25/02/2026
trees for
(The Chicken-Superfood)
ideally considered the #1 tree for chicken runs for several reasons:
• The Fruit: They drop massive amounts of berries over several weeks. Chickens go into a feeding frenzy for them.
• The Leaves: Unlike many fruit trees, mulberry leaves are highly edible and contain up to 20–25% protein, which is comparable to high-quality alfalfa.
• Shade: They grow very fast and have large leaves, providing a cool canopy during hot summers.
• Winter Sun: They are deciduous, meaning they drop their leaves in winter to let the sun warm up the coop.
Figs (Ficus carica) are also excellent, but they require a bit more "management" than mulberries:
Edibility: Chickens love the soft, sweet fruit. They will peck them right off the lower branches or wait for them to fall.
• The "Sap" Warning: Fig trees produce a milky white sap (latex) when a leaf or branch is broken. This sap can be a skin irritant for humans and, in rare cases, can cause "photo-sensitivity" or irritation on the un-feathered parts of a chicken (like the comb or wattles).
• Hardiness: Figs love reflected heat. If you plant them against a south-facing wall of the coop, they’ll thrive.
***Other Great "Chicken FeedTrees***
If you want to round out your "chicken orchard," consider these:
: Great for their immune systems. They eat the berries (never the stems/leaves, as those are toxic to most animals).
(Papaya): Excellent for tropical/subtropical areas; the seeds are often used as a natural dewormer.
Pea Tree: A nitrogen-fixing tree that produces small "peas" that are very high in protein—literally "chicken feed" growing on
for
(Moringa oleifera)
This tree is a game-changer for poultry. Almost every part of it is packed with nutrients.
• Nutrient Density: Moringa leaves are incredibly high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, and Potassium.
• Egg Quality: Feeding moringa leaves to chickens is proven to result in darker, richer orange yolks and stronger eggshells.
• Natural Growth Promoter: Many organic farmers use moringa as a natural alternative to antibiotics because it boosts the chickens' immune systems so effectively.
• How to feed: You can let them peck the lower leaves, or harvest branches, dry them, and crumble the "leaf powder" into their winter feed.
(Symphytum)
If you could only plant one herb next to your coop, make it Comfrey (specifically the Bocking 14 variety so it doesn't spread like a w**d).
: It’s high in protein and contains allantoin, which helps with cell regeneration.
• High Yield: You can cut it down to the ground 4–5 times a year, and it will grow right back. Throw the wilted leaves into the run; the chickens will devour them.
- Herbs
Planting these around the perimeter of the run allows the chickens to peck at them through the wire (this prevents them from scratching the plants to death).
