Keeping Chickens from getting bored

[Outdoorlover]

Today while visiting my pullets, I noticed the empty space in the coop and wondered if there might be something I could add to it, that gives the chickens something to do

I've seen people putting xylophones, and I like that idea, is there anything else I could add?

 

[christwodog]

Mine always like the "cabbage on a rope". I fastened a rope to the roof and tied an eyebolt to the end, then you just screw it into the core of a cabbage head. It swings around as they peck it, they can play chicken tether ball. Very entertaining to watch, plus cabbage is good for them and it can last a couple days depending on how many chickens you have.

 

[Outdoorlover]

That sounds like fun! Thank you!

 

[Mrs. K]

Piles of old hay, I make mini hay stacks, and they tear them apart, pallets on blocks to get up and under.

 

[Outdoorlover]

Thank you for sharing!

 

[centrarchid]

Place treats in the form of BOSS, shelled-corn, meal worms on logs cut and placed to look like stools. Birds will invest a lot of time getting up and down looking for the eats. Mixing similar treats in the hay approach mentioned above would also stimulate more brain and physical activity.

 

[Outdoorlover]

Thank you!

 

[toomuch]

I let my free range in the afternoon and they never seem bored.

 

[Runt of the Flock]

i do the whole "wrecking ball" cabbage head.
here's my article, https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/bored-birds.1215815/#post-19403423

 

[Blooie]

I hung suet cages. Extra fat and protein for the winter and they gathered around them, enthusiastically pecking at them. The wire cages swung a little bit and were hung so they had to work a bit to get anything out, so they were entertained as well as supplied what I wanted them to have. The shorter birds - the Silkies, for example - would scratch and peck in the litter for the little bits that broke off.