They will need some more shade in the summer so a mulberry tree could be the answer to that.
I had a rooster in Tassie and had to get rid of it because it was so agressive. The hens were happier when he was tossed over the fence into the forest to feed the wildlife and so was I. He was huge and used to give them a serve pounding them into the mud for 10 -20 seconds. They certainly didn't glow afterwards, they looked pretty fed up.
I haven't let them out yet because I wear welly boots when I go in the pen so the crap only sticks to them. It's like glue.
They've got about 36sqm each so they aren't too badly off but I will let them out eventually.
I haven't got another dog yet and the eagles are a worry but hopefully the chooks will hide in the shed or under it when/if they spot one.
