Better non food items for 'enrichment', IMO.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/
Toys in the coop
- Thread starter Haybaler72
- Start date
rosemarythyme
Free Ranging
I admit I'm tempted to get one but I think I'd be the only one playing with it...I added a xylophone this winter for boredom. Apparently they aren’t that bored. It’s never been touched
We should probably add relocate the compost bin to the run to keep life interesting for the chicken cuz chicken love compost and bugs love compost two great tastes that taste great together!
- Thread starter
- #15
Haybaler72
Chirping
- Jan 26, 2020
- 47
- 168
- 50
Those 'two creative chicks' started the xylophone(and piano) craze a few years ago.
rosemarythyme
Free Ranging
See it's super cute, but by the time the video ends I'm already sick of hearing plink plink plink. Now, if the hens could actually learn to play a tune (without laser pointers and treat bribery), I'd be all for it. Though Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on repeat would get tiresome after a few hours I'm sure...
Soy Milano
Chirping
- Jun 19, 2017
- 186
- 198
- 94
Its called environmental enrichment, here is an infographic full of ideas - http://www.poultrydvm.com/featured-infographic/environmental-enrichment-for-poultry
eikome
Chirping
I have lots of "stuff" for my ladies to climb on, logs, ladder, big branch that fell off a tree last summer, etc. Every so often I move the stuff around to make it new & interesting again. I have a wiffle ball in there too that they like to peck around 
I also hang a suet type cage feeder to stuff greens or other treats in. Makes it harder for them to eat it up quickly because it moves everytime they peck at it.
A flock block has been really well received this winter. It's taking them forever to peck through because normally it's pretty frozen solid. They dug a big hole around it. I move it around so they can get to different sides. Gets them out into the run even when it's miserable out.
I also hang a suet type cage feeder to stuff greens or other treats in. Makes it harder for them to eat it up quickly because it moves everytime they peck at it.
A flock block has been really well received this winter. It's taking them forever to peck through because normally it's pretty frozen solid. They dug a big hole around it. I move it around so they can get to different sides. Gets them out into the run even when it's miserable out.
- Thread starter
- #20
Haybaler72
Chirping
- Jan 26, 2020
- 47
- 168
- 50
Cool ideas...thsnk youI have lots of "stuff" for my ladies to climb on, logs, ladder, big branch that fell off a tree last summer, etc. Every so often I move the stuff around to make it new & interesting again. I have a wiffle ball in there too that they like to peck around
I also hang a suet type cage feeder to stuff greens or other treats in. Makes it harder for them to eat it up quickly because it moves everytime they peck at it.
A flock block has been really well received this winter. It's taking them forever to peck through because normally it's pretty frozen solid. They dug a big hole around it. I move it around so they can get to different sides. Gets them out into the run even when it's miserable out.
