Trees keeping my hens happy

Farmer Doug Wanstall is among free-range egg producers across the UK who have planted more than a million trees to create a happy habitat for hens.

Chickens derive from jungle fowl meaning they express their natural behaviour best when provided with the shade and shelter from trees, venturing further into their range and living a stress-free life.

Mr Wanstall is among 400 members of the British Free Range Egg Producers Association who have participated in the tree-planting scheme.

He has planted 33,000 trees to offer shade for his 140,000 layers which supply the major supermarkets with free range eggs.

Mr Wanstall said: “It was clear that the birds liked trees because of the activity around the ones that were already in the ranges.”

The trees on his Bank Farm in Aldington offer more than just shade. The willow trees also help to keep the clay soil less waterlogged and they are chopped back regularly, with the chippings spread on the ground for the hens to dig around in.

Mr Wanstall said: “They really enjoy the wood chip. It is a haven for insects and willow is also known as a natural antiseptic.

“We are about two to three years away from the planted areas looking like a proper woodland. We will most definitely grow more willow and we might plant a few more cobnut trees too.”