Creative Options to Keep Girls Occupied

[Mrs. K]

I too have multiple perches in my run. Also add some hideout, where a bird can get out of sight of the others for a while. Leaning a pallet against the wall, or putting one up on blocks help.

Mrs K

 

[KayStone]

If mine need something to do....I get them a fresh head of cabbage and just toss it in the run. They love pecking it to bits, and will usually peck it all gone in 2 days.

I had heard that chickens liked cabbage but didn't realize how much. Thank you for your idea!

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

Oh, in the wintertime, when it is cold and bugs are hiding...I pull out the saved huge sunflower heads that I had grown in the garden. Just toss it in the run, so they can peck the seeds out. They get some protein, and some entertainment. And the dried sunflower heads don't freeze up.

 

[KayStone]

Oh, in the wintertime, when it is cold and bugs are hiding...I pull out the saved huge sunflower heads that I had grown in the garden. Just toss it in the run, so they can peck the seeds out. They get some protein, and some entertainment. And the dried sunflower heads don't freeze up.

Another excellent suggestion. Thank you!

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

I like to see happy contented chickens. Sometimes, if I am lucky during yard work or gardening, I find a frog or lizard to toss in the run for "chicken football". Or, a pile of fresh fallen limbs with leaves still attached. A big ol' pile of leaves works too. They jump right in and start digging and scratching.

 

[Fancychooklady]

When pumpkin are in season put a whole one in the pen. You can smash it up a bit with a log splitter or sledge hammer. Keeps them busy for days. I also put a bale of hay in for them to climb over .

 

[allpeepedout]

Get a bale of nice leafy alfalfa hay and give them a flake a day. They'll have fun tearing it up and eat the leaves for greens and protein.

 

[KayStone]

When pumpkin are in season put a whole one in the pen. You can smash it up a bit with a log splitter or sledge hammer. Keeps them busy for days. I also put a bale of hay in for them to climb over .

I love these ideas. Thank you so much for sharing them The last thing I want is bored, unhappy chickens who start turning on each other because they have nothing better to do. Busy hands are happy hands. Thank you again.

 

[KayStone]

I too have multiple perches in my run. Also add some hideout, where a bird can get out of sight of the others for a while. Leaning a pallet against the wall, or putting one up on blocks help.

Mrs K

Thank you, Mrs. K. I hadn't thought of a 'hideout'...I do need that. One of the ladies is a little more aggressive than the other two and I imagine it would be wonderful for the two quieter birds to have some place to go to get a break from her. Thank you for your suggestions. Very helpful.

 

[KayStone]

Get a bale of nice leafy alfalfa hay and give them a flake a day. They'll have fun tearing it up and eat the leaves for greens and protein.

I would have never thought of hay....don't know why, lol. Thank you!