landscape planning - Apple trees and coop location

[kathlynr8]

Hi - I visited a farm that had apple trees next to their chicken run.. it was supposed to be good for worms and the chickens loved the apples.
But I just read a pamplet that said to not plant apple trees near your coop because of bears..
I wanted to make my coop area attractive and shady and was thinking to plant apple trees around it - but now I am rethinking..

Also if I should have my apple trees elsewhere - what are other shade option trees around a chicken coop?

It seems that chickens like ducking into bushes - does it ever work to plant a a bush in their run?

I perhaps I could use a little clarification about the shade / chickens like trees but they cant hang out in the forest in trees because of predators concept...

Thanks for your help and patience with a newbie!

 

[3KillerBs]

First, are bears an issue in your area?

If yes, then the chickens themselves are likely to attract them regardless of what you plant around the coop since bears like eggs and chicken as much as any other predator does. I don't have bear in my area, but I am given to understand that the only thing that deters them is an electric fence with a STRONG charger.

If not, then there's no need to worry about it.

Chickens like shade and they would love to clean up fallen fruit (they may also like to fly up into the trees and nibble ripening fruit if they're lightweight, active-flying breeds).

Anything you plant inside a chicken run has to be protected from the chickens, who will happily eat it when it's young and tender and/or scratch up the roots. Well-established bushes can sometimes co-exist with chickens depending on the number of chickens and how many other food sources they have.

 

[kathlynr8]

yes, indeed I do. I just made a garage for my trash cans..
_Kate

 

[3KillerBs]

yes, indeed I do. I just made a garage for my trash cans..
_Kate

Talk to your local Ag Extension about good electric fence options then plant what you like.

This article on the basics of electric fence is excellent: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/a-treatise-on-electric-fences-for-poultry.72229/

 

[Alaskan]

Talk to your local Ag Extension about good electric fence options then plant what you like.

This article on the basics of electric fence is excellent: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/a-treatise-on-electric-fences-for-poultry.72229/

X2
Actually, x2 on everything that @3KillerBs said.

Other thoughts... my chickens loved the leaves on my apple tree. So, that was a problem with a small tree fully inside run.

 

[kathlynr8]

Talk to your local Ag Extension about good electric fence options then plant what you like.

This article on the basics of electric fence is excellent: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/a-treatise-on-electric-fences-for-poultry.72229/

good point. Will do.. didnt know that AG extension would do that.. Thanks!
_Kate

 

[kathlynr8]

X2
Actually, x2 on everything that @3KillerBs said.

Other thoughts... my chickens loved the leaves on my apple tree. So, that was a problem with a small tree fully inside run.

will bear that in mind! (that wasn't an intentional pun = but guess bears are on my mind.. lol)

 

[kathlynr8]

good point. Will do.. didnt know that AG extension would do that.. Thanks!
_Kate

I emailed them my extension .. will read over the resources (Thanks!) and I have a fencing clinic tomarrow anyway and will talk to them about it..

 

[3KillerBs]

good point. Will do.. didnt know that AG extension would do that.. Thanks!
_Kate

They do help home gardeners as well as farmers so they ought to help backyard chicken keepers.

Any time I'm doing anything related to my land, garden, or livestock I check for Ag Extension publications first.

 

[Alaskan]

They do help home gardeners as well as farmers so they ought to help backyard chicken keepers.

Any time I'm doing anything related to my land, garden, or livestock I check for Ag Extension publications first.

X2

I have found them super helpful.