What WON'T they scratch?

[JacksonPearce]

Our new house has a much more landscaped backyard than the old place-- nothing insanely precious, but some areas that we'd like to discourage the chickens from scratching in. We were thinking perhaps we'd go with river rocks that are on the larger side, so that they're not easy for the chickens to move-- maybe one inch pieces? Anyone had any luck with this, or any suggestions to offer? We're unable to fence these areas off easily, and like I said, it isn't the end of the world if they still walk there-- we just want to stop them from turning the ground under those plants over.

 

[igorsMistress]

I have mych larger rocks, some are 4 to 6 inches long and 3 to 4 inches wide. They move them although not if they're a few layers thick. If you go with 1 inch you might want to put in a THICK layer.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Think cobble. Big cobble.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobble_(geology)

http://www.riverviewstone.net/river-rocks/salt-and-pepper-cobblestones/

Other then that ....... If you put chicken wire on the ground and pin it in place around the no dig plants...... They cannot readily dig the ground. Covering with mulch gives as finished look.
It has discouraged mine from digging around my trees.