Aren't trumpet vines (flowers) hallucinogens?

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

pardon my lack of knowledge of growing peas and pole beans. but will they actually grow that big? long enough to reach a length of atleast 18' long? if they do, WOW!!!!

Perennial vines such as grapes or virginia creeper will provide you earlier shade in the summer and last season long once they get established. Just don't cut the vines off in the fall. You will lose sunlight in the chicken run in the winter, but will have plenty of shade all summer.

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.

I was going to suggest hops, but grapes are probably a better idea.

Pole beans can grow 10-12 feet high - enough to provide some temporary shade until the other more permanent vines get established. You'd plant a seed or 2 every foot or so along the 18'.

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

campsis as hallucinogen? Could someone provide a source for that? Certain plants in Bignoniaceae can cause skin irritation if contact with wood is made, but nothing I've run across cites campsis (trumpet vine). source: Poisonous Plants, Frohne and Pfander.

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.

Trying to post pictures

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:48261}}

another one of vine

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:48262}}

akaj9,
i wouild love to see a picture!!

I don't know about the scientific names of the plants. I do know that if it's listed as poisonous or toxic it's not something I'd want around my animals, and I have much more expensive animals than (and including) chickens. I'd much prefer to stick with known safe plants than take a chance.

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%20plant%20list.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 grow my cucumber vines up the sides of the chicken run every summer. Sure, the chickens eat the ones that grow low inside, but there are plenty for all of us!

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

oh...I may try adding some cucs in the summer...I once grew birdhouse gourds and it was so cool as they all hung down....

I agree on growing grape vines on the chicken run! Japanese beetles love grapes and you can just sweep the beetles with your arm off the foliage right into the chicken run, they go crazy for Japanese beetles. Very satisfying :)

I highly recommend vining rose bushes. I had some grow up the side of the house 12 feet, around a corner and over the eves onto the roof before I moved. It only took 2 years and I think that with the hardiness and hardness of the vines, plus thorns to repel the varmints, they would work well. Chicks would probably eat the rose hips. Only problem I ever had was aphid infestation, but a box of ladybugs took care of that. AWESOME to watch the little ladies munch down. Good luck.

What about purple hyacinth bean vine? Or Malabar spinich? Both beautiful, super fast growing, and beautiful!!

HOPS! We have them around chx run. Hops grow 12 inches a day, provide excellent shade, and it creates a little ecosystem for beneficial insects. Did I mention beer?

Fae

Tigger melon is so fragrant and the chickens love !Also a loofah !

Try Kudzu.

What about grape vines?

Chickens love cucumbers and those vines are so fast! Don't do Morning Glorys! They love the seed, but it's a 'trip' for them! Been there, done that!

Hello! I am sorry, but a joke to my mind about chickens. Please let me share, it's old but me and my kids were laughing at it soo loudly:

Psychologist: 'Tell me your problem, please!'

Client: 'I am convinced that I am a chicken.'

Psychologist: 'Hmmm, how long has this thought been chasing you?'

Client: 'Ever since I was an egg in the barn.'

(source: https://www.JokestJokes.com )