Planting shrubs for chickens

[cstronks]

cstronks > Thank you for your reply. As far as the size of the free range area, it's approximately 40' x 20'. I know the SWM can get very large, but I'm looking at buying 2.25 gallon shrubs offered at Lowes... Was thinking I would prune them or wack them back to keep them in check. Can you tell me which species of SpiceBush you are referring to? When I google, I see two different types: Lindera benzoin or Calycanthus?? As far as the wild strawberry plant, I'm not looking so much for a ground cover or for anything they might want to eat (believe me, they eat very very very well). I want something for them to sit under, hide in, run thru etc.

My yard is completely open to the sun, and while they can always go in the run of their coop, or behind their coop, or under the large wooden adirondack loveseat to get out of the sun, I was looking for a naturalizing shrub/tree that wouldn't harm the chickens and wouldn't necessarily attrack the natural wildlife that I have here. I live in northern jersey, acreas of wooded area behind my home, common wildlife that roam around are black bears, deer, wild turkeys, fox, raccoon, skunk, opposum, supposidly mountain lions have made their way back (we have not seen) and my husband swears he saw a mink a few days back. The free range area is fenced with electric fencing and we have absolutely seen the bear, deer, raccoon and skunk touch the fence and not be happy---> left on their own accord and didn't come back.

Anywho, sorry about the novel.. Am very interested the the SpiceBush, if you could clarify which you may have referring to.
Thanks again, Helen

Helen,
I'm very sorry for the late reply (been busy wrapping up the semester at school)! I was referring to Lindera Benzoin variety. It is hardier, as it grows from Maine to Kansas, so it can sustain a variety of temperatures. It also produces copious amounts of natural fruit, which I believe you were looking for. They are very easy to prune, and you could really keep any shrub at a decent size with constant maintaining. Wild strawberry was just a toss up, haha! A lot of bugs can grow under a covering shrub like that, which chickens love, so I figured I would throw it out there. Let me know what you decide on!
-Chris