[GillC]

As I write this, my husband is putting in a retaining wall in a particularly alpine bit of the garden, so that there will be a level bit for the coop and its integral run.  (also the retaining wall goes about 3' into the ground on one side, which should fox any foxes!) I plan to fence off a bigger bit of land around the coop, so that the hens can think they are free ranging but not run the danger of falling in the pond etc (but that would only be safe when we are at home).  Where the coop and run stand will have wire mesh 9'' or so underneath the surface.  My question is:  we do not have room to move the coop much, if at all.  The garden is not very big at all.  I have read dire warnings about land becoming stale, infested etc.  We will only have 3/4 hens.  What can I do to keep things safe and clean?  I am irrationally excited about the whole enterprise and would really appreciate some advice.

[poultrygeist]

Hi Gill and welcome 

You'll be extremely popular if you post photos 

What sort of area are you planning to give them ?
And will it be initially lawn with good drainage ?
If the area's big enough, you may get away with minimal effort.

Rob