Chicken run and acer tree

[L66wlt]

So today while considering where to put our coop and run (very limited options). I was wanting to incorporate an old raised fish pond into the run but fill it with sand and use it as a dust bath. At the back of the pond is a small rockery with an acer tree(6 ft high) in the middle of it, I dont know if I should have it all in the run or not as I can't see if the tree is toxic to chickens. This old rockery would give them a good digging and scratching area if it's not possible to allow them out the run on any given day. Also will they kill the tree by damaging it?

 

[tralfaz]

that looks like a good sized maple, I'd just put large sized stones to prevent them from damaging the roots. How many chickens are you planning to house and what's the size of the property you are dedicating to the coop and run?

 

[Folly's place]

Most Japanese maples prefer more acid soil, so who knows? I agree, places stones around it to protect the roosts, and keep it watered. You will need to build the run tall enough to roof over it, I assume with netting?
Can it be moved?
The chickens will like it though.
Mary

 

[aart]

I was wanting to incorporate an old raised fish pond into the run but fill it with sand and use it as a dust bath

That's pretty big dust bath!!
How deep is the pond?
Is there a drain in the bottom of it?

I'd keep the tree outside of the run.
Can't really see the whole site tho and don't know what your plans are for size and layout of coop and run.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The tree should be safe for the chickens, but the chickens may not be so safe for the tree. Just excluding it from the run area would be the easiest option... trying to net over a tree if you opt to go that route would be something of a pain.

 

[L66wlt]

Thank you all for replying.
I intend to have a coop of about 6ftx6ft(2mx2m max!) with a run of about 4.8m long if I included the tree in the run but 4m if I stop it at the tree and still inlude the old pond. I want to have the coop up on stilts so I can maximise the floor space.
The pond was there when I bought the house and I have a 2 year old son so keeping it as a pond isn't an option for me through safety and I have no interest in it as a pond anyway so rather than knock it down I though I may be a good dust bath? It's probably about 30 inches deep.
Will be a first time chicken owner so wanting to make sure everything is done right. I'll probably leave the tree outside the run and let them at it when they get out for the day.

 

[aart]

Maybe fill the pond with dirt and build the coop over it?
What is the LxW of the pond?
Concerned that the pond would hold rainwater and become a mire of nastiness.
Why I asked if it had a drain....pics of inside of pond might help.

Oh, and .... Welcome to BYC! @L66wlt
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Folly's place]

If it held water as a pond, it will hold water! You may need to remove the pond liner first, so you aren't having to deal with it later. Water plus chicken poo will be awful!
Mary

 

[L66wlt]

Maybe fill the pond with dirt and build the coop over it?
What is the LxW of the pond?
Concerned that the pond would hold rainwater and become a mire of nastiness.
Why I asked if it had a drain....pics of inside of pond might help.

Oh, and .... Welcome to BYC! @L66wlt
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 2125070

That was my first intention to build the coop on stilts over the pond and back fill with soil, a weed barrier then 10 inches or so of sand. Then I though have the coop opposite side from pond and let them have a dust bath area and a semi natural foraging area around the tree within the coop.
The pond structure is roughly 1.6m x 1.6m and as of now has a hard plastic pond liner inside. As I have no intention of ever reestablishing the pond I am just going crack and remove the base of the liner to allow drainage into the earth under it.
Thanks for the warm welcome and help on this matter. I'm in Central Scotland so rain is almost always a factor here. I intend to have a metal sheeting roof above the coop and run to limit as much water as possible from muddying up the run.

 

[L66wlt]

If it held water as a pond, it will hold water! You may need to remove the pond liner first, so you aren't having to deal with it later. Water plus chicken poo will be awful!
Mary

Thanks. My intention was to always remove or damage the liner so that holding water wasn't possible. Filling it with gravel, weed barrier and then 10 inches or so of sand for the birds to use as they wish. Just wondering if it was a good idea or if they would use it. Obviously all precautions taken to minimise any pooling of water which may cause it to become a muddy mess.