[ReviLonai]

Hello all,
I would like to keep a couple of hens in my backyard. I have adequate shelter for them but no garden. Everything has been paved over. Can I still keep hens if I was to lay down a layer of bark or straw?

[OpiumEater]

A lot of people use soft wood chippings over slabs, at least the foxes can't dig in 

But, I know mine love to scratch and dust bath so you might want to think about how you'd provide a dust bath (old tyre filled with soil?) and scratching (roll of turf watered would last a long enough for some fun).

Maybe some container plants so they can investigate for bugs and eat the leaves.

Can't see why it shouldn't work.

Best wishes

Christine

[Raven81]

I have a run area which has dirt in for them to scratch in.  However, I don't have any grass so am going to grow some in a tub once my last bit of grass is paved over as they like to eat it. Not quite answering your question but it may help.

[terri]

it will be much faster to buy a roll of turf for under 3 pound from b&q than spend 6 weeks growing a tub of grass that a hen will have dug up and ate in a day raven.

[Raven81]

I haven't entirely decided how I'm doing it yet, as I have other animals too    I just wanted to say to Revilonai that it would be possible to provide them - probably didn't explain it very well! 

[andy and deb]

just put a tyre in the run with some dirt in it for a bath and mulch or bark chippings for them to scratch about in , pick dandelions from around the street I,m sure there are plenty ...grass isn,t necessarily needed ... just some greens for them to munch on

[ReviLonai]

Thanks to all who replied. Much appreciated and I reckon I'll give it a go!!
Looking forward to some fresh eggs and female company!!

[Lbrook21]

I have planted pots with greens and then put them in a mesh cage. They can peck the greens through the mesh but can't dig the plants up. They seem to love it.

[OpiumEater]

I've got wild strawberries and perpetual spinach under wire shopping baskets, they love standing on them and pecking through. Not the nicest looking cloche I grant you, but it takes their weight.

You'll love it, they are so much fun.

Good luck

Christine

[terri]

thats a realy good idea with the mesh over the pots so they can peck and not destroy ,might try that one 

[SoniaBA]

That is a very good idea! Will have to pinch it too