Do chickens get bored? Do they need "stimulation?"

[scullybird]

Hey, all. Our 7 1/2 week old chicks have spent the last three nights out in their coop, and are doing great! It's a coop with attached, predator-proof run (5x9 feet) for our five standard sized hens.

My question: Do chickens get bored? Do they need some sort of "toys" or something? Every animal I've ever owned has need stimulation of some kind--dogs, cats, parakeets, etc. I've never had barnyard critters before. Do chickens get bored?

Ours seem fine... they go in and out of the coop as they like, spend the day scratching-eating-drinking-finding worms-chasing flies-etc. I toss some scratch into the run daily, and they have grit in a dish, as well as food and water. they have a variety of roosts at different heights. When they're bigger, they'll go out of the run and into our big yard several days a week when I'm home to monitor.

Are there things I can do to stimulate them, or are they just fine doing what they're doing?

Thanks!

 

[gritsar]

Are your chicks successfully mixing with your adult hens or do you still have them segregated in the coop?
If they are mixing with the hens I don't see any reason they couldn't go out in the run and scratch, hunt and peck just like the big girls do.
Some folks hang cabbage and brocolli for the chickens to peck at. You can also throw some scratch on the floor of the coop. They'll have fun hunting for it and it's a great way to get your shavings stirred up without having to do it yourself. Turn some crickets loose in the coop and watch the show.
I don't provide stimulation for my chickens. They free range and find plenty of mischief to get into all by themselves.

 

[scullybird]

Thanks, gritsar.

I have no older hens... these are our first birds.

I love the idea of giving them some crickets! That'd be entertaining for us, for sure. And, in the winter when there's snow, it could give them a thrill if they're confined for a couple days.

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
They dont really need stimulation in the psychological sense. But they are active creatures and they need some outlet. The hanging greens is a good idea and scratch grain thrown into the litter and mulch of the run is also good.
But I'd say that if you did no more than you already are - they will be fine.