Ideas for activities for run

[kmpage28]

Our chickies have a nice 10x12 fully fenced run. The run has a nice big perch which they enjoy. What else can I put in there to help give them things to do (beyond look for bugs) and keep them happy?

 

[evemfoster]

Put in a swing. A 3-4 inch diameter limb hung from ropes a few inches above the ground. 3-4 inches because that is the size they like for perches. When they get used to the swing you can raise it higher and put something in like a log on both sides for them to jump on and off the swing.

You can poke some small holes in a peanut butter jar and fill it with scratch. They will spend hours kicking it about trying to get some seeds to fall out. The holes have to be large enough for the biggest seeds to come out very slowly but small enough that the rest of the seed don't come out too fast. Start with tiny holes and gradually make them larger until you get the right size.

You can hang shinny objects in the run for them to peck at but you have to change them because they get tired of the same old thing in just a couple days. I have used old CDs, Christmas bells, wind chimes.....

Occasionally i wet the ground and put boards or buckets over the wet ground for a day or two, anything to keep them from getting to the wet ground. Then i move the stuff they hunt for bugs and worms and spend quit a long time scratching the soft ground.