Bored chickens ?

[mebuff daisy]

My flock has a pecking problems, I know why they peck - boredom, Does anyone have any boredom busters ?

 

[mebuff daisy]

Anyone ?

 

[teach1rusl]

Consider adding additional run space in the spring...

Branches, stumps, old wooden ladders, almost anything for them to hop up on or run around are good things to have in the run. Hang a cabbage head in the run (I use a bent up coat hanger so spear/hang the cabbage).

In the coop, add roosts if you have pecking issues.

And of course make sure they have plenty of high protein feed available all of the time....

 

[Mrs. K]

What does your run look like? So many runs on here are just an open space. Add some pallets, leaned up against a wall, set up of blocks so that birds can get under or on top of, it will make your run more cluttered, but it gives both hideouts, and actually increases your square footage available. Birds can get away from each other. Add some roosts in the run. Mine tend to sit on them during the early morning or late afternoon and sun themselves. Jumping up on these, flying up to roost also makes your birds more athletic, and exercise is good for them.

I know you said there is enough space, but if these ideas don't help, it may very be that they are too crowded in the late fall going into winter, birds are closer together due to the short days, and weather. Often times what was enough space in the summer is not enough space in the winter.

Mrs K

 

[mebuff daisy]

Thank to all who posted

Is there such a thing as a chicken toy ? that I could make ?

 

[mebuff daisy]

Anyone ?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/newsearch?search=chicken+entertainment

These are some great threads on keeping chickens entertained

 

[mymilliefleur]

A dust bath is also something that will help with boredom. It will be beneficial for them too.
And if you can provide them, grass and veggies will be good for them too.

Hope this helps.

 

[aart]

My flock has a pecking problems, I know why they peck - boredom, Does anyone have any boredom busters ?

Is it boredom??.....or too little space?..... too little animal protein?....too many roosters?.......improper integration?......other stressors?
Those are the first things to address.

They also peck because that's how they communicate.....
.......so what kind of pecking are you talking about?.... a peckpeck here and a peckpeck there?.....or an all out pin 'em down and peck until they bleed pecking?

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

We had some limbs fall last weekend, due to the early snowstorm. They still had their leaves. I was looking at the big one in the driveway. I was able to drag it back to the run myself. The flock loves it. They are eating the leaves, hopping up on the branches, hiding under the leaves. I just look around for things they might enjoy!

An old rotted hunk of wood full of grubs

Grass trimmings

Head of cabbage..I just toss it in and they roll it around eating it

Egg shells to peck at

Garden trimmings