicken run with a chicken wire dome and we have barely any trees and I don't know if thsts relevant but we get get huge orb weaver spiders and I'm okay with them but if I run into anything I'll just hate going out there and I'm finally feeling comfortable with how it's coming along. We are adding climbing roses and climbing honeysuckle it'll be the first time add plants but I'm really excited and I don't want to let this spider thing ruin it for me.

Make sure the Honeysuckle is non-toxic type or if it is, that chickens can't reach it.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Make sure the Honeysuckle is non-toxic type or if it is, that chickens can't reach it.

If it's toxic, chances are the chickens will give it a pass.

 

[ChikaInu]

If it's toxic, chances are the chickens will give it a pass.

Also, funnily enough a lot of plants that are toxic to other animals are perfectly fine for birds to eat. They truly will devour anything.

Growing up with horses and other farm animals I always watched out for buttercups, known to be toxic to horses. Imagine my surprise when I panicked about them being in the pheasant enclosure only to learn it is one of wild pheasants favourite sources of greens over here.
That being said, of course be cautious.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Our chicken run is full of lilies. The chickens shelter under them for shade, scratch around them for bugs and (ahem) fertilize them, but don't eat them. The lilies thrive under the attention!

 

[CoopBoots]

I have solved the "walking into webs" problem with a giant stick I wave around in front of my face at dusk, lol.

I will purposely leave webs that are not in my direct paths, but I cannot have one of those big old spiders actually ON me. Thankfully mine usually pack up their webs during the daytime so there's almost no risk then.

 

[Jmcintosh23]

Also, funnily enough a lot of plants that are toxic to other animals are perfectly fine for birds to eat. They truly will devour anything.

Growing up with horses and other farm animals I always watched out for buttercups, known to be toxic to horses. Imagine my surprise when I panicked about them being in the pheasant enclosure only to learn it is one of wild pheasants favourite sources of greens over here.
That being said, of course be cautious.

O buttercups, good to know thanks for the tips.

 

[paintedChix]

If it's toxic, chances are the chickens will give it a pass.

OMGosh!! See, good thing I'm in this group for simple reminders. Slapping head!

I tell folks all the time that I include "toxic" stuff in compost chickens have access to or directly to their run. They "know" what's bad. Instead of eating it, they scratch it & manure it, making the best compost.

Also, funnily enough a lot of plants that are toxic to other animals are perfectly fine for birds to eat. They truly will devour anything.

Growing up with horses and other farm animals I always watched out for buttercups, known to be toxic to horses. Imagine my surprise when I panicked about them being in the pheasant enclosure only to learn it is one of wild pheasants favourite sources of greens over here.
That being said, of course be cautious.

Most horses, too, will leave Buttercups alone if have enough other forage. Hmm, thoughts... (No, I don't want a pasture or chicken run full of Buttercups).

 

[lintlicker]

We are finishing the chicken run with a chicken wire dome and we have barely any trees and I don't know if thsts relevant but we get get huge orb weaver spiders and I'm okay with them but if I run into anything I'll just hate going out there and I'm finally feeling comfortable with how it's coming along. We are adding climbing roses and climbing honeysuckle it'll be the first time add plants but I'm really excited and I don't want to let this spider thing ruin it for me.

Id say youre lucky to have that many Orb Weavers, and im sure your birds will eat them right up! Let them hang around if you can no pun intended on that one lol

 

[Jmcintosh23]

I have solved the "walking into webs" problem with a giant stick I wave around in front of my face at dusk, lol.

I will purposely leave webs that are not in my direct paths, but I cannot have one of those big old spiders actually ON me. Thankfully mine usually pack up their webs during the daytime so there's almost no risk then.

Yes that's true usually, they are out of the way during the day

 

[DocB]

The beautiful, colorful orb weavers you see are most likely females. I've always been partial to the golden ones. And yes, I DO wish they wouldn't build their magnificent webs at face level across my paths, lol!

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I always walk in my garden with a bamboo walking stick and wave it in front of me to make sure I am not walking into any unseen (or seen) webs. I read the orb spiders take down their webs in the morning and rebuild them each night. Last year I watched one do this on my patio every night. Fascinating!