Wrecking the garden

[Kylajj]

Hey fellow chicken friends.
So I have 4 rescue chickens. I have built a run with a brand spanking lovely coop and run 16 foot by 6. Wood chips.
In my last house I had a run nearly 5 times that size but still allowed the girls in the garden for some further interest. I done the same here with letting the girls out for a few hours a day. But with a much smaller garden now and with what used to be a flower border., the girls have had a ball on and off for 2 months and my garden is no more... My fault entirely. So I have made the decision to not allow them in the garden anymore. I feel really mean but it's my front garden and is starting to make the place look shabby.
Can anyone advise to how I keep them interested and happy in the run? And would it be unfair not to let them out now that they have had a taste of it? These girls were ex bat too.
Thanks for any advice
Kyla

 

[WIchickMama]

Are you able to fence off an area in your yard, giving them a break from the run?

I have mine in a run all day and they seem to be ok. I grow fodder so then I take trays in for them to eat and dig up.

I recently put mulch down in half the run. They love digging and laying in it. Also I noticed the grass has started to grow back underneath so if they dig deep enough they will get some fresh grass.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

I have a garden area that I allow my birds in. The other garden areas are fenced off if I have something there that I don't want destroyed. Once they are let out of the run, they pretty much go back just for water.
Maybe fence off a section where they can go and move it every other day so that they don't destroy the grass or garden area.

 

[Kylajj]

Are you able to fence off an area in your yard, giving them a break from the run?

I have mine in a run all day and they seem to be ok. I grow fodder so then I take trays in for them to eat and dig up.

I recently put mulch down in half the run. They love digging and laying in it. Also I noticed the grass has started to grow back underneath so if they dig deep enough they will get some fresh grass.

Thank you. They do enjoy a good dig. The wood chips are Deep. And they scratch big holes. Thankfully there is a little tree in the middle so maybe I can hang some cabbage or sweetcorn for them to peck at.
My garden is very small to the front and I have to be really careful as it is 'was' a pretty cottage garden and lots of fences will make it look horrid. I already have picket fences around their enclosure as I also have dogs which are Not chicken friendly. So have gates up to keep them out so if I'm not careful it's going to look just too much if I put more fences up. I'm just a sucker for letting them free range especially as they have had such a horrible life so far.