Chickens under Eucalyptus tree

[Marika]

Hi all, My family and I are soon to be first time chicken owners.
We are in the process of making our chicken house, it's all looking fab, but I have a niggleing concern... The only spot available in our yard for their house and run is under a HUGE gum tree.
It occurred to me recently that this may be a problem when they scratch around under it, both for them, and possibly for us if we are eating their eucalyptus filled eggs.
Is this worry warranted? Or is it completely safe for Chickens to scratch under a gum?

A set of neighbours have their two girls under the other side of the tree, and they seem to not worry, but they also seem quite 'relaxed' about the welfare of their chickens....
For us, our four girls will be pets foremost and their eggs will be a happy bonus, which we will devour with relish!


Thanks

 

[lillisak]

The only place we have for our coop is under an eucalyptus tree. We had chickens there before and they lived three years before something got them. (We live in the sticks in California) I didn’t worry before because I had never heard of anything about eucalyptus trees before. So I wondering if they will be ok too.

 

[EddieSalita]

Don't worry about it. Not only is it safe, but the tree will love it. I live in the qld bush. Thousands of eucalypts, casuarinas, acacias etc..... dozens of varieties all around. My chooks live their whole lives with them. I put em through the chipper and make piles of eucalypt whoodchups for them to sort through. They love it.
My only concern with large gum trees is that they can tend to drop limbs. Sometimes large ones. haven't lost any chickens to that yet. The coop took a donk in the head once. But it's study and was easily repaired.
If they ever have a nibble it's probably good for them. Anthelmintic effects.