If you do decide to let them range, you will have to fence off your flower beds, veggie garden, and any other area of the yard you don’t want decimated.
An alternative that could work for you might be what is known as a chicken tractor. It is a coop that is designed to contain the chickens as well as giving them access to the ground underneath. The coop is designed to be moved to a fresh patch of ground every day, preventing them from destroying the turf as well as leaving behind the fertilizer they have scratched into your yard.
This would help solve your dog problem as well. Good luck with your “Orpies”, I’ve had them before and they are a great chicken. Good layers, good brooders, and a great meat bird. I’m strictly Barred Rock now however.
Yes on the chicken tractor.
I did tell dh that we’ll build or buy one for them in the spring.
May I ask why you went from Orpies to Barred Rocks ? Are there a lot of difference in the breeds as far as friendliness and laying capabilities ?