I also use a metal coat hanger. I don't thread it all the way through, but pierce the core end through. I then twist the "pointy" end back onto itself, making what would look like a hangman's noose with the core of the cabbage threaded through it. I then make another loop or noose at the other end and hang it from a shepards hook (like the ones you hang flowing baskets from). This allows the head of cabbage to be at eye level or just above for the chickens to peck, and sometimes jump and peck at. This will keep them occuppied for about a day, then all that is left on the noose is the small core!