Can Plants Survive In The Chicken Run? These Ones Can!

Chickens can be tough on plants. Plants in the chicken run don't often survive the scratching and trampling even a small flock will create. But hope is not lost! Steve & Brian share how to get the benefits of having plants in the chicken run without that effort being a lost cause.
#hobbyfarm #backyardchickens #homestead

[@mysparky2011]

Wonderful ideas. Loved the shirts! Thank-you

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@roblena7977]

Sunflowers are great chickens love running around under them.

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Mine do too!

[@lindabirmingham603]

I put a 2 - 3'circle of flexible plastic chicken fencing from Tractor Supply around the root zone of the evergreen shrubs in my chicken run. You can get rolls of 2 or 3' high. It is cheap, long lasting, and doesnt hurt their feet. Just keeps them from digging up the shrubs.They are all doing great.

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Thanks for the tip!

[@bertsmith5569]

Those shirts are hilarious

[@solovable1ify]

I've used old pallets stacked and some hardware cloth for plant boxes. It works great, especially when planting winter hardy grasses and plants.

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Great idea!

[@aliciaspears7847]

Hey guys, new sub here. I've read that chickens will not eat rosemary. May be a good option for some people. Also read that you should cover the ground around the roots so the chickens don't destroy the plant by digging beneath it. You could use a couple pavers, bricks, etc.... hope that helps someone. I'm planning on trying it soon

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Chickens are sometimes like people…there are foods that some like and others don’t. But if they will eat rosemary is good for them. And yes…rocks or bricks around the roots can help preserve plants. Thanks for the sub!

[@chriswillock2177]

Been looking for something to put in the one run I have. Chickens have it down to bare dirt. The other runs have native bushes and tall grass. Beautiful condition. Plenty of shad and cover and lots of tall grass. I kept the birds fenced off from the main run till mid spring to allow the grass a good start and the bushes to bloom. And not over crowding the runs is a huge benefit.

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Good stuff! Thanks for sharing!

[@larrylewis3573]

Dear Brian and Steve, Thank you again for a very informative program to help raise chickens in a confined area. Lots of very good ideas to make life better for both the chickens and their owners. Sincerely, Larry Lewis Ontario, Canada.

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Glad you enjoyed it Larry!

[@aaronhopkins6697]

Grazing boxes, I'll be making some tomorrow. Thanks.

[@janetbarocco]

My chickens love borage flowers and buds, lemon balm, thyme and violet flowers. Herbs like these are pretty tough but you need to cover the roots with bricks/pavers, as you say. I have also planted raspberry and currant bushes and artichokes along the fence run. Thanks for the great video!

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Thanks for sharing!

[@BroadShouldersFarm]

I have a Retirement Run set up for my older hens no longer rotating through pasture. I've filled it with Hardy Kiwi vines and hops, and shrubs including hazelnut, elderberry, autumn olive, blackberries, blueberries, and a mulberry tree maintained as a shrub through pruning. They also have a couple fig trees, persimmons, and pears. These plants are protected within 2x4 welded wire rings-protecting the roots from scratching is critical to get them established. Herbaceous plants include lots of mints, lavender, comfrey and Turkish rocket, calendula, multiplier onions, and Malabar spinach which handles the summer heat beautifully. There are some videos up on my channel about this, but lots of this I learned from @edibleacres.

[@natecus4926]

I like the idea of planting sunflowers with my chickens, I’ll have to get some started to ight

[@reneemariscal]

This is very informative video thank yall so much

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Our pleasure!

[@mistyscar4460]

Omg love your shirts! Where did you get them?

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

I think these both came from teepublic.com The guys weren’t 100% sure, but that is where they think they came from.

[@mikereid2865]

Nice timing guys. I'm in the throws of building a new chicken house and run. I'll give the plants a try, thanks 😂

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Good luck!

[@rosewood9839]

My chickens eat marigolds! I’ve never seen anything eat marigolds.

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Chickens love them!

[@almostoily7541]

Marigolds are fed to produce darker yolks. Some pasta makers do it I've read.

[@bluefoxblitz8416]

These are great ideas, thanks. My chooks used to run around freely in the backyard and then return to the chicken shed at night to be locked in. They preferred the bushes to nesting boxes in hot Aussie summer. The kids used to throw rocks at old piles of eggs to create stink bombs. Little buggers😂

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Thanks for sharing!

[@timisaac8121]

Great vid!! I put ALOT of partially rotted logs and downed trees, now filled with bugs, in my run. My birds went coo-coo. Thanks for the many ideas you gave me: Native species, peppermint and grape arbor. I have to get busy!! Thanks!!

[@MosaicHomestead]

I'm building a run without a roof because of hurricane 🌀 season. My chickens free range, but I want them to have shade in the run, my coop is elevated, so there is shade, but I'm planning to put a dwarf peanut banana plant in the run, maybe 2, I can also vine passion fruit or attempt tomatoes.

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Great ideas!

[@brightantwerp]

Great timing. I will extend my chickenrun and wanted to add some plants. Thanks guys!

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Our pleasure!

[@corncob2701]

Thanks guys, great information!

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Our pleasure!

[@benruegge9100]

Another great video guys

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@OutdoorScienceDad]

Great topic, and great suggestions.

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Thanks so much!