Relocating Chickens - Tips? Boredom Busters?

[SageFay]

Hi all,

Our summer project new coop is finally finished (yay!!), but I didn't realize how stressful the move would be for the flock and for me! I have done my research and looks like they need to be locked in the coop itself for at least 3 days to realize it is home. No problem, it is big enough for them all, but they are already bored and picking on eachother.

Any relocation tips or boredom buster suggestions??

Thanks!!

 

[aart]

Is there a run or do you usually free range?
I don't see feed and water in there?
I see a hanging apple, do they like that?
Maybe spread some scratch grains on the floor?

 

[SageFay]

Is there a run or do you usually free range?
I don't see feed and water in there?
I see a hanging apple, do they like that?
Maybe spread some scratch grains on the floor?

Yes there is a fully fenced in run and they have a free ranging area, but I am worried about letting them out in the next 3 days and not being able to get them back in at night.

They have feed and water! I took a nice video but couldn’t upload for some reason.

It’s my first time trying a hanging apple and they were curious but not super into it. I’ve thrown them some scratch but I don’t want them getting fat in 3 days lol

 

[Chicken Chat]

Since they have a fully fenced run, I would leave them to use that for a few days and not have them free range. They will want to go back to the coop when it gets dark.

 

[The Welch Chickens]

Do they like other fruits and veggies? Maybe make it so they have to work to get them, something like this:

 

[The Welch Chickens]

Yesterday we gave our chickens a pumpkin to "carve," they loved it and it was a great, entertaining boredom buster!

(There is also pumpkin pecking contest going on! ) https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/bycs-2023-spooktacular-halloween-hatch-along—poultry-pecking-pumpkins-photo-contest.1599120/

 

[SageFay]

Amazing! My flock did this last year it was so fun to watch their progress! Guess it is time to get them a pumpkin for this year

 

[rosemarythyme]

If it's for 3 days they should be ok, even if they're a little antsy by the end. Some extra treats are also ok during this period since again, it's just 3 days. Usually my birds would get a treat block if they needed to be kept in for a period of time.