mrsm_jones Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 I would like to put a tree in my new run...something for the girls to perch on, shade under and to make the run look pretty! What I think I need is something woody, with low-level sturdy branches, that;s not going to grow over 6 ft, and can be kept in a large pot. Not much to ask eh?? Also, preferably something they won't tear to shreds straight away So....suggestions please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Don't know whether your girls will eat it or not but a eucalyptus tree/bush is very pretty, regular pruning will keep it below 6ft especially as it'd be in a pot. (I've read on here you can copice it - They can grow huge) but the best bit is that flies and bugs hate them (Plus you can shred and scatter any prunings in your run to make it smell nice and further deter flies). It has a quite vertical habit though so not sure it'd be good for perching but you could always put perches leaning on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 A tree in a pot is likely to be quite expensive to buy, I think, and may not be big enough to provide perches. In my experience chooks will nibble at new growth on most things so it may not stay looking good either. You might be better off getting interesting logs or rigging up branches for them to perch on. Having said that, I hope somebody comes along with a good suggestion for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FruitandNutCake Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 maybe a small speading apple tree - but again, if it is in a pot, if would have to be an extremely big heavy pot to stop the tree toppling over if a chicken did manage to perge on a branch! I agree that branches and logs at angles would be better. I have a large log, but am going to have a look for some large fallen branches. Unfortunatelly, the only ones I have seen have fallen because they were overloaded with ivy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutrix Farmers Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 A largish shrub could be an alternative, the branches on trees, even small ones, are quite high off the ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsm_jones Posted July 21, 2008 Author Share Posted July 21, 2008 Thanks for those suggestions...had been thinking of a small apple tree, but SO expensive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 old logs are good, and even if they are rotten it doesnt matter - they seem to like to shred them to bits and look for bugs inside! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 How about a hazel tree? They are small and have good branches for perching on. My chooks love ours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McAcoull Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 how about a Mallo ( think that is how its spelt) colour full bush that can be pruned. Apple trees don't need to be expensive we bought ours from Lidl and they were 5 quid each Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 A conifer is really good for shade and shelter - and all year round. they can be grown in pots which also restricts their growth to something sensible for a run. Chicken proof in my experience, as its the only green thing left standing in my chickens area. Not much good for perching on though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 What about a plastic Christmas tree??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 What about a plastic Christmas tree??? But possibly without the tinsel and fairy. I think they are quite difficult to buy at this time of year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooklady Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 What about Forsythia, not sure if I've spelt that correctly. Grows quickly but you can prune it back hard to keep it the size you want and you'll have nice yellow flowers in spring. I also bought an apple tree in B&Q for £8 last spring, they are not very big but they grow at a reasonable rate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koo2cat Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 We have a large holly bush/tree (its rather large and has always been there) in our run. There are lots of branches inside the bush which they perch on and they are always in there on a hot day. Its like their little secret hide away! Beacause it's holly there is no danger of them eating it! We also have a Robinia (?) tree in their run which is also very pretty but the chickens seem to ignore that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
