A flock of free-range chickens will keep the orchard clean of any fallen fruits. They also turn over the soil, and leave fertilizer. You don't have to pay them. They only need a safe coop to sleep in at night and clean grains to supplement thier diet. And, worming, and mite/lice control, and clean nest boxes, but chickens and fruit trees go great together!

I have 23 hens and over 200 fruit trees/shrubs/vines. Nothing is wasted. I only have 1.75 acres.

Eggs from free-range, fruit-fed hens are especially delicious!

As far as nuts, I kill all squirrels that steal from us. Why are you not harvesting the nuts? They are a valuable commodity!

A "yard" is useless. You cannot eat a pretty yard. I'm sure you can find a market for home-grown, local nuts and fruit!

Promote your produce, and please don't waste the edibles!

It drives me crazy to see all the fruit rotting on the trees here, while people eat processed crap!

Lisa

Glad to here about your strong feelings. I'm sure the red tail hawks and coyotes will love the chickens. At least they won't go to waste.

I thought this might happen. You are both in the wrong forum IMHO.

kybagman, should be over in lawn care

Lisa, come over to Permaculture. I'd like to hear more about you place. We need more poster there.

Here is a link that might be useful: Permaculture

Bagman, oddly enough, we have a large population of hawks in our rural area, yet our chickens are never bothered.

Maybe because we chose large breeds, instead of Bantams? The hawks regularly kill native birds, but do not attempt to attack the 5-6 lb Buff Orpingtons. The Silver Leghorn Rooster is also a terrific deterrant. He even scares my 195 lb husband(G).

There are no problems with Foxes, Raccoons or othe poultry predators due to the Mastiffs and a Jack Russell Terrier guarding the property. We have no coyotes to deal with, but we do have Bobcats. Locking up the poultry at night keeps them safe while the dogs are sleeping in the A/C.

Here in Florida, I see so much waste of fruits. I admit it does cause strong feelings and I don't know why people do it.

Can you explain why you would let fruit/nuts fall to the ground instead of harvesting them? Why plant 50+ fruit trees if you plan to let the fruit fall?

Or did I misread your post?

Lisa