Amen to the pool patch..family teases about alien crop circles (but love the pool in summer). Maybe we'll put up a trampoline for winter, fence it in and have an extra chicken run when trampoline not in use
My chickens have to stay in a covered run according to city code, but they don't seem to mind, get lots of kitchen and garden treats, lay great eggs regularly and are a ball to watch. The beagle finds them interesting, now knows not to get to close to fence. Has learned not to go into pen. Hope you get your chickens.