Do Chickens Get Bored?

[feathersnuggles]

A partially rotten tree stump or log is great, because of the insects and insect nests (with eggs) they can tear out of the decomposing wood.

I like to "grow" my own rotting stumps by leaving them around the yard, partially buried in dirt and under the trees. Then I pull one out and toss into the run when the girls need to be locked in for a while.

And occasionally they find it buried in the yard, and they dig ALL Around it to get the centipedes and things hiding in it.

 

[Jen71]

Oh wow. The decaying log sounds like fun for them. What a great idea!

My 5 week olds are in a playpen-type enclosure in our living room while we are away at work and school today. I added a large very shallow rectangular tupperware filled with wood shavings and lots of cool things for them to scratch around in - sesame seeds, flax seed, oatmeal, linseed, grit, etc. I also added a small ladder for them to practice roosting, a mirror, and a little ball.

Hopefully this will be interesting for them. It looks like a little chicken pre-school in there.

 

[chickenjones]

This post is just what I was looking for! I have 6 adult hens and 2 roos. We also have 6 pullets. They are three months old today! They are still separated from the adults right now. But we are slowly introducing them. They are in a smaller coop right now and I am sure they get bored while we are at work! When we get home we put them in the large chicken coop and let the big guys free range. I was wondering is cabbage ok to give to them at that age? I don't know a thing about chicken digestion but I know what cabbage can do to ours

If its not ok, then I am guessing all the seeds options are a good thing then?

 

[hearthnsoul]

bored chickens, bad thing,..they pick off eachothers feathers. I free range mine, so they are always busy, but I realize if I don't let them up with the sun rising,..feather picking starts.

 

[max101]

I throw mine straw in different places
I also throw in leaves off any tree
Just changing where there food bowls are is enough for my Pekin chooks to run around wondering what happened
Dont let them see you do though lol

Frozen corn on stick they also love along with watermelon
It takes them awhile to pin it down to eat

 

[NewEnglandChick]

After Halloween I take my old pumpkins (whole ones & carved ones),split them in half and put them in the girl's pen at night. By morning the pumpkins are picked clean!! Of course, that's a fairly seasonal treat!

 

[Jen71]

I love all these great ideas! Thanks.

I have been trying different things each day. My girls seem pretty happy, and at night, they're ready to come inside to sleep.

 

[NicolettesChick]

I give my chickens an old dish bucket, filled with some clean dirt. They love their personal tub for dirt baths! It's so funny, they actually stand in line, waiting their turn in the tub.

THis is a great idea, Thank you ! Maybe I can reduce the ruts all over my back yard.