Top boss chicken does not let others dust bathe...

[hihuckleberry]

By adding a few pieces, it will look more cluttered, but it will be so much better for your hens. Add a roost pole, a small pallet up on blocks so birds can get under it and on top of it. Gives a bit of shade in the summer, a place to bask in the sun. It allows birds to have a time out and get away from the other birds if they want to. Even a mini wall, where a bird can walk behind and get out of sight of the others is good. Make sure there is two exits to anything, so as not to create a trap. An old chair is good too.

When I first started, I too, just had bare dirt, but I have for the last several years, added quite a bit of bedding to the run. Keeps the chickens cleaner, makes good mulch for my garden. Mrs K

thank you for the wonderful suggestions! i did add quite a bit of straw and shavings to the floor, but will look for some structures to put in as well. i did not know they needed anything like that! makes complete sense. will be my weekend project. thank you!

 

[hihuckleberry]

By adding a few pieces, it will look more cluttered, but it will be so much better for your hens. Add a roost pole, a small pallet up on blocks so birds can get under it and on top of it. Gives a bit of shade in the summer, a place to bask in the sun. It allows birds to have a time out and get away from the other birds if they want to. Even a mini wall, where a bird can walk behind and get out of sight of the others is good. Make sure there is two exits to anything, so as not to create a trap. An old chair is good too.

When I first started, I too, just had bare dirt, but I have for the last several years, added quite a bit of bedding to the run. Keeps the chickens cleaner, makes good mulch for my garden. Mrs K

mrs. k, how often do you change the bedding in the run?

 

[andreanar]

I agree with putting things in the run. Giving a straw bale will not only give the lowers a place to hide, but will keep them busy with pecking and scratching instead of picking on each other.