Looking for advice on how to make my run more stimulating for my chickens

[Phililorp]

My wife and I have a 6x16x6 ft chicken run without a coop for our black australorps. We don't have a coop because we live in the tropics and the coldest point in a whole year is 65 degrees. That means the run is just a big, blank, boring rectangle. Right now the only things in the run are a really nice roosting perch, a waterer, a feeder, and a tree stump big enough for maybe 2 to perch on. The ground is totally covered in rice hull, but should I remove half of the rice hull so the chickens can experience different types of ground? Also, what else could I add? I'm thinking of adding a chicken swing because it looks so easy to make and we could hang it off a rafter. Should I add any big rocks for them? Or maybe another stump? The only stumps left are small and can only hold 1 chicken each I think. How can I make the chicken run more interesting for the chickens? The chickens won't be allowed to free range because they are right next to our crops so I want to be sure it's a cool place for them to live.

 

[Acre4Me]

Do they have shade they can access all the time? If not, then create shade. A pallet (Or similar) leaned up against the fence or a wall, but never in a corner, you don’t want to create dead ends. Add an old/durable table, shade underneath, per h on top. Same idea with an old wagon. Add a potted large plant That is not harmful. Create a grassy area using a frame of wood, fill with dirt and grass seed, cover with supported wire that is a couple inches Above the dirt. This way grass will grow, but they cannot destroy the roots.

And let’s not forget their all-time favorite activity: dust bathing. Give them an area of light fluffy dirt. Things to add to this to keep it light and fluffy are: loose dirt, wood ash, sawdust, peat moss, sand -any combination.

 

[Phililorp]

Do they have shade they can access all the time? If not, then create shade. A pallet (Or similar) leaned up against the fence or a wall, but never in a corner, you don’t want to create dead ends. Add an old/durable table, shade underneath, per h on top. Same idea with an old wagon. Add a potted large plant That is not harmful. Create a grassy area using a frame of wood, fill with dirt and grass seed, cover with supported wire that is a couple inches Above the dirt. This way grass will grow, but they cannot destroy the roots.

And let’s not forget their all-time favorite activity: dust bathing. Give them an area of light fluffy dirt. Things to add to this to keep it light and fluffy are: loose dirt, wood ash, sawdust, peat moss, sand -any combination.

Yeah they have shade over the entire run because the tropical sun is so intense and is immediately overhead at noon the entire year round. We have a PVC roof with a tarp on top (for additional rain protection) over half of the run where their roosting perch/feeder/nesting box are. The other half of the run has a shade cloth like they use in garden stores. We also planted some moringa trees just outside the run on the border. They will protect the chickens from harsh mid-morning and mid-afternoon sun and the leaves will be very nutritious snacks.

I love your idea of the grass and dust bathing area! We gave our chicks a little saucer of dirt in the brooder and noticed they love flinging it around and pecking at it lol. I guess we made a mistake covering the ENTIRE run in rice hull. Maybe we will keep it in just half of the run where their roosting perch is so they can always have some quick drying ground available. We should definitely make a dust bath area for them because I read it is good for their parasite control. I can't believe I didn't even think of that. Maybe we can make the other half of the run the dust bath area with dirt, sand, and carbonized rice hull (basically rice hull ash that is very grainy like sand). Then, on top of the dust bath area we can add some things of interest for them like the potted plant and grass. The local bugs looooooooooooooove grass so I'm sure the chickens would appreciate it!

 

[Acre4Me]

Great! Glad to hear they have plenty of shade! Figured that was likely already done bc you are in an area of intense sun!

Yes, those chickens love to scratch and dust bathe! I’m sure the rice hills make a nice run base, but variety is good too, so if you are able to make the run 1/2 and 1/2, I’m sure it will be well-liked!!

Providing bug habitats (like a grassy area) will be great from the chicken’s perspective.

 

[aart]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[ladybrasa]

Add different level roosts? Take advantage of vertical space.