I found it necessary to fence out the hens from the veg patch;
otherwise they mistake the seedbed tilth for a purpose built dustbath
area :-(. But the good news is, that once you have the fence in place,
you can also pen them inside to clean up pests and weeds and scratch
over the soil surface, before you start.

Very easy veg to start with are potatoes (sounds mundane, but fresh
young potatoes straight from the soil taste quite unlike any from
shops); broad and runner beans, lettuce cabbage radish and herbs. If the
patch is warm and sunny, courgettes are easy too. The packets will tell
you what to do and when; it's much easier than you imagine. Buy seed
potatoes from a garden centre to get the healthiest stock, don't be
tempted to use supermarket leftovers. Rhubarb, blackcurrants and
strawberries are also very easy and are usually started from plants not
seed.

Start a compost heap now so that next year, you'll be able to fertilize
your veg patch naturally and build up its fertility year on year. Hen
pooh from their night coop is an excellent compost heap ingredient.

Janet.