The ideal poultry habitat is full of trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals, which provide shelter, protection, and nutrition. Words Nadene Hall If they have the choice, chickens prefer wooded areas, avoid bright sun, and will stay close to their housing, tree cover, or other shelter. Research into red jungle fowl in India, the closest wild relatives of domestic poultry, shows they prefer: ■ young forests; ■ where forests meet fields ■ scrubby/shrubby areas; ■ bamboo forests; ■ patches of…
