How do you keep your hens busy over the winter?

[Caleb999]

Hi there,
I'm just curious to see the different methods used to keep hens from getting bored over the winter moths.
Thanks

 

[Lozuufy]

Mine love when we toss them an old pumpkin or squash, keeps them busy for hours. They also love when we open a haybale in front of their coop and toss some corn kernels into it, that way they don't have to stand on the cold snow lol, my chickens refuse to step on snow.

 

[Chicken Girl1]

Mine love when we toss them an old pumpkin or squash, keeps them busy for hours. They also love when we open a haybale in front of their coop and toss some corn kernels into it, that way they don't have to stand on the cold snow lol, my chickens refuse to step on snow.

great advice!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

a handful of crickets thrown into the bedding on a snowy winter day is a good plan.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Crickets is a good entertainment item for sure. I think it would make them work for it a bit. I have not done that yet. May have to give it a go.

If you hang a head of cabbage in the coop they will fill up on it and may throw the balance out of whack.
I hang an apple instead these days. A portion of a head of cabbage will fit in a suet feeder and can be hung in the coop too as can broccoli and other snacks. Kind of like chicken tether ball lol.
Mine have had a fun time eating pumpkin but again they do tend to fill up on it. If you have a small number of chickens be careful how much they get of the treat things. (experience talkin there)

I did put a kiddie pool of dirt in the coop for dust bathing but they hated it. Not sure if it was the pool itself or the dirt choice. May have to try it again with peet moss.

 

[Peeps61]

The crickets sound like a good idea. Plenty of protein! Mine spot a cricket in the grass, and it's a gonner!

 

[aart]

I sprout some oats or wheat and let it grow for 4-5-6 days and give them that of an afternoon.

 

[Lozuufy]

mine love sprouted sunflower seeds and field peas as well