Non Toxic Climber

[TPeers]

Not sure where to put this so.......

I want to plant a climber to grow over the static hen run in my garden.

It obviously needs to be non-toxic as the hens will probably eat parts of it.

It will also need to be vigerous, tough, attractive and hopefully have good Autumn colour.

Anyone got a sugestion?

[Hilary B]

Passiflora? It certainly has very edible fruit, but I reckon if the leaves are poisonous, chooks won't eat them.
All the 'sure they aren't toxic' climby things I can think of are annuals, eg gourds, courgettes etc.
How about that red thing related to nasturtium, tropo-something-or-other? I think it dies back to roots in winter, but judging from what I've seen in gardens we visit, it grows fast in Spring.
Of course there is always the ultimate climbing weed, (Bindweed, the large flowered one). I don't think that would be toxic, and it is certainly vigorous! Isn't Morning Glory a cultivated version of that?

[TPeers]

If you think I am going to willingly plant a bindweed pretty or not........

I wondered about a grape vine, all parts are edible by humans so I assume safe for hens?

I also wondered about a virginia creaper - but isn't it related to ivy? Ivy being poisonous to livestock.

Passionflower sounds good - what sort of Autumn colour do you get? I didn't think there was much.

[MaureenHall]

I think Bindweed is toxic so I'd steer clear. I've got honeysuckle growing up the walls of 2 runs and I tried planting a seedling to grow up the mesh - but they got their beaks through and decimated it (Not sure if the honeysuckle berries are poisonous or not but the chooks have left them alone) Same for Hops, but I'll persevere with those and try another tactic

[TPeers]

Hops - never thought of hops!

That might be good - gold autumn colour and you can leave cutting it down until spring - yes?

(and there is always home made beer......)

[Hilary B]

If you think I am going to willingly plant a bindweed pretty or not........

I wondered about a grape vine, all parts are edible by humans so I assume safe for hens?

I also wondered about a virginia creaper - but isn't it related to ivy? Ivy being poisonous to livestock.

Passionflower sounds good - what sort of Autumn colour do you get? I didn't think there was much.

Grape vine.. possible, if it survives. I think I have seen ones which are not intended to produce useable fruit, which may be a safer bet than a 'proper' one (I suspect tougher)
NOT virginia creeper. That 'climbs' by suckers, which might have trouble clingning to a chicken-run and, while I don't KNOW of it being related to Ivy, I suspect it may well be poisonous.
I'm having to think hard about the Passionflower in autumn. I think it is just rather late to lose its leaves, but the ripening fruit (if you get any) are a lovely orangey-peachy colour.
Honeysuckle berries ARE toxic, although I suspect not to birds (very few seed-bearing red berries are toxic to birds, or how would they get the seeds spread?)

[pdblake]

(and there is always home made beer......)

Surely that's reason enough.

[TPeers]

What about this?

Parthenocissus vitacea - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[TPeers]

Found your ornamental grape - looks a good contender!

Vitis coignetiae - Buy crimson glory grape vine Vitis coignetiae: Delivery by Crocus.co.uk

The static run is basically 3" square posts and weldmesh soI'm not too worried about vines over it - and the planting position is currently poor, dry and shady until next door do as promised and take out the conifers between our houses at which point it will be poor, less dry and partially shady!

[Hilary B]

What about this?

Parthenocissus vitacea - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Well OUR Virginia Creeper doesn't have leaves like that, they are more like a maple leaf, otherwise, sounds a possible option.

[Hilary B]

Found your ornamental grape - looks a good contender!

Vitis coignetiae - Buy crimson glory grape vine Vitis coignetiae: Delivery by Crocus.co.uk

The static run is basically 3" square posts and weldmesh soI'm not too worried about vines over it - and the planting position is currently poor, dry and shady until next door do as promised and take out the conifers between our houses at which point it will be poor, less dry and partially shady!

Yep, that is the one! Looks a good contender to me too!

[TPeers]

Well OUR Virginia Creeper doesn't have leaves like that, they are more like a maple leaf, otherwise, sounds a possible option.

That's probably becase the wiki entry was for something called false virginia creeper - I'm just not sure what the consiquences of the hens eating young shoots and/or ripe berries might be.

I think the ornamental grape is the best bet - I know that humans can eat all parts of a grape - the fact that is doesn't grow edible grapes is not a problem, in fact something of an advantage as I would then need to do something with them!

[BFG]

Eating them wouldn't be too much of a chore!

Don't chucks like grapes too?

[TPeers]

Yes - but I only enjoy the pressed and fermented type and I'm c**p at making wine!