christmas tree

[jaime7997]

So, I put a tree in with the birds on Saturday and they don't really seem to be hanging out in it... To those of you that have done this, do you stand the tree up or lie it on it's side? I have it standing up right now. I think maybe I need to trim some bottom branches off so they can get under it better. I don't know... Just looking to see how you all did the "discarded Christmas tree" thing... Thanks!

[Bird Brained]

Lay it on it's side on the wire floor.  I do it all the time with cedar trees I cut from the fields and fence rows.  You can also put prop the trunk a couple feet up against the side of the pen to lift the tree some on one end letting the top of the tree rest on the floor.

It not only gives the birds something to pick at, it provides a hiding place, and will groom their feathers as they walk through it.  by the time I remove it, the birds usually have stripped all the green and bark from it.

[Reeves]

What BB said, plus what I'll say in a PM.

[jaime7997]

Thanks guys!!

[slider]

Just make sure it does not have any flock on it....or any tinsile left on it...

[ode2god]

 

[jaime7997]

Just make sure it does not have any flock on it....or any tinsile left on it...

It wasn't used... We know a guy that has a tree farm locally and he gave me a couple trees that they had cut and didn't sell. I hope to be able to get some from him throughout the year. Castoffs, misshapen ones, etc... Just wish I had thought of it sooner than a month before Christmas when he was so busy. But, better late than never.

[CharlieHorse]

Hey jaime,

  I'm next door to a Christmas tree farm myself.  Since I have a ground pen , I put a little straw on the trees, the BW's will get up in there and roost at different levels where they make "beds" in the hay/straw. 

[slider]

Welcome back !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jaime7997]

Did somebody leave? Did I miss something??
I think I'm going to trim some branches from the bottom of it and put some more hay under there. And maybe some in the branches themselves! Thanks Charlie!

[CharlieHorse]

Try both, but try putting an ample amount on the tree itself and kinda shove some down inside of it.  It works great, although you can get a build up of droppings and will have to dispose of the tree, clean it or whatever, depending on amount of birds'

Welcome back !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

         Me?   I believe that you're the one who has been runnin' 'round all over the country?   

[slider]

Christmas trees are good....
Home Sweet Home!!!!!!!!!!

[jaime7997]

Try both, but try putting an ample amount on the tree itself and kinda shove some down inside of it.  It works great, although you can get a build up of droppings and will have to dispose of the tree, clean it or whatever, depending on amount of birds'

Welcome back !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

         Me?   I believe that you're the one who has been runnin' 'round all over the country?   

I need to do that... Although I went out last night to feed and stuff and some of them were actually in the house part of the pen. I was shocked. And some were under the tree I think. One actually jumped down from one of the low branches! He was perching in there somewhere. Made me happy to know they were at least getting out of the weather.

[wildergamebirds]

  If your pen dimensions allow, you would get a larger usable area of shelter by laying the tree on it's side.  If they are already using it, that might upset them, a little, now.  Over all, it seems evergreen trees, and trimmings, and shade screen, are better utilized by game birds than  shelter houses.

[jaime7997]

Tell me about it! Their food is in the house and I think if it weren't for that they would never go in. BUT. You all told me that from the get-go. Your'e so smart...;)
I may put theo ther tree  in there too on its side and see how they do with it. If I get ambitious. It's supposed to come up a big snow this weekend so I should get on it...