Are fig trees fine to put in chicken coops?

[JustBabyMargo]

Hi! My parents bought a fig tree that they say will be planted in our chicken run. I saw one article that said they have some kind of toxic something (in the leaves) but they said they haven’t had any experiences. Should it be fine? Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Regina Larsen]

I think it will just go straight into the (rocky) ground. We don’t really get snow more freezing rain. What happens when my chickens jump onto the tree to eat the fruit off? My chickens are crazy and love to perch in bushes and even love to eat from my rosemary bush that’s already in there!

It will need winter protection which would be a bit awkward. Figs will grow back even if the entire branch structure is winter killed but they will only last so long taking winter damage. I wrap mine with hay and bubble wrap, and in very cold climates ppl run small light strings to keep a bit of heat. They do require full, baking sun - they are Mediterranean after all No sun, no fruit, spindly plant that will last only a few years.
The leaves are goat safe, as is the fruit. Fruit is safe for chickens but leaves are NOT. They are chicken toxic - if its in their coop or run they are more likely to peck it.
Figs are a worthwhile challenge - but in a coop, i vote no.

 

[Caseyvdb]

Hi! My parents bought a fig tree that they say will be planted in our chicken run. I saw one article that said they have some kind of toxic something (in the leaves) but they said they haven’t had any experiences. Should it be fine? Thanks in advance for any help!

Hi. If a fig tree is bad for chicken my chicken would have been sick a long time ago. we have kept chicken there for the last 18 years and still growing.
hope this photo gives you a idea how big they can get, it is about 12 meters wide and the same in height. the cage is made of wire mesh and is about 1.8 meters high and 5 meters in width and have a mesh roof that we cut around the tree

 

[WallyG74]

What mama wants, mama usually gets. Plant the fig tree and let nature do the rest.

 

[JustBabyMargo]

What mama wants, mama usually gets. Plant the fig tree and let nature do the rest.

Would it be harmful though? These are my chickens that I have to take care of. They aren’t hers I have to take care of every single sick chicken. Most of the time she doesn’t even believe me when I tell her what’s wrong. These chickens mean a lot to us and I don’t want them to die before she sees it’s not right.

 

[Ryguy3684]

Everything I've read says that figs/fig trees are fine for chickens, along as it's not their main food source. I personally don't think it'll grow well in that location, but I don't think it's bad for the birds.

 

[cherrynberry]

Hi! My parents bought a fig tree that they say will be planted in our coop. I saw one article that said they have some kind of toxic something (in the leaves) but they said they haven’t had any experiences. Should it be fine? Thanks in advance for any help!

I won't be of much help, but, why would you want to put it in the coop? Does it get enough sun? Fig trees can grow really big...our neighbor had one that branched into our backyard slightly, but the chickens could not really reach it.

 

[cherrynberry]

Would it be harmful though? These are my chickens that I have to take care of. They aren’t hers I have to take care of every single sick chicken. Most of the time she doesn’t even believe me when I tell her what’s wrong. My chicks almost died from coccidiosis and I lost my Baby Margo. These chickens mean a lot to us and I don’t want them to die before she sees it’s not right.

Well, trees in the coop takes up space. Thats less space for the chickens! I think the tree will die in the coop. But if you cannot get your mom to give in, theres nothing you could do. All I can say is that you may not want to eat the figs off that tree.

 

[Regina Larsen]

Thank you!

You are most welcome! Good luck with your plantings - as an idea, they can have hostas and they would likely do well in the area you are describing. If its super rocky and sandy, toss some peat moss into the planting hole they will do well. May need a small wire fence around it as hostas are quite delicious

 

[stacysfunnyfarm]

I have an aviary with a mature fig tree in it. Twenty years on, no problems with hens, ducks or geese. They do eat the ripe fruit, and there is plenty of it! My Shetland sheep wander through and eat the leaves and ripe fruit. That is to say Charlie eats the fruit, loves it! Hamish is more discriminating and prefers saltines. The tree itself provides lots of shade and the leaf fall in autumn is easy to deal with because the leaves are so big.