Alleviating boredom in hens?

[DMJ1123]

I've tried a few things to alleviate what appears to be boredom in my six hens. They are confined to a run during the winter and they've resorted to pecking at each other. Nothing too serious though. They can only forage for so long. I have one of those treat balls that I fill with feed. They go through that pretty quickly. I've also tried those hanging treat cylinders but they plow through that in a matter of hours. I'm trying to find some way to keep them entertained for a longer term. Anyone have an success with a particular toy or homemade contraptions?

 

[Shadrach]

I've tried a few things to alleviate what appears to be boredom in my six hens. They are confined to a run during the winter and they've resorted to pecking at each other. Nothing too serious though. They can only forage for so long. I have one of those treat balls that I fill with feed. They go through that pretty quickly. I've also tried those hanging treat cylinders but they plow through that in a matter of hours. I'm trying to find some way to keep them entertained for a longer term. Anyone have an success with a particular toy or homemade contraptions?

I think you've got the answer in your question. Once a chicken has free ranged a run is a prison.
Is there a particular reason why you don't free range them during winter?

 

[DMJ1123]

Determined hawks in the area since this past summer. If I'm home and outside I can let them out. Even then the hawks are constantly circling around. My neighbors have both lost chickens lately.

 

[Ridgerunner]

They can only eat so much. To me the best boredom buster is more room. I have no idea how much room you now have or how hard it would be to add more room but that would be my first look. That room can be inside or outside as long as it is available.

Mine hate to wake up to a white world and usually avoid snow, at least for a few days. Mine really hate a cold wind hitting them, if a cold wind is blowing they are hiding from it. I don't know how usable your run is in your Massachusetts winter but is there something you can do to make it more usable?

You can sometimes improve the quality of your room by adding clutter. Giving them places to hide under, behind, or get over can help. But they may be telling you that they don't have enough room to start with.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I don't believe in using food as entertainment. Some simple additions: a pile of dried leaves or hay, anything they can climb on, go over, under, around, etc. Ridgerunner made a good point though, how much space do they have access to right now?

 

[aart]

To me the best boredom buster is more room

I don't believe in using food as entertainment.

Ditto Dos^^

Anyone have an success with a particular toy or homemade contraptions?

How many birds.... in how much space(feet by feet)?
Dimensions and pics would help immensely here.

This thread might give you some ideas:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/