Brooder toys for baby chicks?

[gtaus]

...Here's some enrichment ideas that I provide for my chicks:

• shallow container (or cake pan) filled with sand or untreated potting soil for dust baths
• mirror for chicks to admire themselves
• After chicks are 2 weeks old, I put in a chunk of sod from outside to help chicks start building immunities to their future environment. They love scratching a dirt clod and nibbling the grass.
• Short visits outside to the grass are also fun on sunny days.
• a sturdy perch made from scrap wood or branches
  
• A tunnel or something to hide under, maybe a box. My chicks are now off heat but they still like to nestle under the heating pad cave.

I also raise the food and water containers on a platform or bricks to try and keep the water cleaner, and feed from being scratched out. I also added some chick-sized grit to the dust bath, they enjoy sorting through it. With grit available, 2 week old chicks can start having a very small amount of nutritious treats, like scrambled egg or mealworms.

Lots of good suggestions, thanks. I have a small pen for them to bring outside when it gets warmer. I think they will like that. Had not thought about a small box, but certainly have those around the house. I can make a small dust bath for them, that would be easy.

 

[gtaus]

Stumps, mirror, swing, Dust bath, Roosts at different levels.

Thanks for the idea of the stump. I could make one easily as I live on 3 acres of wooded lot.

As to the swing, do the chickens really like those swings? I have seen the swings on YouTube videos, BUT never with a chicken on them! One guy said his hens never use the swings he made.

 

[chickens really]

Kind of like people, I guess.

I guess so...My young birds love it but I think the older the bird the interest is gone plus too heavy maybe and don't like the swing anymore?

 

[gtaus]

..nipple waterers...And you have clean water all the time with these.

I have been thinking about making a nipple waterer out of a 5 gallon bucket, but I might go with the horizontal nipples instead of the vertical nipples. Either way, I really like the idea of always having clean water. For now, I am just using my old screw on jar waterers which I have had for years.

 

[6chickiepoos]

Chicks LOVE mirrors! And the adults do too. I have mirrors in all my brooders and coops.

HA! On a hunch, I placed a compact mirror on the edge of the brooder, and you aren't kidding! They love it. My 2 Buff Orps literally sit in front of it.. I love it

 

[Willowspirit]

I forgot to say i think they like distractions. If they are too bored, they pick at each other.

 

[gtaus]

I forgot to say i think they like distractions. If they are too bored, they pick at each other.

Yes, I want to try to prevent those negative behaviors. My chicks are in a brooder in our attached garage and don't get real direct sunlight. On a warmer day, I do lift the garage doors and they get real light and fresh air. But it's not like they are running outside with a mama hen taking care of them.

 

[chickens really]

I'll see if my wife can donate a mirror to the chicks. Unfortunately, my wife likes mirrors too.... Maybe a trip to the Dollar Store would be a better option!

Definitely where I get mine from...

 

[gtaus]

Be sure to give them some grit before you give them treats. A little canned cat food, and/or a few mealworms at 4 - 6 weeks is fine, just don't overdo it.

Thanks. I am giving the baby chicks sand as grit, and will switch to #2 grit when they get older. I live on a lake, so I have lots of sand.

 

[gtaus]

I guess so...My young birds love it but I think the older the bird the interest is gone plus too heavy maybe and don't like the swing anymore?

Again, sounds like most people I know, myself included.