how to occupy my bored chickens?

[donrae]

I agree with the above post, too many pictures of empty runs. a old shovel handle can be placed across a corner, and wedged into the wire fence. An old branch or your old Christmas tree can create perches, and hide outs. While you might think of it making the run smaller, it actually increases square footage, as it provides multi levels.

We just pulled out our tree from 2011 that's been there a year and put in the "new" 2012 tree! The birds love it, we prop it up in the corner for a while then tip it over so it's layin on it's side. It's just something else to look at and mess with for them.

 

[chickenkeeper12]

What I do is I get a 25 pound pecking bar for the the chickens to peck at. It has all different grains in it. I also have perches in the corners and I'm thinking of making a little playground for them. I got the idea from my local nature center. There chickens love it and are on it constantly.

 

[Stewzoo]

I take a pumpkin and cut a 6 inch in diameter hole off the side wall of it and let them hollow it out. The next day I retrieve it and fill it with goodies. Since it is winter I mix up canned cat food, oatmeal, cracked corn, sunflower seeds, scratch grains or any combination of the above mentioned and pack it in there. It takes them the whole day to clean it back out. I keep reusing the pumpkin shell until it isn't strong enough to use anymore. They love this!

 

[Stewzoo]

My girls received a seedblock from Santa . Its been so cold I thought it would keep them busy inside. They have shown some interest but aren't crazy about it. Of course they are spoiled and probably holding out for something better.

I have had this issue too. I found that if I sprinkled cracked corn on it daily....they eventually figured out the block was for eating too.

 

[Nutcase]

I may try the seedblock - the ones for canaries/budgies are okay to use right?

 

[WestVermont]

That maybe a bit small.... the one I've seen is about a foot by a foot. You can always try a few things and see what best fits your flock.

 

[Nutcase]

Well I only have four chickens.

 

[WestVermont]

In that case one like I've seen would take forever to peck at... I have 26 and I would not expect it to last more then a few days as my chickens eat like crazy and have an endless supply of feed but love their treats be it greens or table scraps or scratch.

 

[Kristin Brown]

I've seen the seed blocks at the feed store in the past. Every time I think to myself I'd like to get me one of them! However, it just dawned on me recently that it may attract mice. Raising our feeder off the ground eliminated our previous mice problem. I'm afraid a seed block may be an invitation for them to come back. What do you all think?

 

[cyw iar]

I have one in the run right now (the big 12"x12" flock blocks). It's the second one in three months, for seven birds. So far, I haven't noticed any increase in mice, but it is outside rather than in the coop. The hens really enjoy it.

For the first one I gave them, I had to chip off a little bit to get them started. The second one they attacked as soon as it hit the ground!