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Willows and Poultry

Poultry benefit directly from willow planted on ranges: more shade, more cover, and less stress.

What we know about willow as a habitat for poultry

Birds use willow for shade and protection from predators.
Improved ranging behaviour leads to healthier, calmer flocks.
Willow shelter reduces feather pecking and aggression.
Willow roots recycle nutrients from manure, improving soil health.

What we're exploring next

Free-range poultry producers, smallholders, and retailers focused on welfare.
Optimum layouts and varieties for fast regrowth and shade.
Potential to combine poultry shelter with carbon credits and biodiversity net gain.

Who should care

Free-range poultry producers
Small holders
Retailers focused on welfare.

Resources

External links

The Agroforestry Handbook

Combining Short Rotation Willow Coppice with free range chickens - experiences from experiments on farm level in the Netherlands

Interactions between broiler chickens, soil parameters and short rotation coppice willow in a free-range system

Effect of free-range access, shelter type and weather conditions on free-range use and welfare of slow-growing broiler chickens

Willow Solutions Articles

Poultry rearing in Poplar and Willow plots – a great example of Agroforestry

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DIY with our help

Ask us about willow belts for poultry ranges – practical, fast-growing, and welfare-friendly.

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