Chooks around fruit trees, good/bad idea

[Lisette]

We're planning on keeping some chooks on our smaller allotment (200M2). There are 3 fruit trees which are planted very close together and we were thinking of building the coop around them. Our reasoning being shade in the summer and some extra bugs for the chooks, possible added benefit of less harmful bugs in the trees. We'd make the run as so it could be taken apart/folded up/sized down if necessary. Is this a crazy idea? I'm slightly worried about any falling fruit (run would be completely closed off), but perhaps a tarp on top would solve these issues? We haven't measured the space yet but my guestimate is 4 or 5 m x 8 to 10 m.

[elizajay]

Falling fruit? I am sure the chooks would be delighted if they didn't fall on their heads. My lower apples usually have beak marks in them and I am sure they help eat the blackcurrants before I get there, but plenty to go around so I don't mind.

[Feral007]

Yes. Although having said that I'm having trouble keeping the free ranging chooks out of my fruit forest. They are digging up under the trees, where they are mulched to get the worms etc. So am thinking of laying some chicken wire flat under the trees, so they can dig a little but not decimate it entirely. Putting the mulch back everyday is getting a bit wearing. I will need to put some netting over the rhubarb as well because they get in there and go mad. But down near the chook house we have a fruit tree that is dead but has suckered up about 3x3 metres and we refer to it as the chook forest. Great shade, some protection from chicken hawks and eagles, and they love it in there.

[Lisette]

Great . The fruit couldn't possibly fall on top of them with our planned structure so all is good . Now on with writing for permission.

[chris]

My 2p...

You'll be surprised how high they can actually jump... I'm talking 6-10' (mine often jump up a 10' wall surround their patch).

They also strip my black/white/red currants bar the very top - and my bushes are around 6' wide and high !

[Bill HH]

I dont think it will hurt the chooks but I would wash the windfalls well.

[Nicos]

My chooks free range inside an electric fenced area.
there's an elderflower tree in there and they gobble up all the berries on that. nice place to sit in and under when it's really hot and sunny.

I'd be wary of having an easily moveable run as you may well have foxes in your locality and the chooks need something very solid to protect them. Easily mobile doesn't always go hand in hand with secure.
* just a thought!

[Scarlet]

Besides the security issue Chickens love to roost high. You may find it difficult getting them into their coop at night if they can find a higher perch and they will eat all your windfalls.