Oak Tree Question

[Shotgun Lizzie]

I'm working on setting up my new coop and run. Since I'm in sunny Florida I wanted to place them under a tree for shade. The only trees I have are oaks. I've read the tannins in oak leaves and acorns can be toxic to animals. If they were free ranging (which they won't be) wouldn't they be scratching under those leaves for insects and worms? The acorns are very large so swallowing them whole wouldn't be a problem. I could tarp the whole top of the run to keep any smaller leaves or acorns from falling inside if necessary. What are your opinions and has anyone had issues with oaks?

 

[3KillerBs]

IMO, as long as they have good feed to eat and the ability to choose at all time, chickens have a wonderful ability to avoid ingesting toxic plants.

Shade is incredibly valuable, and the dry leaves will make splendid litter in your run.

 

[TXchickmum]

-had a chicken run underneath a huge Red Oak for nine years. It provided wonderful shade! The chickens scratched in the leaves when they were out in the lawn, but never ate stuff from the trees (but then, again, our squirrels cleared the acorns). -never had any problems.

 

[Shotgun Lizzie]

IMO, as long as they have good feed to eat and the ability to choose at all time, chickens have a wonderful ability to avoid ingesting toxic plants.































































Shade is incredibly valuable, and the dry leaves will make splendid litter in your run. 











Thanks. That was my thoughts on the leaf litter.

 

[Shotgun Lizzie]

-had a chicken run underneath a huge Red Oak for nine years. It provided wonderful shade! The chickens scratched in the leaves when they were out in the lawn, but never ate stuff from the trees (but then, again, our squirrels cleared the acorns). -never had any problems.

Thanks TXchickmum! That's very good to know!

 

[WingsysRoost]

My chickens have never had an issue with either oak leaves or acorns. They are usually pretty good at picking out what they can and cannot eat, in my personal experience. Their yard ends up with a lot of oak leaves in the fall, as well as acorns, and I have never had any trouble.

I suspect that acorns are also not really worth the extra effort from their perspective, as long as they have other options available that are easier to access.

 

[Shotgun Lizzie]

Thank you for making me feel better about my plans.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

There are several large oak trees in my run, and I import MORE leaves into the run every fall from the neighbors yards. They won't eat the leaves, and certainly won't go eating big, hard, bitter acorns. The chickens are GREAT at making compost out of oak leaves, though!

 

[Shotgun Lizzie]

Yay! That's exactly what I wanted to hear! We have  in abundance!
Thanks!

 

[Krugerrand]

Do the acorns attack squirrels? That's the only problem I could see. They may want to go after your feed.