Need ideas for chicken run renovation

[Sunny Dawn]

Hey everyone - I need your help with ideas for my chicken run. We have an Amish built coop enclosed in a 24 x 16 foot run. What have you done with your runs to keep your chicks from getting bored? I have an old wood ladder and that is all. Please share pics.

 

[Sunny Dawn]

Please post pics and comments of what you haven your yards/runs for your chickens. I really need help here

 

[NightHawk123]

Nice dry dusty spot for dust baths. You can get some nice hard treat bars for them to peck. I wonder how they would treat a mirror. Never tried that.

 

[galefrances]

Just put some roosts around at different heights. I use tree branches, but it can be any wood. I also have a salad bar. You can use open bottom wood boxes of any size, make a lid of hardware cloth and wood trim, secure it to the bottom with hinges. Fill with dirt, then plant any kind of greens you like. It'll grow up through the hardware cloth, but the chickens won't be able to destroy the roots. That way they'll always have greens to eat. If you don't want to build the box, just use sweater boxes from the dollar store and cut out the top and bottom. I've heard some people mention hanging pie plates for them to peck at or building them swings, but I've never done either of those. I also have areas where they can hide, in case one of the other birds pick on them.

 

[Sunny Dawn]

What kind of hiding areas do you have? I like the salad bar idea! I am definitely gonnado that. I think I may also try a mirror.....that should be interesting. Will post pics when it is done. Wanted to work on it today but alas it is pouring here in Pennsylvania.

 

[Stewzoo]

I put various sticks, logs and other things for them to "climb" on. I also have started throwing grass clippings into the run. I take them out a daily fruit or vegetable to pick at. Squash, gourds and such now since they are in abundance from my garden. In summer, I halve a watermelon and let them pick at that all day long. My son will sometimes catch crickets and grass hoppers and release them into the run. It is pretty chaotic when he does that!!

 

[galefrances]

What kind of hiding areas do you have? I like the salad bar idea! I am definitely gonnado that. I think I may also try a mirror.....that should be interesting. Will post pics when it is done. Wanted to work on it today but alas it is pouring here in Pennsylvania.

I just put upside down buckets in corners, milk crates too. Anything you have around the house. My salad bar is a foot away from the wall of the run and they go behind that alot when they're trying to get away from another bird.