how to keep chickens entertained

[frizzleman74]

i am a student, and i have 13 chickens and a nice run so im at school for the majority of the day. What can i do to entertain my chickens while i am gone and they cant free range. ANy ideas, thanks!

 

[faykokoWV]

I've heard of people hanging a head of cabbage. I'm always afraid my idiot chickens would get hung so I haven't tried it.

 

[LuvinMyPeeps]

My chickens love it when I give them leftovers, especially spaghetti! They love anything that looks like a worm LOL

 

[kla37]

In the winter I "hid" treats all over for them, including in holes in a log I have in their run. Also the cabbage and spreading scraps around.

 

[LuvinMyPeeps]

Quote:
What a cute idea!

 

[frizzleman74]

should i build a lot of roosts almost like another floor of the run with roosts or would that just be a waste of time and effort

 

[Gloria's Gang]

I have a roost built into each corner of my pen. I have extended my pen twice so there are a bunch of corners and angles. I just took a 2x4 and screwed into onto the middle brace which makes like a triangle. I also have three different feeders that get moved around. Two of them are just round ground feeders that I put low plastic patio tables over to keep the rain off. They love to get up on the tables and the roosts. They also have one regular waterer and a low ground feeder with water. This gives them some options and they never run out. I also made a "box" (frame) out of leftover 2x6's that I filled with nice sand for a dusting box. They always get our leftovers from the night before spread around. Each of my boys take turns throwing them a couple cups of scratch when they get home from school. They also enjoy watching people and animals come in the yard.

I think my chickens are spoiled. When I get home from work I go straight out to the coop and they get so excited.