How I Entertained My Bored Chickens Today

[3KillerBs]

Ugh Avian flu. That's scary and stressful for everyone I'm sure. I bet they are really enjoying the mulch though!

My gals went outside yesterday for the first time in 9 days, but that was their choice. They only have 5 sq feet per bird I'd been opening the pop door but they are too good for the snow! My guineas are around 8-9 months old, and their reactions to seeing the snow was just too cute. They were craning their necks to look at it and making these soft confused cheeping sounds. Twice now I've came home to a rooster with a bloody waddle, so I think the boys are feeling the stress more than anyone (I have three roosters).

I bought some lettuce for treats yesterday, and had been giving them some soaked grains and random tidbits here and there to keep them busy. I don't usually give treats but I feel bad they've been so bored.

Unfortunately I didn't get the lid to my water dispenser tightened all the way on Wednesday and it leaked 3 gallons of water... which is why I normally don't keep water in the coop. Temps are taking a nose dive but the current litter is already pushing six months old so I may just go ahead and clean the whole coop despite the coop.


Anyways that's my chicken bored rant in case you're interested lol

Have you tried giving them a straw bale with one tie cut so they can spend a few days tearing it apart?

 

[3KillerBs]

Wait, it’s been found in NC?!

https://www.ncagr.gov/paffairs/release/2022/HighPathAvianInfluenzadetectedinwildbirdinHydeCounty.htm

 

[The-White-Elephant]

https://www.ncagr.gov/paffairs/release/2022/HighPathAvianInfluenzadetectedinwildbirdinHydeCounty.htm

Oh man. I hope mine don’t get it.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Have you tried giving them a straw bale with one tie cut so they can spend a few days tearing it apart?

No but that is a wonderful idea! I know they'd love it. Thank you!

 

[3KillerBs]

Oh man. I hope mine don’t get it.

A different story had the recommendation to keep the birds locked down for 30 days while the migration passes. Since I have the space for it, that's what I've done.

 

[3KillerBs]

No but that is a wonderful idea! I know they'd love it. Thank you!

Mine just love that.

The local farm store gives away broken bales for free so that makes for both good entertainment and chicken-labor to spread the new bedding (I use straw when the pine straw runs out until the next shed or it's too wet to gather pine straw and/or haul wood chips -- I think a mix of materials is superior anyway).

 

[The-White-Elephant]

Mine just love that.

The local farm store gives away broken bales for free so that makes for both good entertainment and chicken-labor to spread the new bedding (I use straw when the pine straw runs out until the next shed or it's too wet to gather pine straw and/or haul wood chips -- I think a mix of materials is superior anyway).

Nice! What’s the store’s name?

 

[3KillerBs]

Nice! What’s the store’s name?

Carthage Farm Supply

They don't always *have* any, but when they do it's a "if you can load it you can have it" deal. We were told that sometimes people come with pitchforks and just fill up their pickup bed with the loose mess from the broken bales in the trailers.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Mine just love that.

The local farm store gives away broken bales for free so that makes for both good entertainment and chicken-labor to spread the new bedding (I use straw when the pine straw runs out until the next shed or it's too wet to gather pine straw and/or haul wood chips -- I think a mix of materials is superior anyway).

Actually now that you mention it, when I mulch my garden I often use straw. I can't keep the chickens away from the straw. They love making a mess of it. Seriously I don't know why I never thought of that. Thanks! I hope your quarantine period ends soon, for good!

 

[3KillerBs]

Actually now that you mention it, when I mulch my garden I often use straw. I can't keep the chickens away from the straw. They love making a mess of it. Seriously I don't know why I never thought of that. Thanks! I hope your quarantine period ends soon, for good!

Yet another reason to be glad I have over-sized facilities.