Types of fast growing trees that chickens won't eat

[Sire12]

I have a spare 240 litre wheelie bin outside, I'm considering filling it with dirt and then planting a tree in it and after a few years when it's big enough the hens could roost in it, but what type of tree will they happily roost in and not eat the leaves? I currently have 6 eucalyptus bonsai sized trees which are growing fast but I think they would eat its leaves, I also have Christmas trees of the same size but I read that hens will eat pine needles so I can't use it, needs to be fast growing but not necessarily cold hardy since I can just wheel it inside in winter lol, thanks

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

Eucalyptus my be poisonous.

If you don't mind me asking, do you have a coop? If so, planting a tree in an uncovered run could be an invite to hawks and owls. Unless your coop (or chickens) are 100% predator proof, I would not plant a tree.

If its for a fun little play-thing, sure, go ahead. I would actually go with something that chickens can eat, just because it's for them. The tree should be fine, there are always some leaves that they won't be able to reach.

If you are worried about appearances, I have a sweet gum tree that I used to climb myself. Wonderful smooth bark. The leaves also smell strongly, and I happen to know that they taste bad, too . But they drop little spike-balls every few autumn's, and they are not fun to land/step on.

Have you looked at building one, or using a dead one set in concrete?

 

[Sire12]

Eucalyptus my be poisonous.

If you don't mind me asking, do you have a coop? If so, planting a tree in an uncovered run could be an invite to hawks and owls. Unless your coop (or chickens) are 100% predator proof, I would not plant a tree.

If its for a fun little play-thing, sure, go ahead. I would actually go with something that chickens can eat, just because it's for them. The tree should be fine, there are always some leaves that they won't be able to reach.

If you are worried about appearances, I have a sweet gum tree that I used to climb myself. Wonderful smooth bark. The leaves also smell strongly, and I happen to know that they taste bad, too . But they drop little spike-balls every few autumn's, and they are not fun to land/step on.

Have you looked at building one, or using a dead one set in concrete?

Oh I didn't know trees would attract hawks! Glad I asked before planting! They have a large coop but I was thinking if I had a tree in a wheelie bin I could wheel it into their coop at night and back outside for sunlight in the morning lol, but if it might cause trouble il just leave it, thanks for the info and help

 

[User395221]

You can't really plant a tree in a wheelie bin. Trees look like they go straight up and down, but about a third of it is under the soil and the roots spread way outside the area of the trunk. A tree in a wheelie bin would just topple over without the roots spread out into the soil to support it. Also, to plant anything you'd have to provide adequate drainage by drilling holes in the bottom, and then it wouldn't be suitable to move inside.

I'm making a tall roost for my girls out of an old outdoor umbrella stand and some pvc pipe. Perhaps you can create something manmade for them to sit up in?

 

[centrarchid]

What trees are native to your area? Especially those that keep leaves over winter. If in Ireland, I would not be overly concerned about raptor problems.

 

[Sire12]

What trees are native to your area? Especially those that keep leaves over winter. If in Ireland, I would not be overly concerned about raptor problems.

Sorry for the late reply, yeah actually there are a row of very tall established trees just behind the fence and there's probably well over 50 little song birds that live in them they come out and do a sweep around the feeder after I feed the hens, I'm not sure about growing a tree in the bin anymore I did clear out a spot right beside their climbing area where I could place a water barrel and grow something in it but again its trying to find a tree that they won't devour if they have access to it xD il upload a pic today of the space I cleared out and also one of the willow tree I planted in a water barrel last week, one of the smaller willows i had started in a small pot blew over and within minutes they had stripped it bare so I can't let them near it either

 

[aart]

Plant it in the ground and put fencing around it to keep them from scratching up the roots and eating the leaves.

 

[Sire12]

Yeah I might end up doing that instead of using a barrel, was thinking of getting one of those Japanese maples that has red leaves in autumn but it's a slow grower il have a shop around and see, is there anything that would be beneficial to plant for the hens like a specific shrub or something that attracts bugs that they could eat

 

[centrarchid]

A mix of legumes in a row can serve as a bio-attractor for nocturnal insect drift. The hen can then get a few each morning.

 

[mobius]

Mine roost in pine trees (see my avatar) and they very rarely pull a needle off...the three little pines in their yard are doing just fine.