My girls seem bored in their run. Suggestions?

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OH, I like this idea! Thank you!

In the fall, we've got lots of leaves falling from the trees, so I will throw some into the run, and the chickens enjoy scratching around in them.

I also have some very thick, natural tree branches that I put in there that they can roost on. They like that too.

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Ok, I have used and love all of the other suggestions made for my birds---hay flakes and bales, lettuce, flock block, but I haven't tried this one Is this one of those dog balls that they have to roll to get treats out of or where did you find it? I have got to get one!

This year I put large planted flower pots (20-24 inches) in the run to act as a screen when I introduced the new pullets in with the girls. Worked great. They also loved to snack on the plantings. The girls turned two of the pots in to dust bath stations once they ate the contents. I mention this, srfjeld, because you said that you were going to switch to pebbles so I am thinking you want to have one area they can still use as a dust bath.

Aside from treats, I like to make sure there are some "features" to the run. I have an 8 foot roost which they enjoy getting up on, a piece of picket fence, a small log, and a potted shrub (nandina, which is pretty hardy. they don't seem to eat it, though the root through its soil).

I also use some of the treat suggestions. I have a bird feeder block of mixed seeds which they pick at, and BOSS scattered about so they look for it throughout the day.

Mine are free range but they love their flock block- our local farm supply has them for around $10 (to heavy for me to drag in and out tho) and yes flies enjoy it- but so do the ducks and rabbits. They also love digging up my potted plants (grr) and then dust bathing -so maybe give them diffrent bath options (my tall 5 gallon? Pots seem to be the most popular and they share but don't think the small pots and window boxes weren't enjoyed). They like scratching thru fallen leaves. And climbing anything (lawn chairs wood pile etc). My husband is a contractor and one day brought home a set of stairs (don't ask why) but those are the best- they hop from step to step- if they are laying on the ground they roost on the edges and its always exciting when I lean it up Against something new. (something else you can duplicate).
They LOVE digging thru the bunny litter boxes (a big high side cat box filled with Timothy hay and carefresh)- that's another grr but you could duplicate it with whatever bedding you like. I was actually thinking of buying them their own bunny box since they love it so much.
Aside from their busy social life they spend a lot of time sun bathing/napping or harrassing me in the house- red is cleaning her feathers next to me right now.

Oh and chasing the sparrows/finches off is a fun game - I hung wild bird feeders around the yard and the chickens eat anything that the sparrows drop. And the hummingbirds are hilarious- you know how they investigate everything? when they dive bomb the chickens everyone hits the deck and then discusses it afterwards lol. I guess that's kinda mean but its hilarious for me and even still it breaks the monotiny of the day for the hens.

I'm new to poultry but with other animals- and I'm sure its the same- just keep things changing. Have a drawer of toys to rotate thru and my chickens are excited about ANYTHING new. For other animals I've used milk containers with stuff in them (with holes for food to drop out) jars. Cardboard boxes. Junk mail shredded. Etc. Almost you throw out can be repurposed as something of interest.

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Mine don't like the BOSS, either! They peck every other little seed in the mix but those.

Mine won't eat the boss either. Ha ha. Luckily everyone else likes them!!!

Oh AND - idk if this is possible in your situation BUT we have mint growing in a flower bed and that's everyones favorite napping spot. They haven't killed or even harmed the mint that I can tell and they smell so yummy when they come out of it!! Plus if there's a breeze it makes the house smell good!

I have several small tin cans with both ends removed that the girls will play "kick the can" with sometimes. I have several small plastic balls with "jingle bells" inside they peck at now and again. Besides that they likes bird cage toys when they were younger. Now and then they'll peck at the little bells on the toys. They go nuts for grass clippings and windfall fruit too.

So many good ideas! Mine free range alot, and when they're in the run I feel guilty. I have strewn a bunch of spent hay around the run, then I throw some scratch in it so they can dig around and look for it. I grew sunflowers this year, and I cut and dried the heads and hang them in the run. I'm big on hanging treats too, pears, and cukes. When they peck at it and it reminds me of kids going at a pinata. I also have lots of little water pans set up so they can take a nice foot soak, roosts and different stuff for them to hop on. Oh, yeah...a flock block too. I'll have to take it out and see if they re-discover it...
They got plenty of dust here...that's what the whole state is turning to anymore, (Texas) so lots of dust bathing going on, and I keep a radio playing quite a bit lately. I did it to hopefully scare off predators, but the chickens really seem to like it. Certain songs seem to make them really start making a racket, so I guess they either really like it, or really don't! lol
Just remember, they are chickens.

What do you all do for the winter? We let our chickens out of the run during the day and then put them back in the run after a few hours and I put scratch in there for them. I have also used the block and have things for them to climb on and they take dust baths. What I am wondering about is if they mainly stay in the coop in the winter(what I have read on other posts) how do I keep them from getting board?

This is our first winter with having Chickens. We have a roof on the run and will have hay down on the floor of the run along with bails stacked to block wind and plastic to block snow and wind from coming in. We live in Michigan. Last winter we got down to -40 for days in a row so we are trying to make sure our girls our protected! But I don't want them board and turning on each other like I have also read in other posts.