Willow Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 I know similar ques have been asked before but I couldn't find the thread I'm planning to build a run extension near the veg plot, it will be in partial shade and I would like to plant Potatoes, Kale and Jerusalem artichokes in the run area - do you think they will survive ? (I don't mind them eating some of the Kale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 You could use some netting or chicken wire to protect the plants. They will almost certainly eat the Kale. Not sure about the others. If they try them and like the taste........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iChicken Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 They eat anything green if they like the taste, they have destroyed our strawberry plants, once the leaves were all eaten they started digging up the roots. If you plant anything in their run don't expect it to grow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 I don't think that any of those would survive. And I would be careful with potatoes. They are a relative of the deadly nightshade, and green potatoes are poisonous. I am not sure about the tops. Animals, however, seem to have a better idea of what is safe to eat than we do. Apple trees are the traditional things to grow in a chicken area, for obvious reasons! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 I think you would be better off planting shrubs, they're all that seem to have survived our hens, everything soft and green is gone! Mrs Bertie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 Mine showed no interest in jerusalem artichokes or potatoes last year - they liked the shade and the worms and grubs but ididn't touch the plants themselves. Kale and brassicas I have sectioned off in a chicken proof area!! They don't eat rosemary! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 My chickens don't eat rosemary, but they dug up all the young rosemary bushes I planted. Think big shrubs and trees! In fact, it's best to make the run where the big items area already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 I am planning a new run. We have decided to build it around an existing laburnum tree. Am going to plant in the run, haven't decided all of the shrubs yet, but definitely mallow and rosemary as these have survived their attentions, am also thinking about bamboo but it probably grows too fast and tall. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 We have decided to build it around an existing laburnum tree. I know you've probably already checked but is laburnum ok with chooks since every part of it is poisonous to humans? Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 I know you've probably already checked but is laburnum ok with chooks since every part of it is poisonous to humans? Really? No I haven't checked We have two laburnum trees in the garden, the chickens don't seem interested in them. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Laburnum is very poisonous,so I would avoid it being anywhere where the hens might pick up the seeds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leopardstar Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 The plant bit of potatoes above the ground is I'm pretty sure poisonous so I'd be careful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatsCube Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Plus if they scratch the ground where the potatos are and dig one up they may peck at it and eat it and that would be poisenous too. Im having a bamboo in my run, only one of my girls pecks a bit a thte leaves on my bamboo, what height are you planning on making the run? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted January 7, 2008 Author Share Posted January 7, 2008 I hadn't thought about the problems with potatoes so I'll def make sure they are in a separate area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
