Not sure if this would go here, but seemed behavioral? What toys/items will help keep my chickens active?

[FluffyBottomBantams]

While more of a seasonal thing, busted up pumpkins are a favorite In our coop. Half of a watermelon is a good option too especially on a hot day

 

[RojoMarz]

I used an old plastic doghouse, which has a removable roof, for a dust bath. The "dust" is ash from our pellet stove. The girls love to go in there.

We also have two set of what see temporary stairs, from when we were building our house. DH had to add legs on them so the could be freestanding. Also have tree stump that is used for perching on but it is also one side of unsupported for a treebranch perch.

 

[gtaus]

I wasn't sure about putting large rocks in because of them possibly hurting their feet on them?

I don't think you would have to worry about the chickens hurting their feet on a large boulder. However, a tree stump or section of cut tree trunk would be easier to move around.

 

[Acre4Me]

For our dust bath area we mixed into a large area of the run: sand, peat moss, sawdust, wood ash. Wood ash came from a wood stove, so if any friends have access to ash, ask them for it. A friend works at a manufacturing place and brought us 200lb bags of sawdust! Of course all this was mixed into the dirt that was already there. We are slowly roofing the run - it’s taking time bc we have snow load and need a good structure. However, even when this area that is the dust bath was regularly getting wet, it would drain and dry out pretty fast and became fluffy once again.

shade and roosts are other important features.

providing a hiding place of sorts is important...no dead ends. Anytime we lean up a board or something else in the run, they inspect it and if it’s wide enough, will have a chicken resting behind it, usually in a scratched out area.

In our case food is a distraction for us! We take some blueberries, cut grapes (don’t use whole ones), Cherry tomatoes, etc and toss them into the flock A few at a time and the chase that ensues is very entertaining for all!