Chicken run decor

[MommyGirl]

Setting up coop and run. Looking for ideas of things to put in their run for things for the chickens to do so they don't get bored and really just different element of things so it's not so blah in there. Would like to know what others do to kinda decorate? Lol

 

[CHlCKEN]

Setting up coop and run. Looking for ideas of things to put in their run for things for the chickens to do so they don't get bored and really just different element of things so it's not so blah in there. Would like to know what others do to kinda decorate? Lol

I’m doing the same thing! Try some Pinterest ideas. Colorful dust baths and unique touches like signs or hanging flower beds

 

[SueT]

Branches! Collect various configurations of branches, keep swapping them out for new ones. They'll love it....

 

[MommyGirl]

Pretty much got the coop done. Working on the run. I got some bamboo that I stuck through the fence for some perches and I was thing of using some of these giant rocks for them to sit on or climb around

 

[SueT]

They'll love the rocks. And you could periodically roll the rocks to reveal bugs underneath!

 

[Mayakovsky]

i built a sandbox that was elevated about two feet....next to that is a roosting branch....they love collecting on that at times - for baths - or to get a better view of the rest of the yard.....I also planted grape vines on two sides of the run - to soften the landscape a bit, provide shade - and some grapes for the birds....a third side of the run borders a vegetable garden....think of dual purpose things - a concrete bench, for example - for human visitors as well as for birds to hide under/behind...

 

[MommyGirl]

Do any of you plant anything in run? Like for shade or will the chickens destroy it. I really need more shade for them too. What to do for more shade? I'm using shade cloth that blocks 70 percent but still worried they may get to hot. Really hot here in Georgia. Don't think I will have to worry in the winter lol

 

[aart]

I'm not a 'decorator' but have things in the run for diversion and 'enrichment'...
....and especially 'hiding places' when integrating new chicks.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Everything is either up off the ground or portable for winter and to switch things up on occasion.
Have done grazing frames in the past...but they don't work too well with the wood chippings I now use as run bedding

Have shade cloths and grow sunchokes outside the run to provide shade.

Not like Georgia but gets pretty hot and humid here.
To help cool down the coop I also have a box fan in the east window of coop, where it's shady most the day, and turn it on late afternoon...blows cooler air into coop and pushes hot air out.

To determine heat stress levels I go by activity level, if panting and wing holding seems extreme, I throw out a few treats to see if everyone is moving well.

Deep all day shade is best but....I don't have much of that.
This has worked very well to keep heat stress/stroke at bay:

I give a dose of Sav-a-Chick electrolytes/vitamins about once a week during heat waves.
It really seems to help....started this after they saved a heat stroked hen once.
Can mix up a smaller amount, just wrap the packet tight and store in a dry cool place.
Always have plain water available too.

BIG(9x14x2") chunks of ice last all day for wading, sitting, and sipping.
Much more useful to the chickens than frozen foods and treats.

Make space in your freezer!

 

[MommyGirl]

I'm not a 'decorator' but have things in the run for diversion and 'enrichment'...
....and especially 'hiding places' when integrating new chicks.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Everything is either up off the ground or portable for winter and to switch things up on occasion.
Have done grazing frames in the past...but they don't work too well with the wood chippings I now use as run bedding

Have shade cloths and grow sunchokes outside the run to provide shade.

Not like Georgia but gets pretty hot and humid here.
To help cool down the coop I also have a box fan in the east window of coop, where it's shady most the day, and turn it on late afternoon...blows cooler air into coop and pushes hot air out.

To determine heat stress levels I go by activity level, if panting and wing holding seems extreme, I throw out a few treats to see if everyone is moving well.

Deep all day shade is best but....I don't have much of that.
This has worked very well to keep heat stress/stroke at bay:

I give a dose of Sav-a-Chick electrolytes/vitamins about once a week during heat waves.
It really seems to help....started this after they saved a heat stroked hen once.
Can mix up a smaller amount, just wrap the packet tight and store in a dry cool place.
Always have plain water available too.

BIG(9x14x2") chunks of ice last all day for wading, sitting, and sipping.
Much more useful to the chickens than frozen foods and treats.

Make space in your freezer!

Thanks a lot for the advice. Been really hot and humid lately. This is my first time with chickens. Really been worrying about this heat. They are just babies right now. I don't have any shade in the afternoons except for the shade cloth. Been wondering if that is gonna be enough. But I'm pretty sure I need something else too

 

[aart]

I don't have any shade in the afternoons

Same here, the late day sun is brutal until it drops behind distant trees.
Why I put the one cloth up on the coop itself.