Good tree for shelter + roosting?

[carollwood]

Want the chickens to be able to free-range in the backyard which is quite small so I'm not too worried about predators except for hawks, which can pretty easily kamikaze them with the lack of cover. Have this empty circle surrounded by concrete and I was thinking of planting a tree in the center which would 1) prevent them from being swooped on by hawks and 2) give them somewhere to hang out in. Do you guys have any recommendations for trees? Want something that can grow big enough for them to perch in while not being so big its roots start cracking and lifting the concrete. The circle is about 30 to 35 feet long diameter-wise if I remember correctly.

EDIT: I'm in Florida climate

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Chickens generally go under trees for cover, I've never seen mine in a tree. Shrubs are a better option.

 

[carollwood]

Chickens generally go under trees for cover, I've never seen mine in a tree. Shrubs are a better option.

dang, good point

any you'd recommend?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Mine will hide under any shrubs, they also like their spruce trees for cover, but they are slow growing. What is your plant zone? That will dictate what type of shrubs do well in your area. We are north, so things like willow shrubs grow fast and do well here.

Mine also like hanging out under some old trucks and our hay wagon, so anything can be good cover. Even things like tables or pallets set on bricks, short arbors, and a pergola is another idea. Just remember chickens will scratch up any roots on plants, so protecting the base is important until the plants, tree or shrubs is established.

 

[carollwood]

Mine will hide under any shrubs, they also like their spruce trees for cover, but they are slow growing. What is your plant zone? That will dictate what type of shrubs do well in your area. We are north, so things like willow shrubs grow fast and do well here.

Mine also like hanging out under some old trucks and our hay wagon, so anything can be good cover. Even things like tables or pallets set on bricks, short arbors, and a pergola is another idea. Just remember chickens will scratch up any roots on plants, so protecting the base is important until the plants, tree or shrubs is established.

Woops, should've mentioned, I'm in florida so its quite hot n sunny but we get good rain

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Woops, should've mentioned, I'm in florida so its quite hot n sunny but we get good rain

I'm way up in Wisconsin, so I can't give any plant advice, I have no clue what grows way down there. You could ask in the gardening thread, and hopefully someone can suggest something.

 

[gallo pinto]

Japanese Maple might be good. According to a quick internet search they start to struggle once you get down to zone 9b, but I live in zone 9b in California and they're all over the place.