Boredum busters for hens that bully?

[Annalyse]

I need some entertainment things for the flock that bullies one specific hen. Were almsot done with there coop add on which should give them more space in the coop and they have a big run. After that were going to put netting around the top of there garden area so I dont have to worry about hawks and voulchers because they have been getting very close. But for now I need some entertainment for them so my one hen can stop hiding in the coop and acually come out and enjoy herself without getting chased.

 

[chickentrains]

Hiding places in the coop, for the bullied birds to hide in and feel safe

veggie kabobs

foraging toys (just amazon search "forage toys, some will pop up)

 

[Annalyse]

Hiding places in the coop, for the bullied birds to hide in and feel safe

veggie kabobs

foraging toys (just amazon search "forage toys, some will pop up)

Thank you. I really want her to come out so she can eat and drink. She is eating and drinking just most of the day is hiding and then she roosts early to avoid any mishaps.

 

[Mrs. K]

You need to add a lot of clutter to both the run and the coop. Saw horses, roosts, platforms that birds can get under or on top of, really helps make use of the vertical space. Giving birds more space.

And multiple feed stations set up so that a bird, eating at one station cannot see birds eating at the another station. I try and feed in 2 places for 6 birds, 3 spaces if I get up to a dozen.

Also you might try pin less peepers on the aggressive birds. They have really helped people in smaller set ups.

Mrs K

 

[Byrd gal]

Hang cabbage on a rope. Chicken tetherball.

 

[NatJ]

I don't know what you already have in your run, but maybe add something for the chickens to scratch through looking for stuff to eat. I'm thinking of compost, dirt, a bale of straw, clumps of sod, or something of the sort.

That's in addition to multiple feeders/waterers, and clutter so birds can get out of each other's sight, as others have already suggested.

 

[NatJ]

I really want her to come out so she can eat and drink. She is eating and drinking just most of the day is hiding and then she roosts early to avoid any mishaps.

You could divide the run, or put her in a dog crate in (or near) the run, so she can eat and drink and see the other birds, but they cannot pick on her. (And they can see her, so they remember that she is allowed to be here too!)

This is not a long-term solution, but could help the hen temporarily while you finish the expansion you are already working on.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I have a polish who is always bullied. I gave her her own coop and younger chicken friends.

 

[Annalyse]

I have a polish who is always bullied. I gave her her own coop and younger chicken friends.

I want to give her her own coop and friends but we dont have space for it and I'm afraid the ordinances might tell us no as I'm not sure my already flock are allowed. (The coop set up keeps getting bigger and bigger)haha. My plan was to add more silkies as it's just her in a standard flock but then they will pick on all silkie and I dont want to do that.

 

[Annalyse]

I don't know what you already have in your run, but maybe add something for the chickens to scratch through looking for stuff to eat. I'm thinking of compost, dirt, a bale of straw, clumps of sod, or something of the sort.

That's in addition to multiple feeders/waterers, and clutter so birds can get out of each other's sight, as others have already suggested.

During winter I had tons of hale bales and everything winter proofed but since we took everything put it seems to have gotten worse as it was more calm in the winter. So I think were going to add in the same stuff we had during winter and try to make it cooler for the summer hopefully.