So many questions...

[ladyhand]

Safest to let them play in some sort of enclosed area (can be as simple as snow fencing attached to posts in a big circle), as yes they can just take off if curiosity (or fear) strikes. Too many sad stories on here from folks letting chicks out to play, turning around for a minute, and then finding that one or more have gone missing.

Your chicks (and temperatures) line up well for them spending more time outside.



Most breeds of chickens (anything that's not heavy) would enjoy having some access to vertical obstacles/surfaces, and it can help expand their usable space in the run.

Example: we got this jungle gym for the chickens, and every afternoon around 4:30 I find 4-6 birds sitting on top of it, contently grooming and just watching the world go by. We also have several perches, along with other stuff at different heights (the corner of a covered feed area is to the right, my older hens have claimed that as their turf) for them to use.

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I love the little course you have set up! Do they like the moving swing?

 

[rosemarythyme]

I love the little course you have set up! Do they like the moving swing?

Nope they barely use the swing, which is pretty normal (but it came with the set up). Only my young chicks use it and then they outgrow wanting to try it. But it's cute while it lasts.

 

[Chicalina]

You can make your own jungle gym in the run with some branches or scrap wood. It doesn't have to look good, just have safe perches at different levels. Mine love theirs.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

Don't worry about them wiping their beaks after the banana - that is their only option when they get their beaks dirty. Mine tend to wipe their beaks off on my shoes after any messy treat.

Me too! On my pants as I sit and watch them

 

[RoyalChick]

Me too! On my pants as I sit and watch them

Yup. Shows where we sit in the pecking order!

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

Yup. Shows where we sit in the pecking order!

I often wonder! I have started trying to pet them from the side with a less dramatic reaction! I swear, they scream and jump away when I try for a little pet of their silky, soft feathers. lol
Being a new chick ma, I didnt pick them up or handle them, scared I would injure them. I spend a boatload of time with them, so they are always super happy to see me and when I let them play outside the coop in the portable pen, they sometimes jump the fence and I have no issue herding them back to where they are safe.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

If one of my 6 have a slug there is going to be a Chase! I love when they all start yelling and chasing one another until the item is pecked away to nothing