Hi I'm new to this from Uk and have a tree problem?

[WHUIron4life]

Hi all.... I've just got moved to the country and decided to get some chickens.
I fenced off a large part of my garden and bought 2 coops. 1 holds 6 chickens and the other holds 9 plus has a run, plenty enough room for the 6 chickens i have.
I made sure they had everything they needed ie things to climb on, grass areas, dirt areas everything that i was told to provide for them.
The reason i had chosen that part of the garden was due to the fact it had plenty of shaded areas because of a large willow tree in the corner.
I have now been told that willow trees are bad for all breeds of chicken! Typical.
Could someone please enlighten me because i can find no such info on the net which is how i found this forum.
Many Thanks
Carl

 

[3goodeggs]

All I can imagine would be the salicylic acid in the leaves. That is where aspirin comes from. It might be the problem. If they can not get to the leaves, then I would think it would be okay. Could you put a shade cloth netting up under the tree to prevent the leaves from falling into the coop?
oh, And hey!

 

[Opa]

I wouldn't be very concerned if it were me. They would have to eat an enormous amount before it would be an issue. The only time you might have a lot of leaves in your run area would be in the fall and I've never seen chickens eat any dry vegetation.

 

[Chickencoop1996]

 

[WHUIron4life]

Thanks for the advice..... To be honest it doesn't seem to have affected them yet but i'll make sure to rake the whole area as much as possible.
Hopefully this will keep them from eating the leaves. And if they do eat a few then it may stop them getting a headache !
Thanks again
Carl

 

[Desert Rooster]

Hello

from Hesperia,CA and

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama.

 

[NonnasBabies]

&

from Pride, La.

 

[lovin my birds]

Hello from Missouri and

 

[itsy]

Hey Carl! Welcome to the forum.

You're talking about a large willow tree , correct? I tried doing some searching for you as well and couldn't find anything to say that it was poisonous to chickens. Where did you hear that it was? I'm curious.

If you post this question in another section of the forum, it might get more exposure and someone might be able to help you with the answer.

Good luck and