Hermie's use of protected plants, insulated roofing and shade cloth in her two Mansion Runs provides a cool and happy hen home for her chooks!
What is chicken run landscaping?
Chicken run landscaping is essentially the term given to decking out your chickens pad. Many just have the bedding and feeders in the space where there chickens roam, but there are heaps of nifty ideas that not only will make the run more aesthetically pleasing, but also have many practical benefits.
Aaron's Wyandotte hens enjoying some treat baskets in their Mansion Coop and surrounding run.
What are things you can use to landscape your chicken run?
1 . Flowering plants (edible and non-edible) are beautiful to look at and a great addition to the chicken run. Just be aware that chickens will eat certain flowers! Some suggestions for beautiful plants that chickens aren't fond of ingesting include:- Roses
- Iris
- Camillias
- Nasturtium
- Marigolds
- Sunflowers
- Violets
Aaron's use of edible flowers and accessories, like traditional steel buckets and bedding bins, gives his stylish Mansion Coop and surrounding run a polished look.
2. Shrubs and small bushes are also great plants to have in the chook run. Try these suggestions:
- Juniper
- Agapanthus
- Lavender
- Wormwood
Rebecca's use of natural stone and logs beautifully compliments her dark and modern Penthouse Coop!
Belinda's bright and cheerful Penthouse Coop is a perfect example of cottage cuteness!
Jan's bold and bright Penthouse Coop run landscaping includes quirky sculptural elements!
4. Potted herbs not only look good on your chook run - they also help deter pests and keep your flock's respiratory health in top shape.
5. Give your chook house a name sign, it looks lovely displayed on the coop!
A coop name sign, cute colour scheme and some hanging herb pots make Nicole's Penthouse Coop and run a lovely hen home!
Jodie has attached hooks for hanging baskets, shade cloth and the essential Chicken Swing to her Penthouse Coop run!
Practical advantages
There are actually tangible advantages to landscaping your chicken run, apart from having something pretty to look at!
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Planting flowers around the outside of your chicken run is great for obscuring your chickens from view from wandering predators! Also, your hens will actually feel more secure.
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Plants and shrubs that you have in the chicken run can attract insects and bugs - which are very nutritious for your flock! A well nourished chicken means tastier eggs.
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They are also great for providing shade for your feathered friends when the weather is a bit on the toasty side!
Make sure the plants you choose aren’t harmful, as some can be poisonous to have in the chicken run.
So don’t think that your chicken run is simply limited to a bit of straw and feed - get creative and make a great environment that not only will your chickens enjoy, but will make an incredibly attractive garden piece. Just do a bit of thorough research into what plants they find particularly delicious otherwise you may find your garden looking a little bare!
Our Penthouse coop comes with a great large run attached that you can landscape to your own tastes, and our Mansion Run helps you create an amazing environment for your flock, and a gorgeous view for your neighbours!
From chicken run landscaping to choose the best perches and nesting boxes, getting the best coop to keep your flock happy and safe is a daunting task with so many options. To build or to buy? Do you know how many nesting boxes & perches you need? Do you know how much space you need & why? Choosing the perfect coop requires the right knowledge and equipment. You don't want to have all the gear and no idea!
Cluckily for us, our friends at Chickenpedia have created a Coop Sweet Coop course filled with advice and information to help your search. Find out all the options when buying or building a new coop including the best materials, sizes and locations. This extensive course will give you the confidence to make the right decision on a suitable and safe home for your feathered friends. This is why I recommend Chickenpedia to all my readers!
Click here to check out their beginner-friendly courses today!
