[mattb]

A section of the garden is fenced off for the chickens to roam in.  They also have an enclosed run for the winter.  Where they roam is a bit trashed ( a combination of them and covering the ground when some work was being done).  Now I know they will scratch and ruin pretty much anything.  But is there a plant (grass or whatever) that can survive them?  there are some young apple trees where they roam, so that is a consideration.  Any ideas?

cheers

[8doubles]

I think you have the answer already, fruit trees.
 The hens will disturb the roots of any smaller plants eventually .
 I move the coop to summer quarters and plant the winter area with any spare brassica plants from the veg garden.
The chickens veg often grows better than the main crop.
If you have the space to move the hens it stops the ground souring and you get a crop/ chicken food.

[SUTTY1]

Hiya, put a similar post on a while ago.
Hadnt realised at the time but bamboo survives the chooks above 25cm.( but can be expensive) Till we had the snow i would have said leeks ok  but especially in winter if it green they will attack it.