Will my Chickens Kill my Holly Tree?

[Basel]

Hi

My enclosed run sits primarily under the canopy of my large holly tree. A tree I am very fond of. It's about 60' tall.

Will my chickens kill or harm it, either by scratching the roots too much, or more likely, by the "hot" fertilizer they spread around? I have wood chips down as bedding in the run, about 4" deep.

Anyone have a similar situation?

I'm in PA. Thanks for your help.

 

[4 the Birds]

I would be amazed if they could kill a tree that size! I suppose you could wrap the trunk down low if they showed signs of pecking. I spread wheel barrows full of chicken poop on the garden and it is a great fertilizer!

 

[Basel]

Thanks!

The run isn't up to the trunk so they can't get to that or any branches, but have dug a couple of smaller holes which might have cut into some surface roots.

So the fertilizer you spread around---is it right out of the coop or run, or do you compost it first? Let it age and heat up first?

 

[4 the Birds]

So the fertilizer you spread around---is it right out of the coop or run, or do you compost it first? Let it age and heat up first?

Yup... The poop goes directly on the garden. I spread it before I plant and while the plants are growing and maturing. The plants grow like crazy and we get a wonderful harvest each year (beans, corn, lettuce, squash, cucumbers, onions, radish, etc...). The mostly spent pine bedding does not go in the garden. That can go into your compost bin or composter to break down to mulch. We add dinner scraps and vegetation as well to the composter. That can also go on the garden after in breaks down several weeks.