Putting a coop under chestnut trees

[BlindLemonChicken]

I am trying to decide on where to put my chicken coop. I have picked out a fairly level spot in a cluster of chestnut trees. It will provide deep shade during summer and has an open field on one side and woods on the other. It is far enough from the house I shouldn't (theoretically) have chickens pooping on the porch but close enough I could probably hit it with a .22 if I hear a predator. All this is to say I think its a great spot except I plan on free-ranging primarily but I am (probably over)-thinking how spiky chestnuts are. Will the chickens eat them? Will they step on them? In the grand scheme of things is it even relevant?

 

[rosemarythyme]

I don't think I've ever seen a chicken attempt to eat a fallen chestnut. I do have some shells mixed into the run litter (I gather chestnut leaves in the fall for the run) and the birds ignore it.