No More Free Ranging Resulting In Very Bored Flock. Need Suggestions.

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

I have a flock of 8 (1 rooster and 7 hens). They are fantastic to have around, but recently I have found myself in quite the pickle. My flock is kept in a big dog run, which is covered with a thick layer of sand and is attached to their coop. They used to have free range of my big fenced back yard. But, after they dust bathed under the shrubs it caused stress in my family and they were forced to only stay in their dog run.
This lead to feather pecking, and other flock issues (Fueled by boredom). I've stringed popcorn for them, and given them several treats, but they are still bored.
They get very little grass in their diet, so their eggs probably aren't as great as I'd like them to be either.

Does anybody have any ideas how I can let my chickens out in my yard without them making big holes under the shrubs? Obviously chickens need to dust bathe, especially in 90* heat. Would they use a sandbox filled with nice loam to dust bathe in?

I just feel bad for them, and need some advice.

 

[Whittni]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/boredom-busters-toys-for-chickens

 

[five is my dog]

i have a place where we store wood there is tons of dust there. rain can't get in it because i have outdoor stairs that cover it. my hens free range so i find them there dust bathing every day.

. as long as they have a good place to take a dust bath they are happy.

. you could also try putting wood chips over the soil in your shrubs. not pine straw they will nest in it. i know because i have pine straw where my sapplings are and there are craters where they nest.

hope i helped!

 

[Mrs. K]

You might also reduce your flock. When they are strictly confined, they need more space in the confinement, and when they reach full size, they need more space.

Also in the run, put up some pallets up on bricks, some old branches, roosts at different heights. This offers actually more space, because it gives them different levels, birds can get under or on top. They can get away from each other, and out of sight.

Mrs K

 

[SD Bird Lady]

We had a few problem spots so had to put chicken wire down around the plants. If you do it before things start to grow in the spring you can cut the holes and then stake it down and cover it with a layer or mulch of some sort. Keeps them from digging deep in the ground and also keeps them from damaging the roots of the plants.Also helps if you have a cat who like to poo in the flowers

 

[RedDrgn]

I'd just put some chicken wire fencing around the areas you don't want them having access to and digging in and call it a day, but a few things to keep in mind:

1. It is recommended that you have 10 square feet of run space for each chicken kept in the run. So for a 8 chicken flock, you're run should be 80 square feet of run. If they don't have enough space, they can get excessively nasty and aggressive with each other.

2. Yes, a pan of sand, loam, or other suitable soil or clean (non-food waste/grease contaminated) ash would work fine for them to dust bathe in in a run.

3. You can give them piles of grass clippings when you mow the lawn, whether or not you can let them freely roam in the grass. We use grass clippings for general ground material on top of the dirt in our run throughout the mowing season. The chickens love it and tear the piles apart in seconds.

4. Whole heads of cabbage, big chunks of melons (or whole small/medium melons), and squashes make great chicken snacks that are not only nutritious, but engaging, keeping the birds busy over longer periods of time as they tear them apart and chase each other for the choicest pieces.

 

[Hayduke27]

Keep in mind that one big reason they like to dust-bathe under the shrubs is because it's very hot out, and that is a shady area. You could certainly encourage dust-bathing elsewhere, but be sure to shade that area, otherwise it will just become scorched desert. A nice shady, earthy spot would likely draw them right in. Other than that, I agree with using a bit of chicken wire to keep them out of unwanted areas!