Run Activities

[CKfarm22]

I’m in need of some ideas for run activities that the chickens might like. We just finished or 16’ run and our chickens seem a little bored throughout the day in there.

 

[saysfaa]

Dust bath area in a sunny spot, preferably big enough for several chickens at a time.

Grooming area in a sheltered spot, preferably big enough for several chickenscat a time. For sheltered, think an open space among bushes or tall grass - it doesn't have to actually be either, but dappled shade is good, or something to hide under or behind.

Clutter.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/#post-21588571

Big bag of bedding (tree leaves, wood chips, etc) to scratch through and spread around.

 

[CKfarm22]

Dust bath area in a sunny spot, preferably big enough for several chickens at a time.

Grooming area in a sheltered spot, preferably big enough for several chickenscat a time. For sheltered, think an open space among bushes or tall grass - it doesn't have to actually be either, but dappled shade is good, or something to hide under or behind.

Clutter.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/#post-21588571

Big bag of bedding (tree leaves, wood chips, etc) to scratch through and spread around.

Thank you!

 

[3KillerBs]

The cluttered run thread is your best resource.

But I'll suggest a pallet up on blocks. My flock loves to get under it and to sit on top of it.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-“chickens-101”-articles-don’t-mention.76003/

 

[KyCoop]

In the winter I will get straw and put a handful of scratch under it and on a flack of it. The girls love to pull it apart and scatter it around looking for goodies.

 

[Quarterhorses1]

My chickens love it when I hang a head of lettuce by a string for them to peck at. Mealworms are good treats. Dust baths are fun and my chickens LOVE pine straw

 

[CKfarm22]

Dust bath area in a sunny spot, preferably big enough for several chickens at a time.

Grooming area in a sheltered spot, preferably big enough for several chickenscat a time. For sheltered, think an open space among bushes or tall grass - it doesn't have to actually be either, but dappled shade is good, or something to hide under or behind.

Clutter.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/#post-21588571

Big bag of bedding (tree leaves, wood chips, etc) to scratch through and spread around.

I was thinking of adding a dust bath spot for them because when we let them out they immediately run to their dust bath spot in the yard!

I’m thinking maybe using 2x6 wood in a square or rectangle and filling that. What would be the best material for their dust baths?

 

[alinas2010]

Large pots of chicken safe herbs to pick through. My girls love dill. I have to rotate pots out so they don’t totally kill the plants, though.

 

[saysfaa]

I was thinking of adding a dust bath spot for them because when we let them out they immediately run to their dust bath spot in the yard!

I’m thinking maybe using 2x6 wood in a square or rectangle and filling that. What would be the best material for their dust baths?

Based on what they choose when they have lots of choices: usually the dirt from under the plant in your landscaping or garden that you prize the most. Or the bare spot in the lawn that you were hoping would fill in.

I used to think it needed to be sand to be a little scratchy to take care of parasites and work dander out. I think that is wrong because of this article on why chickens bath in dust not water

Anyway, sand is okay. So is just plain dirt. Or clean wood ashes. Or bits of dry leaves or sphagnum moss. Or any combination of those or other things.

Mine enjoy some water in it at least sometimes. But mine is inside a well ventilated coop and is extremely dry if I don't.

 

[CaliforniaMountainChicks]

I do deep litter in my run and the chickens spend all day scratching around the floor finding different things hiding in there. They love when I add new piles of leaves, pine needles, mulch, etc. Deep litter consists of all kinds of organic material such as wood chips, straw, pine needles, leaves, chopped up branches from tree pruning, stuff from the garden, etc. They love their dust baths I have for them or if it's hot they dust bathe under the shade of the coop. I give them roosts in the run at different heights. I have an area with a bunch of branches I call the chicken jungle gym. I also have plants and fruit trees in the run that they like to hang around for shade and shelter.

Heres an example of a 'chicken tree' I made for them. It's made from cottonwood and manzanita branches.