Chook Me!

What kinds of low and poultry-friendly plants can I plant in dry soil almost fully shaded by conifers?

I am looking to grow some plants in fairly dry earth shaded heavily by a large conifer. (I liked the idea of growing bluebells until I read that they didn't like deeper shade.) I keep chickens and geese as well, so these plants have to be fairy hardy! Ideally I would like the plants to replicate and spread over time to cover this fairly large patch.

Public Comments

1. The acid in the pine needles usually cause a "scorched earth" scenario under the trees. Not much will grow there except other acid loving plants which love dark shade. Google "acid loving plants, shade" for your best bets.
2. A plant that copes well in poor conditions is geranium it spreads well but I don't know if it is toxic to chickens. I have seen it do well at the base of conifers. more on this http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plantprofile_geranium.shtml
3. Wood violets (Viola papilionacea) http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=h2&oq=Viola%20papilionacea&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4DGUS_enUS310US310&q=wood+violets http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=h2&oq=wood%20violets&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4DGUS_enUS310US310&q=Viola+papilionacea