2009 Omlet cube and run for sale

[StinaClark]

Hi, can anyone tell me if it’s possible to place an Eglu under or next to a yew tree? Is it dangerous for the hens to have yew needles on the ground around the run? We are limited on options of where to place the run, and the best place with the most space is unfortunately under an ancient yew, so we can’t cut it down. 

Any opinions welcome. 

[AndyRoo]

1 hour ago, StinaClark said:

Hi, can anyone tell me if it’s possible to place an Eglu under or next to a yew tree? Is it dangerous for the hens to have yew needles on the ground around the run? We are limited on options of where to place the run, and the best place with the most space is unfortunately under an ancient yew, so we can’t cut it down. 

Any opinions welcome. 

I don't think the needles will harm their feet, but I'm wondering if it might cause them a problem if they were to eat them. Is there anything you could put over the run as some kind of 'shield' to minimise the needles going in to the run.

Are you going to have a walk in run? Or just the normal run

[StinaClark]

Thanks AndyRoo. I’ve got the normal 2m Up run for now. I can definitely put a tarp over the top. Someone asked about this on Netmums and there seemed to be a fair few responses from people who have put their coop under a yew, and who also let their hens forage under them and they haven’t had any issues. But I thought I ought to ask in a more specialist forum in case anyone had different advice. I’ve not read anything in all my googling where someone’s hen died after eating berries, despite all the written advice being that they are completely toxic in all aspects! 

Unless anyone else says otherwise, I might try them out where I planned to, under/next to the yew, and keep a close eye. I’ll sweep up any needles at first. And then hope the tarp keeps most of them out... 🤞

[Cat tails]

The Cube clear cover fits almost perfectly over the Go Up run. It’s about 5 cm smaller in width and about 20 cm in length.

[Patricia W]

Chickens seem to know what’s poisonous and what they can eat.