Most people think that having a chicken coop means that you can’t have a beautiful backyard. But they are wrong. It is entirely possible to have a beautiful garden with a little landscaping around your chicken coop. With a bit of strategy, you could have a backyard oasis that also has a purpose. Keep reading to find out more.
Benefits Of Landscaping
With a little planning, landscaping around your chicken coop can have a lot of benefits. For one, it can provide a little extra protection to your flock. Planting shrubs and trees around your flock could keep predators from keeping an eye on your chickens. There are even some plants that will deter rats and raccoons.
These same trees and shrubs will also provide great shade for your chickens. They will enjoy the cooler areas during the summer to rest. Keeping your chickens cool is essential for egg production and reducing stress. The more shade you have, the happier your chickens will be.
It’s no secret that plants and flowers have the amazing ability to act as a bug repellant. You can use these plants to repel any pests that might be harming your flock. The plants will also help keep your yard bug free for you and the family.
It is not very common to have a bug problem in yards with chickens since chickens love to eat insects. You would have to have a real infestation for this to work. Otherwise, you may find that your chickens will need bugs brought to them.
You could also plant flowers that are fragrant enough to mask the smell of the coop. Flowers are great for covering up that “farm” smell so that you and the family can still enjoy the space. You could even eat out on the deck without worrying about the winds shifting.
And let’s not forget that having shrubs, flowers, and deco grass can work as a sound barrier too. These sound barriers work both ways. They will help muffle the sounds of your chickens in the early morning hours. And they muffle the sounds from the house late at night, so your chickens can sleep.
This situation is a win-win for everyone. Your chickens will feel safe, secure, and more relaxed. And you will be able to sleep soundly without too much disturbance. Your neighbors are sure to love this feature as well.
Having a garden could also give you a purpose for composting your chicken’s bedding. This compost is rich in all the nutrients that plants love and thrive on. If you add it to your flowers, it will help them grow, and cut back on waste.
Having landscaping around your chicken coop looks beautiful. You won’t be ashamed or embarrassed when people come over because they will love the look. You can hide just about any blemish or eyesore with a few bright flowers. Instagram loves these types of yards!
How To Choose Your Plants
Now that you know the great benefits of landscaping around your chicken coop, we can choose plants. Choosing the right plants is a lot easier than it may seem. For the most part, you can select flowers and lawn decorations that fit your style best. But you should take a few precautions to ensure the safety of your chickens.
- First, you will want to determine the main reasons for landscaping your coop. This will help you choose the types of plants best. If shade is your goal, you will want to choose taller plants. Narrowing down what your goal is to enable you to keep focused and fill in with prettier flowers.
- Next, you will want to choose only non-toxic plants for the areas closest to the coop. You will only want plants that are safe closest to the coop in case your chickens start to peck at them through the fence. Chickens aren’t in the habit of eating toxic plants because they taste bitter, but we would rather be safe.
- When you plant young seedlings, do it a foot away from the chicken coop to allow your plants to grow and become established. Once they are set, it won’t hurt to have a taste now and then.
- Choose a large variety of plants, flowers, and even garden boxes, and planters will bring your garden to life. The mixture will give you more benefits, and it looks beautiful.
- And finally, once your garden is established, don’t forget about maintenance. This not only includes the regular pruning and watering but also trimming back any plants making their way into your coop. Some bushes and trees could grow into the sides of the coop and compromise the structure. Your chickens could get out, or predators get in if left unattended.
Now that we know the logistics of how to landscape for chickens, it is time to choose your style. Landscaping can be a variety of plants or lawn decorations that fit your personality and makes your backyard home.
Rooftop Flower Box
At The Chicken Chick, Kathy Shea Mormino gives excellent instructions on how to create the perfect flower box. These flower boxes hang on your chicken coops just like a gutter would. They provide a great pop of color and personality to the outside of your coop. It also helps blend your coop seamlessly into the rest of your garden and makes it seem like it belongs.
Pampas Grass
Pampas and other tall decorative grass can serve as shade and a sound barrier. These grasses are hard to kill and grow almost all year. Pampas require little maintenance and watering; all you need to do is trim it to keep it healthy. It is not fit to feed, but chickens don’t seem interested in eating it.
Shrubs
Small shrubs like the camellia are beautiful when in bloom. These shrubs can give your chickens some added protection from predators, and provide shade during the summer. Not to mention they smell lovely and can help mask the coop smell. Flowering shrubs can come in many different colors that can add a personal touch to any garden. You can even give some of the flowers as treats for your flock.
Fruit Trees
There are so many different small fruit trees that are all great for your garden. These trees protect and shade your chickens from above. Trees also protect from wind and high storms, so a good sturdy tree is a great thing to have in the yard. Plus, you and your chickens could enjoy some fresh fruit when they are ripe.
Perennials
These flowers are hearty and come back every spring. They make your garden come alive, and a lot of them are safe for your chickens as well. These are especially good for hiding any eyesore areas around your chicken coop. It is easy to plant them in a hanging pot or straight in the garden. There are so many varieties that there is no end to what combination you can have. Just always double-check that they are safe before planting.
Lavender
The iconic lavender is excellent for many things. Its strong scent is one of the most famous. It is a natural calmer to people and chickens alike. If your chickens are relaxed, they are more likely to produce more eggs that are healthier and taste better. This strong scent can also be a deodorizer for your yard. But lavender is also a natural bug deterrent. So you might find that you have less of a bug problem with this miracle flower around.
Mint
For another calming plant, you might want to look at mint. These smaller plants can be calming to your chickens and mask smells just like lavender. They even repel mice and insects. But one thing that mint does that lavender doesn’t is cool your chicken. That’s right. If you give your chickens fresh mint in the summer, it is proven to lower their body temperature.
Bamboo
Another aesthetically, pleasing sound barrier is bamboo. You can plant these anywhere, and they will take off growing. With enough of them growing, your neighbor will never complain about your noisy chickens again. A word of caution, though. Bamboo is highly invasive if not trimmed back. It could easily take over your whole block!
Sunflowers
Having a sunflower in your garden brings a lot of color and happiness to the yard. These tall plants are easy to grow and have several benefits. Your chickens can eat the seeds, and so can you. They can provide some shade if planted close enough to the coop. And if you have several of them, they can be a sound barrier.
Climbing Roses
These charming roses are a beautiful addition to any garden. Whether you use them directly on your coop or a fence, these roses make any garden look magical. But they also have a purpose. Roses are an excellent treat for your chickens, and they love rose hips in the fall. Climbing roses can also give your chickens extra shade during the summer and mask smells.
What Will You Plant?
No matter if these are planted in pots, raised beds, or directly in the soil. Landscaping around your chicken coop can make a backyard look beautiful and functional. Tending to your flock and caring for the plants can be very therapeutic, and give you accomplishment. What are some of your favorites?
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Backyard Chicken Board!!
