State a fact about yourself!

[MsChickenMomma]

My chickens won't stop picking on each other (like really bad) and if they don't stop soon, my mom is going to make me get rid of all of them....

 

[roostersandhens]

My chickens won't stop picking on each other (like really bad) and if they don't stop soon, my mom is going to make me get rid of all of them....

I hope they decide to stop soon.. Try hanging a shiny CD (or 2) in their coop/pen and maybe they will peck that instead. They love shiny things.

 

[MsChickenMomma]

I hope they decide to stop soon.. Try hanging a shiny CD (or 2) in their coop/pen and maybe they will peck that instead. They love shiny things.  

I've already done all of that... I've hung shiny stuff, hung cabbages, given them loads of treats, and none of it has worked.

 

[roostersandhens]

I've already done all of that... I've hung shiny stuff, hung cabbages, given them loads of treats, and none of it has worked.

Hmm.. Have you asked on BYC?

 

[Aacre]

I've already done all of that... I've hung shiny stuff, hung cabbages, given them loads of treats, and none of it has worked.

Since it's Easter time.. Have you tried taking a few plastic easter eggs and drilled tiny holes in them and fill them with small treats that can fit through the holes (not too big of holes- you want to make it challenging!)? Try bright colors, like orange and hot pink because.. I think that's as close to red as you're going to get with Easter eggs! I'm hoping to get to a dollar store for some and doing this for my girlies.. I normally free range them but I have to wait until I get my fence up so they won't go to the neighbor's anymore. The chickens will have some fun rolling the eggs around trying to get the treats to come out!

 

[MsChickenMomma]

Since it's Easter time.. Have you tried taking a few plastic easter eggs and drilled tiny holes in them and fill them with small treats that can fit through the holes (not too big of holes- you want to make it challenging!)? Try bright colors, like orange and hot pink because.. I think that's as close to red as you're going to get with Easter eggs! I'm hoping to get to a dollar store for some and doing this for my girlies.. I normally free range them but I have to wait until I get my fence up so they won't go to the neighbor's anymore. The chickens will have some fun rolling the eggs around trying to get the treats to come out! 

I suppose it won't hurt to try it. But from what I've done so far, treats aren't keeping them distracted.

Normally I always free range my girls, but we just moved into city limits, and we are not allowed to free range them. So I'll be stuck trying to keep them busy all year around, and I'm not sure if it's worth it.... :/

My family has been raising chickens for 15 years, and we have never been able to successfully keep chickens confined. The only way we have ever had happy chickens that left each other alone was when we free ranged them.

I don't know how all of you keep confined hens happy, but it has never worked for us.... It always ends in disaster no matter what precautions we take...

 

[Aacre]

I suppose it won't hurt to try it. But from what I've done so far, treats aren't keeping them distracted.

Normally I always free range my girls, but we just moved into city limits, and we are not allowed to free range them. So I'll be stuck trying to keep them busy all year around, and I'm not sure if it's worth it....

My family has been raising chickens for 15 years, and we have never been able to successfully keep chickens confined. The only way we have ever had happy chickens that left each other alone was when we free ranged them.

I don't know how all of you keep confined hens happy, but it has never worked for us.... It always ends in disaster no matter what precautions we take...

Mine are none too happy now either. They like the treats and all, but it's just not the same as free ranging. Mine are withholding eggs. I can tell that they don't like being confined at ALL.

 

[MsChickenMomma]

Mine are none too happy now either. They like the treats and all, but it's just not the same as free ranging. Mine are withholding eggs. I can tell that they don't like being confined at ALL. 

My girls don't like it one bit either.

I have them in the garage right now until we can get their coop built (we're waiting on the snow to melt), and I keep hoping the having more space and being able to get outside will help. But now that I think about it, I'm sure I'll just keep having the same problem.

No amount of entertainment keeps my hens entertained. They just get bored and go right back to picking on each other.

Someone on BYC recommended Pinless Peepers, but that seems like such a cruel option to me.... :/

 

[Aacre]

My girls don't like it one bit either.

I have them in the garage right now until we can get their coop built (we're waiting on the snow to melt), and I keep hoping the having more space and being able to get outside will help. But now that I think about it, I'm sure I'll just keep having the same problem.

No amount of entertainment keeps my hens entertained. They just get bored and go right back to picking on each other.

Someone on BYC recommended Pinless Peepers, but that seems like such a cruel option to me....

I never knew something like that existed! I personally wouldn't use them either.. You are right, they seem cruel. I'll leave them for those who don't think it is.. I know I wouldn't enjoy have that sort of contraption hanging on my nose and blocking my views!

 

[GimmeCake]

When you moved, did you get a bigger coop that can keep them all happy inside year 'round?