Do chickens play with toys?....

[Red]

We have mirrors in our girls' coop as well, and every now and then you'll see Penny-hen posing in front of it

They like having a lettuce head tied to the coop roof, too, and a cabbage heard rolling around on the floor gives them something to do.

We gave them a radio a while back and for the first week or so they seemed to really enjoy it, and went crazy for the Beatles 'Yellow Submarine' They got bored after a while though

We also gave them a football which every now and then someone will headbutt or jump on

 

[redhen]

LOL....very funny guys!.....i am gonna get them some toys and mirrors and cat balls..what good ideas!..thanks!

...everyone else..keep them coming...i think its a good idea for new chicken owners to read this, because i think giving them "something" to occupy them is important....it seems they may be fairly smart..so they need stimulation of some sort...thanks..Wendy

 

[CarriBrown]

It sounds like Gracie and Penny are vain girls!

They are beautiful and they KNOW it!

 

[pixiechick]

From what I've seen, any new object holds their attention for a little while. Yesterday, they took turns knocking around a red dixie cup that I brought their food out in. They seemed to like the sound it made when they pecked it. I also left the pink tupperware box they used as a brooder turned on its side in their coop, and sometimes I catch them all in there holding club meetings.

 

[redhen]

lol...like..can u believe what "so and so"..did last night?...my god!..she has no class!..lol..yeah....i can picture it...

....Wendy

 

[redhen]

ok guys....i want more ideas......pleeezzze!

..Wendy

 

[sweetshoplady]

Stuff for them to climb on, go under, around and through. My chickens play follow the leader going around trees, over little hills, tree roots, stand on boxes, tree branches.

 

[Chez Poulet]

Cat whiffle balls seem to be fun for them, also the crinkly kind of cat toy balls that are really shiny are popular. A plastic mirror is usually utilized for preening in front of. Not all use the mirror, it's usually the same ones that noticed themselves as little chicks. And those who noticed early on were the most unique of the group like the single WC Black Polish and the all yellow Aracauna. Anything new is exciting to investigate, so rotate new objects occasionally. I'm really careful about giving them anything they could rip up and injest that wouldn't be good for them.

One of my underdeveloped Red Caps had to be isolated and she was so distraught for want of company. She wouldn't quiet down unless I held her. She stopped screaming when I put in a hanging stainless mirror in the cage. She cuddles it when she goes to sleep and pecks it to say hi during the day.

I think I'm going to get a larger type of toy that has holes in it to stuff raisins or fruit pieces into, but only as long as their beaks can't get stock into the holes. All my girls are 5 1/2 weeks old now. I'm going to try the hanging lettuce heads and things like that when they're off their organic chick developer. I don't want to offset the balance of the nutrition from the prescribed food. Also, I have to use several toys or there is a mob over just one toy. Only a couple couldn't care less about mob mentality. They already act like sophisticated old ladies and don't 'play.'

I wonder if the'y like to run around in one of those little kid flexible tubes that looks like a fabric covered slinky?

 

[redhen]

ooh good ideas guys!!...thanks alot!..

...i have some of those crinkly cat balls....i'm gonna give them a try...and the cat tunnels..good idea!..so basically..it sounds like anything different i put in there they will check it out and be occupied with it....."Chez Poulet"...what a cute story about the red cap being lonely...and the mirror helping!...thanks so much!...thats why i asked this question...cause it seems like they are very social critters..(in the short time i've had them, i've noticed this)..so i think its important to keep them occupied..give them something new to checkout....make them work for a treat..it breaks up their day...and will also..hopefully, help prevent (somewhat)the pecking on others problem.(if they are occupied).so thanks guys for the ideas...any more will be great..thanks..wendy

 

[flock-mama]

I like to cook speggetti noodles and put them in one at a time, they play tug of war. Unsalted popcorn is fun to watch them eat. I confess, I sit in a chair and watch my chickens alot!!! I also have a large tree stump the like to jump on and perch, its like they are practicing jumping, flying, and balance.