My greenhouse run with deep sand ground coverage on its way..pics included.

[Rubyfox]

We have replaced some of the plastic clear panels on the sides, on the door and top with chicken wire and filled with sand. I think more may need replacing when its hot and in winter putting back but for now they really do love being in there. I only leave them in when we go off to work as they normally are "let free". Just need idea's to put inside now to make it interesting for them. Already they have been making sand baths and my white silkie isnt too white now lol

 

[the poppster]

We have replaced some of the plastic clear panels on the sides, on the door and top with chicken wire and filled with sand. I think more may need replacing when its hot and in winter putting back but for now they really do love being in there. I only leave them in when we go off to work as they normally are "let free". Just need idea's to put inside now to make it interesting for them. Already they have been making sand baths and my white silkie isnt too white now lol

I add "furniture" to my roofed enclosed run....a old plastic Adirondack chair....hollow stump laying on its side...perches made from scrap lumber and branches...a half barrel cut length wise and dog house door shaped openings on either end...they have their own wind chime...set so they can peck at it if they wish...a mirror fascinated them for quite a while...till they figured out it wasn't a real bird in there....i made "Weed Feeders" out of a wood frame and hardware cloth, stuff it full of fresh cut or pulled weeds, they happily pick away at it eating the yummy weeds...I change things around...add new ones and remove old ones...I stood a bushy spruce tree in there last winter...they loved to hunker down under it....I figure if I was stuck in there I'd appreciate something to make it more interesting....and giving them a changing environment helps to get them used to new things...they are less likely to panic when confronted with unfamiliar things...mine usually react with curiosity....I had trouble getting the tree into the run and standing it up....all the chickens crowded around to check out this new "Thing"...use your imagination and their little world will be richer because of it.

 

[Rubyfox]

I add "furniture" to my roofed enclosed run....a old plastic Adirondack chair....hollow stump laying on its side...perches made from scrap lumber and branches...a half barrel cut length wise and dog house door shaped openings on either end...they have their own wind chime...set so they can peck at it if they wish...a mirror fascinated them for quite a while...till they figured out it wasn't a real bird in there....i made "Weed Feeders" out of a wood frame and hardware cloth, stuff it full of fresh cut or pulled weeds, they happily pick away at it eating the yummy weeds...I change things around...add new ones and remove old ones...I stood a bushy spruce tree in there last winter...they loved to hunker down under it....I figure if I was stuck in there I'd appreciate something to make it more interesting....and giving them a changing environment helps to get them used to new things...they are less likely to panic when confronted with unfamiliar things...mine usually react with curiosity....I had trouble getting the tree into the run and standing it up....all the chickens crowded around to check out this new "Thing"...use your imagination and their little world will be richer because of it.

Thank you so much for all your wonderful idea's I will enjoy putting them in for them. I have one concern I hope you could help me with? I am going on my holidays for the first time in 8 years and I have a house sitter who is going to make sure they are clean fed and watered but have told him not to let them roam free (as I do ) as he wont be at home all the time and wouldnt be able to get them back inside. Will they be ok in there for 2 weeks with out grass?

 

[the poppster]

They will be fine...as long as they have access to good feed and plenty of clean fresh water...they will be fine....chickens don't have the enzymes to really break down the cellulose in grass and such things, so they get just a bit of vitamins and minerals from most of the grass they eat..they love it but they will survive without it for a couple of weeks...go and enjoy your vacation.

 

[Rubyfox]

Thank you I have been so worried, I can go away happy

 

[drumstick diva]

You can also give them brightly colored balls to push around, maybe wooden blocks to check out and perch on. Parrot toys would be good if you have somewhere to mount them.