[ActionFlack]

Really? It shows as the right way up to me?
I'm hoping by giving them lots of space and moving them the grass won't be completely destroyed and will grow back during 'rest' periods...

[ANHBUC]

Still upside down on mine!   

[joyfull]

upside down on mine too 
If you are going to clip their wings then remember to do just one wing - so this year perhaps do the left wing and then after they moult and get new wing feathers do the right wing - this will keep their muscles balanced 

[ActionFlack]

Mmm. Maybe some Australian chickens would feel at home there then...
I hadn't thought about clipping alternate wings each year, but that makes perfect sense - thanks.

[ActionFlack]

I've just got my trusty tape measure out to measure the pen size for them to roam in and it's going to be 7m x 5.5m. Which should be plenty of space I think for 5 hens to play in (my coop size is for 5 hens)

[ANHBUC]

They should be really happy with that.  You can add things of interest for them on different levels, logs etc.  A place for them to shelter or hide from each other is good as well in case of bullying when they establish the pecking order.   

[ActionFlack]

I was thinking of a log pile or box with a ramp and have a large terracotta bowl that I was going to use as a dust bath. There's shelter from the trees on 2 sides for the evening sun and I'll make sure there's some shelter for them from the morning/midday sun

[ANHBUC]

Be careful of a log pile as it could slip and injure your birds.

[Sassy]

With regard to wing clipping you may find that it won't be necessary after the first year. They seem to settle down and become content with the area given. Mind you there is always one!!

[ActionFlack]

I can see them roosting in the trees already!
I have a lot of conkers dropped in the garden (from the tree, not some random conker dropping louts...) presumably there's no harm to the chickens if they try and eat any?

[ANHBUC]

I can see them roosting in the trees already!
I have a lot of conkers dropped in the garden (from the tree, not some random conker dropping louts...) presumably there's no harm to the chickens if they try and eat any?

There is a list on this LINK which says they are poisonous.  They also say hens usually avoid what is not good for them.  My hens will eat ivy as the new shoots come out so they obviously don't know!     It is the one thing in our garden we are having a problem controlling as we have 5 neighbours boundry fences which it is growing on/under/through.   

[ActionFlack]

That's a really handy list, thanks.
Maybe your neighbours could cut it back at their side? If they chop it off low down it should take a while to grow back...

[ANHBUC]

I think it is that established it would destroy some of the fences.  Have tried for the last 5 years with our next door neighbour but it has done no good.  We get on really well with him but he goes away in his caravan for weeks on end and it just grows back as strong as ever.

[ActionFlack]

It's a shame he couldn't replace it with a different climbing plant that would grow over the cut ivy and hold the fence together (and be chicken friendly!)

[ANHBUC]

As fast as we get rid of it the blackbirds reseed it.  Our soil is clay which makes it harder to dig out.  Just manage to keep it under control so that will have to do for now.  One neighbours fence (bottom of the garden) collapsed last year and he had to replace 5 panels due to the weight of the ivy.  He dug out the ivy at the same time which was a bonus.  Sure it will be back again soon though as he is not much of a gardener.

On the bright side it is great for nesting birds, the flowers are great for bees and the berries are good food for birds.