Bordem busters and all that for new run - ideas?

[alinas2010]

A little background: we have 4 - 21 week old girls, just a small back yard flock in Wyoming. They currently get to “free range” in our backyard because we’re stupid and bought them a TSC prefab that lo and behold; isn’t big enough to compensate, they spend all day out and about in our yard and basically only lay and sleep in the coop. We got them a shed, converting it to a coop currently and built a large connected run. It’s a lot for 4 hens, I don’t know how they will react to the change.

The run is barebones, no landscaping even yet. To help transition them, I’m going to start letting them into the new run a couple hours a day, but need some bordem busting ideas. I’m afraid of how much they’ll hate it after having the whole back yard. They’re going from flower beds to mess up, flower pots to hop into and ruin, plush grass to kick around, a fence to roost on (and hop ). Now they’ll have a dirt run, it’s plenty big, but just dirt. Honestly, any run suggestions would be helpful here, not just hentertainmemt. Side note, the run will be a lot more predator proof, I’m working on it more this weekend.

 

[alinas2010]

A different angle

 

[rosemarythyme]

The definitive article on clutter: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Don't know what your plans are for litter but if you're using any form of organic material, just pile it and let the chickens disperse it for you, it'll keep them busy for hours.

Since you specifically mention they like wrecking pots of soil, those would be easy to add in as well.

 

[alinas2010]

The definitive article on clutter: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Don't know what your plans are for litter but if you're using any form of organic material, just pile it and let the chickens disperse it for you, it'll keep them busy for hours.

Since you specifically mention they like wrecking pots of soil, those would be easy to add in as well.

I love it, thank you. The things we do for these little flower pot wreckers ive got to try to source some junk now. Should be pretty easy….

 

[rosemarythyme]

I love it, thank you. The things we do for these little flower pot wreckers ive got to try to source some junk now. Should be pretty easy….

My run is partially filled with junk I found on the property as well as what people set out for free on the curb.

Was sorely tempted to grab a toddler's kitchenette play set the other day, but alas I couldn't figure out what exactly the chickens would do with it since it was so tiny.

 

[alinas2010]

My run is partially filled with junk I found on the property as well as what people set out for free on the curb.

Was sorely tempted to grab a toddler's kitchenette play set the other day, but alas I couldn't figure out what exactly the chickens would do with it since it was so tiny.

Toddler Toys For chickens

I’m putting that one on my list! They are indeed like toddlers, after all. That’s my mission this weekend is to get chickentopia situated. Thanks for your reply and suggestions, they were immensely helpful.

 

[Snooks2u]

A little background: we have 4 - 21 week old girls, just a small back yard flock in Wyoming. They currently get to “free range” in our backyard because we’re stupid and bought them a TSC prefab that lo and behold; isn’t big enough to compensate, they spend all day out and about in our yard and basically only lay and sleep in the coop. We got them a shed, converting it to a coop currently and built a large connected run. It’s a lot for 4 hens, I don’t know how they will react to the change.

The run is barebones, no landscaping even yet. To help transition them, I’m going to start letting them into the new run a couple hours a day, but need some bordem busting ideas. I’m afraid of how much they’ll hate it after having the whole back yard. They’re going from flower beds to mess up, flower pots to hop into and ruin, plush grass to kick around, a fence to roost on (and hop ). Now they’ll have a dirt run, it’s plenty big, but just dirt. Honestly, any run suggestions would be helpful here, not just hentertainmemt. Side note, the run will be a lot more predator proof, I’m working on it more this weekend.

I added a swing and they love it. I was walking on the American River and noticed a 7' limb 4" round, carried 2 miles (so dumb). Put it up, hanging it from the rafters, and they love it. There is nothing more satisfying to see 4-6 of them all in a row just swinging away. I think any perch is fun for chickens to just hang out on. I also have large stumps they jump on and just stand around. good luck.

 

[alinas2010]

I added a swing and they love it. I was walking on the American River and noticed a 7' limb 4" round, carried 2 miles (so dumb). Put it up, hanging it from the rafters, and they love it. There is nothing more satisfying to see 4-6 of them all in a row just swinging away. I think any perch is fun for chickens to just hang out on. I also have large stumps they jump on and just stand around. good luck.

Lol @ dragging a huge hunk of tree that far. Again, the things we do for our lovely little birds I keep seeing swings people make for their chickens, I think now I am sold on getting them one. I would love to see pics of yours!

Now the question is do I want to use a large branch, a board or do a circle swing and use an old dirt bike tire?

 

[Snooks2u]

Lol @ dragging a huge hunk of tree that far. Again, the things we do for our lovely little birds I keep seeing swings people make for their chickens, I think now I am sold on getting them one. I would love to see pics of yours!

Now the question is do I want to use a large branch, a board or do a circle swing and use an old dirt bike tire?

I would use a branch (at least 2" in diameter), wood like eucalyptus, manzanita, oak, or maple. You cannot go wrong.

 

[alinas2010]

We’re off to a good start. And of course they’re so helpful