Poll on flock toys — please answer if possible!

[The Welch Chickens]

I’m doing a bit of research (just for personal reasons) on whether or not your chickens like small, colorful toys (that don’t involve food) such as xylophones, pianos, bells, mirrors, balls, tiny drums, etc.

I would really appreciate it if you could answer the poll questions and tag any people you think might be able to as well. I’d like to get as many answers as possible for accurate results.

Thanks a lot!


Update!
Here is the article I wrote using the info from this poll. I'd appreciate it if you could read it through and write a review if possible

Xylophones, mirrors, and bells...oh my! — Discovering what activities your chickens actually enjoy

Have you ever bought fun-looking (and expensive!) toys for your chickens, only to find they barely glanced at them? Maybe you saw that cute video of someone’s “flock band” playing little drums and xylophones, but discovered your flock used the instruments only for stubbing their toes on. Or...

• The Welch Chickens
• Jun 29, 2024
• 5.00 star(s) 14 ratings
• Comments: 3
• Reviews: 13
• Category: Maintaining A Healthy Flock

 

[Logar]

Following along as I have been wondering about this because it seems pretty split on if chickens will use them

But one of my mine really enjoys her swing. I say her swing as none of the others use it

 

[AntiqueB]

I gave mine a swing, a xylophone, a mirror. . . Nothing. Not a cluck.

 

[The Welch Chickens]

I have been wondering about this because it seems pretty split on if chickens will use them

My case exactly!

I gave mine a swing, a xylophone, a mirror. . . Nothing. Not a cluck.

Interesting. Thanks for replying!

 

[The Welch Chickens]

I'm tagging all the people who replied to a thread I found on the subject. If y'all could, please answer the poll! Thanks for your time

Spoiler: Tag list

@KimbosKluckers @Chichisx5 @aart @Brooks_ @Lils Roost @rosemarythyme @Ilovemychicks08 @My Very First 6 Chickens @Farmgirl283420 @Sequoia Raven Bird Farms @TwoCrows @pelicanchook @sraftery4 @gtaus @TinyRaptorDodos @Imataken @Sammster @Henpecked Dad @Carlyb22 @Se7en @GoujonsAndChips @alinas2010 @Coffetym @matthennessy @ElfenLied89 @Chicken_tiger_catt @paradisepentacoop @SuperC @PamMahtin @teachchickmi @Party-chick

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

I have a mirror, xylaphone, swing, tire(that spins) and seesaw like toy. Chicks always play with it and sometimes i catch the hens playing with them to. Ill try to get some pictures.

 

[TwoCrows]

When they are tiny chicks, they seem to enjoy playing with small parrot toys. But as adults, not to so much. I added a swing years ago but it went ignored. A treat ball just lays there unless there is food in it.

They do like levels and perches in the run, oh and they seem to like giant mirrors. Not sure if they are admiring themselves as they walk past or enjoy harassing the birds on the other side, but mirrors are about they only entertainment they can muster.

 

[alinas2010]

No toys here, just “forage boxes”. Which are just old flower pots/garden bins filled with dirt and sprinkled with scratch or BSFL. Jungle gym item like pallets are awesome to climb on and can be stacked many ways and provide good hiding spots, which can be most satisfying for a chicken

Edited to add pics.

 

[The Welch Chickens]

No toys here, just “forage boxes”. Which are just old flower pots/garden bins filled with dirt and sprinkled with scratch or BSFL. Jungle gym item like pallets are awesome to climb on and can be stacked many ways and provide good hiding spots, which can be most satisfying for a chicken

Edited to add pics.View attachment 3858311View attachment 3858312

Those look fun!

 

[gtaus]

I’m doing a bit of research (just for personal reasons, and I was thinking about writing an article on the subject) on whether or not your chickens like small, colorful toys (that don’t involve food) such as xylophones, ropes with bells, mirrors, tiny drums, etc.

FYI, I tried mirrors, colored balls, and bells as toys. My chickens could care less about them. If it did not involve food, there was just no interest in any of the toys I offered.

I have had great luck with a compost bin inside the run, grazing frames, and eventually turning all my chicken run into a composting system which has worked out the best of me. But all those things take advantage of the chickens nature to scratch and peck looking for food.

Although not a toy, they also enjoy a big branch I put into the chicken run for them to perch on. They also enjoy sitting on top of the compost bin.