I would have thought that the compost would need to stand for at least six months, I would not have thought there would be aproblem with the wood chips not being broken down yet. Good mulch!

I put my chicken house 'stuff' onto my empty beds at this time of the year and just leave it. By next spring it has broken down enough to plant into without any problems.

Like the idea of taking the hens down to the plot with you! Teach them to walk on a harness and lead!