Honeysuckle I believe is poisonous

I'd go with the grape vines, the chickens can even eat the grapes.

Until the grapes are established, I'd plant peas in the ground in March, and start pole beans a week or two before planting time. Maybe start them indoors in a 5 gallon bucket with a stick then just move the pail(s) near the coop.

The peas will provide shade until june/july then die, by that time the beans will start providing shade, and the grape vines should be coming alive.

A tip on the peas: hallow out a small trench, 2" deep x 2" wide x length of pen, an fill with potting soil, plant peas, and water. This will help germination and will drain better, less chance of the pea seeds rotting in the we spring ground.

Brendasue

Annual vines seem to spend most of the summer growing to the point they are big enough to do you any good, then fall arrives and you don't need them anymore.

You might consider putting up a solid roof over part of the run to provide full shade, then leave the rest open for winter sun.

You'd have to plant more than one seed!

Nowhere did I mention they were to be used solo, but instead indicated they would provide shade until the grape (or other) vines became established. And yes, they could cover your 18' long by 6' high temporarily if you planted many seeds along the 18' width then they'd grow 6' high then over 4' or so the top. That would provide shade all day to much of your run depending on the sun's angle. You'd have to weave them through the wire to train them, as you would the grape vine as it grew.

Brendasue

I'd also question the validity of honeysuckle as poisonous. The most poisonous member of the genus is L. xylosteum, a shrub that would not be considered fir the purpose at hand. Even then, you'd have to eat a massive amount based on body weight, and while I don't know how chickens would respond, most animals only exhibit a slight to general lethargy that wears off in a day or two.

So I guess the question becomes, perennial or annual vine?

hops would work.

So would most any woody vine, of which there are a few.

Below are several links. I love the look of both plants but won't have them on the property because of a potential disaster. Also in reading the links there seems to be some contradictions, so who knows? The nurseries around here don't list if plants are toxic or not so internet lists like these are what I go by, if there's any doubt I don't buy it.

http://www.poultryhelp.com/toxicplants.html
Listed under toxic plants:

HONEYSUCKLE BUSH (Lonicera spp); berries; gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular and nervous systems affected by plant toxins.

TRUMPET VINE (Campsis spp.); leaves, flowers; plant also causes dermatitis.

ANGEL TRUMPET TREE (Brugmansia x candida); entire plant, esp. seeds; nervous system affected by belladonna alkaloids; plant contains hallucinogens.

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/php/plants.php?action=display

Jimsonweed, Downy Thornapple, Devils Trumpet, Angels Trumpet

Commonly effected: cattle, humans, horses, goats
Plant parts: flowers, leaves, seeds
Toxins: atropine, scopalamine, and hyoscyamine

Honeysuckle not listed

http://www.vth.colostate.edu/poisonous_plants/report/report_detail_1.cfm?ID=408
Trumpet Vine listed as Poisonous

this site states Honeysuckle is (to animals):
http://www.canaryzoo.com/poisonous plant list.htm

Honeysuckle All, specially Berries Vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy.

This site says Honeysuckle isn't (to people)
http://www.chop.edu/service/poison-control-center/resources-for-families/berries-and-seeds.html

Yet a google search for honeysuckle poisonous lists many cat & dog sites stating it's poisonous the them.

Any thoughts on the links is appreciated.

Brendasue

I may try the honeysuckle on the west side as a more permanent fix.