Type of mulch to use around natural areas

[huntingpharmaci]

First of all I want to say that this forum and organization has been instrumental in getting started in urban chickens. I used this website to build my coop and start a flock last year. The resources here are amazing. Thank you.

Now to my dilemma. I enjoy landscaping as much as I do my chickens, but the chickens are starting to scratch around my natural areas kicking dirt into the yard. I wouldn't mind if it was a little, but I let chickens out everyday and they are taking over. I could always cut back their outdoor time, but don't want to do that. Can anyone recommend a mulch that would be hard for the chickens to kick around? Or any other solution that doesn't involve fences. The picture shows some mulch in the yard. But it has gotten worse. The nest and find worms in it.

 

[sunflour]

I think they will scratch at any organic mulch…and probably prefer any that is freshly placed.

Looks like the photo is a bath area. Why not pick a spot to let them have? Make it irresistible with bathing spot and pile of leaves and maybe they'll leave the other areas alone?

 

[Folly's place]

I mulch the planting beds and trees; the chickens rearrange everything! I add more mulch, so more rearranging; it goes on and on. The yard gets lots of good organic matter, and eventually the trees do have a layer of mulch. Mary

 

[sunflour]

I still think, give the chickens a pile….smooth flat the other areas…and bet ya they'll go for the piles!

 

[huntingpharmaci]

Thanks for the input. I have numerous piles for them. 2 compost piles which looks like tornado zones, a side garden area which is loaded with bathing areas. Anywhere I have mulch they mess it up. I guess I am going to have to accept it and constantly clean them up.

 

[candr01]

Honestly, the chickens are gonna do what they're gonna do, and that is scratch. There is nothing for it but to fence off either the chickens (like, in a tractor, or with a mobile fence system) or the garden to keep them apart.

Good luck! Cute kids, btw

 

[AkChris]

I haven't tried it myself but I've heard that those motion activated sprinklers meant to scare pests out of the garden work to keep chickens out of certain areas too.

 

[sunflour]

I haven't tried it myself but I've heard that those motion activated sprinklers meant to scare pests out of the garden work to keep chickens out of certain areas too.

Good idea in warmer weather?