Christmas tree

[deserthotwings]

Would like to hear information on using left over Christmas trees in pens for winter shelter. I have never used any and am not sure if they might be toxic to the birds. Seems like it would be a good use for them instead of just trashing them.

 

[DancingHen]

Cedar and henlock can be toxic, but regular pine and spruce should be fine. We have huge evergreens on our property that shed large branches during storms and we collect those branches to put in the chicken runs. The birds love to pick through them and hide in them. I do throw my christmas tree outside for wild birds to use as shelter. I think it would be a great way to get extra use out of your tree. The only concern I would have is to be very careful making sure no metal ornament hooks or other items get left on the tree that the birds may find and swallow.

Here's my hen Lucy enjoying some branches we salvaged after our last storm.

 

[deserthotwings]

Thanks DancingHen. Wasn't sure if pheasants might try to eat the needles and due damage. I always see a lot of left over trees a couple of days after Christmas and thought this might be a good use for them. I try to keep at least one citrus tree in each pen for shade during the summer and thought the birds might enjoy hiding in the Christmas trees. Thanks for the photo and info. Lucy is beautiful..

 

[birdboy15]

Because my family owns about 400 acers of christmass trees (some pruned some not) I have access to all that I need. I put trees and branches in all pheasant, guinea, quail, and peacock pens. the birds love them and spend more time in the trees than in their shelter.

 

[deserthotwings]

Good to know Birdboy15. Sounds like you and DancingHen have a good thing going with the Christmas trees. Do you leave them in the pens when they start to dry out or remove them ?

 

[adriano]

Quote:
I have left mine in it since last january and have had no problems.
They keep the colour for several months and have provided nesting places for mine.
I have them in all pens and collect them from the christmas tree collection in our local recycle pick up.

 

[aldren90]

I use my tree every year nd they love it and then it gets covered with poop and i take it out and they all look like they are sad i have had pheasant parrots and doves have nests in these guys and babies too!

 

[J3172]

I like to take the leftover tree cut the branches off the middle of one side. Then when I set in on it's side their is a open space they can get under very easy, and by leaving the branches on the top side the snow collects, making a perfect natural shelter that all my species of pheasant seem to love.

 

[wbruder17]

My Lady Amherst loves the broken pine tree branch I put in their run. I just laid it over the top of their existing tree branch perch and he has slept on it every night. The Red Goldens have avoided it, but the chickens like when I give them a pine tree branch as well.

 

[Alien]

Kind of off topic, speaking of Christmas trees. I hope to find 1 or 2 pairs of Bulwers Wattled Pheasants under my Christmas Tree.
Just a hint Santa.