Keeping flock busy

[Missy3b]

My flock is kept in a pen most of the time and I was wondering if anyone has ideas to keep them occupied. I have heard of putting a bale of straw in the pen to let them take it apart but I was also thinking of hanging treats just above their reach to keep them entertained.

Anyone else do anything to keep chickens busy?

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

anything round - like apples! or hang something that they can peck at...and yes straw or hay will keep them busy


i never thought that my job description would be "entertain livestock"...but it is

 

[lleighmay]

My girls stay pretty busy dustbathing, sunbathing, eating snacks from my (and my parents') leftovers, and wandering around in and out of the coop at will. They have perches at various levels and shaded areas throughout the day where they like to sleep. My run's about 400 sq ft. for (currently) 12 birds but I'm getting ready to double it and attach it to a small pasture which encompasses my "orchard". Once it's expanded I'll also practice rotational grazing, reseeding half of the run and keeping them out of it until it grows in. One idea I'm pleased I thought of was to lay some old half rotten boards in various places on the ground inside the run. Periodically I'll turn one of them over to unveil a veritable cornucopia of worms and bugs and tasty things for the chickens to pick at. When they're done in a day or two I'll flip that board back over and then turn another one over in a few days. I also had some old ammo boxes which I've planted with grasses and I'll put one of them in the run every so often to give them some fresh grass (which I can later remove and reseed). I'm planning to store cabbages and pumpkins in my root cellar this fall so I can use those as special treats/activities too. Hope this helps!
Leigh

 

[OpheliaChick]

Quote:
All of those are such wonderful ideas... especially the board one! What type of grasses are you using to plant the ammo boxes with?

 

[lleighmay]

I"ve been using some leftover lawn grass seed my Dad has, but I'm planning to switch to winter rye or one of the other cover crop grasses when the weather gets cooler so it will last longer into the year. I've been told that wheat grass (like you plant for indoor cats) will also work well. I don't see why parsley wouldn't work in the spring too.

 

[Missy3b]

I love the grass idea. I have been putting straw in the run but we are getting so much rain in MO that it seems to stay wet. I do pick handfuls of grass and give it to them everyday along with scraps.
I also let them out when I am working in the yard. They do a fantastic job of keeping bugs down in the garden.

Keep the ideas coming.

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

the veg in the garden that bolts like spinach or lettuce I hang from the ceiling about an inch above the tallest ones head they have the greatest time jumping for it and eating it

 

[zoomia]

*Running out to try the rotting wood thing.*

Well, I guess it'll have to wait til morning, but that is genius! Thanks for the idea.

 

[babyspice35]

I give mine a kind of two for one...

There's straw in the pen 2-5 inches deep. There are dry and wet spots. I take turns exposing ground in various spots, sometimes exposing wet ground with bugs, or dry ground for dust-bathing. They go nuts! when they see me grab the rake they all run towards it! When I come back later, they will have scratched and bathed to the point of the straw being uniform again.

 

[Chickn chick 46]

Sometimes I'll go in with a shovel and turn over an area of dirt for them to dig in. They fight over whos going to get the first worms that are unearthed. They really love this activity, but they do get in the way of the shovel and I have to watch out for their toes.

I also have the stray piece of lumber laying around in the chicken yard that I'll flip over for them occasionally