missielizzie Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Hi. I hope some of you green-fingered keepers can help. After a year of free-roaming we have finally had to build a run for our girls. It just got ridiculous with everything in sight being eaten or scratched up. We also have little daughter now who is crawling so didn't like the idea of her wading through stray chook poops I am looking for an attractive and preferably fragrant climber to hide the monstrosity of a run we have put together out of recycled bits and bobs I'm thinking something like a jasmine or passionflower, and maybe grow some sweet peas or the like for instant coverage this year. But I'm not sure that my girls wont just think 'yum yum - mummy's grown us a handy buffet!'. Also, if they are going to eat it, I don't want something that might harm them. Any ideas anyone? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Sorry I am not going to be much help here except to say that my girls demolished the passion flower that was climbing the shed I would love to grow something up my run but am stumped as to what will climb and they won`t eat Will check back for the answer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieadams Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 My chickens love any pea shoots so I'm guessing they'll be the same when the sweet peas shoot - but they've not been at all interested in the jasmine or honeysuckle (although they've only been here a fortnight so maybe they've just not found it yet!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 My chickens love any pea shoots so I'm guessing they'll be the same when the sweet peas shoot - but they've not been at all interested in the jasmine or honeysuckle (although they've only been here a fortnight so maybe they've just not found it yet!!) Give them time!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieadams Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Ha ha thought as much I follow them round the garden ushering them off the veg as it is!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missielizzie Posted April 22, 2009 Author Share Posted April 22, 2009 Hmmm. I'm always astounded at what they find tasty They LOVED the leaves on my rhubarb (aren't they supposed to be poisonous, or is that just to humans?!). It took 2 years for the plant to recover and I've only just got usable stems on it this year!! They also absolutely adore the yellow flowers on the Forsythia!! I look forward to spring time to see my girls hopping up and down to peck off the flowers once they have stripped the lower branches and the flowers they can easily reach. Who'd have thought chickens could jump?!! They look like they're on invisible chicken space-hoppers Thanks for replies so far. The jasmine looks like it might be in with a chance. I'd have thought that strong smelling plants wouldn't appeal to them - although I did catch them pecking at my lavender Maybe I'll get fragranced eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southernchicken Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 There's a good list of plants that are poisonous to chickens in the FAQ, it's come in handy for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 How about Clematis Armandii? its evergreen and has thick glossy leaves that may no be as palatable as soft leaves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 I have been pondering the same question and had read that they didn't like fragrant plants. Bought some rosemary and put it in the run this weekend to see. It is now pecked half to death! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Honeysuckle is an excellent climber - 'Hall's prolific' was great for us in our last house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieadams Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Maybe I'll get fragranced eggs That would be good - mine ate all my parsley yesterday - maybe I'll get ready seasoned ones!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 If you want something quick, get Russian Vine - but it can be over-whelming so think carefully about it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
