New research shows trees on poultry farms are providing havens for wildlife - Woodland Trust
Trees planted on poultry farms in Cumbria are providing benefits for biodiversity, new research for the Woodland Trust shows.
The trees had originally been integrated on to ranges owned by or supplying Penrith-based The Lakes Free Range Egg Company to improve the health and welfare of the hens, boosting both the quality and quantity of eggs and making the farms more productive, but they have also become havens for wildlife.
Over the last five years biodiversity surveys have been carried out in spring and summer on nine ranges that supply The Lakes Free Range Egg Company (LFREC). Three had established trees on them of more than eight years old, three had trees between four and seven years old and three had only had trees planted in the last two years.
The aim of the research, which was carried out for the Woodland Trust by Paul Arkle and Seumus Eaves of Cumbrian Farm Environmental Partnership with the ongoing support of LFREC CEO David Brass and his wife Helen, was to assess what wildlife used this treed habitat and how farmers could further enhance its value.
Read the research briefing here
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Posted On: 03/11/2020