We cut down the apple tree in the chicken run a few years ago. It had got much too big for the run. Since then it has sprouted and then been nibbled away again. The sprouting leaves have never had a chance to grow before being pecked at.
This year however it is sprouting and surviving. I am amazed! I don’t know why it hasn’t been pecked.
Sprouting apple tree
It would be quite nice to retain a little green in the run at a lower level. I just can’t work out why it is surviving though. The only difference is that Peaches and Barley are no longer with the flock. I would find it surprising if they had been the only ones pecking at it though.
Emerald will go to any length to reach any of the leaves on all the other shrubs in the run. As you can see in this photo she is taking no notice of it at all. I will watch with interest to see how big it grows and will report back.
Click here to see the history of my flock.
How unusual.
It is weird because they usually strip anything green and they used to fly up into the apple tree to eat the leaves.