[gracie]

In the process of building pen, (dont have the chickens yet). I have an area of the garden that i grow my vegetables in, I am giving the chickens half of this area. I have today planted out the rest with primarily greens, (chicken heaven i believe). If i mesh the vegetable area off so the chickens wont get to it, will they still like to roam round the rest of the area. It is primarily a pebbled pathway, nettles round the back of a shed and some slabs, so only a small dirt area behind the shed really. I guess they will just love more freedom but just want to check they will get a lot out of it as i will have to get a gate for the area to stop them getting out to the main part of the garden.

[joyfull]

the more space they can get the better - although they always want more  . The nettles will attract insects and the birds will love that, and they will love scratching around the pebbles, but do make sure you make your veg growing area well secure as they will wolf them down. However when you dig the area over then let them join you as they love to get bugs and beasties out of the ground and any worms they see 

[gracie]

Oh good, i was hoping it would be fun for them.

[Lindeggs]

Definitely fun!  My chickens often surprise me by heading off to places where I can't see there would be any attraction, but somehow they find bugs, snails, green shoots and interesting bits & pieces.  Generally I think they just love to explore, even if it doesn't always lead to a feeding frenzy (although it often does!)

Also anywhere they can get a bit of time out is good - if someone is being bullied or generally under the weather they will benefit from being out of sight of the others for a while.

As for dirt patches, mine love to dig holes and dust bathe, so dirt is good too.

If you get the opportunity, put a few extra bricks or pavers on the ground now.  Local bugs will make their homes under it, then when you have your chickens you can lift the paver and give the chickens a treat (not so much fun for the bugs though...)

[ManicMum]

Old carpet works to cover a patch of soil - supresses weeds before you dig over a new plot &/or encourags bugs and beasaties.

We have a small piece of carpet (about a metre square) which gets moved around the run at intervals: they always get very interested in the place where it's been lifted up from.

[gracie]

Great tips, thank you. Has anyone got any ideas of a naughty step for chickens that are bullies?

[lucywil]

when you get a gate just bare in mind that they can jump/fly pretty high even with their wings clipped