thecatumbrella
Furiously Foraging
I cannot believe what just happened (don't worry, everyone's fine).
The Lixit Treat Ball is two pieces of plastic held together by a very strong elastic. You fill with treats/food/whatever and the chickens can peck and kick it around to dispense little bits at a time through openings in the ends.
My large fowl flock loved this toy and were pretty rough on it. Never had a problem. The bantam flock can barely use it though; they're too small and gentle. Or so I thought...
Put a ball out at 7am, checked the camera at 9 - THEY HAD CRACKED IT OPEN LIKE AN EGG, just like this photo. I don't understand how. I have to physically yank it apart to put it in that state. The problem is that the toy will readily snap back together and could 100% clamp onto a bird. The elastic is under quite a bit of pressure when it's like this. I've even accidentally closed it on my hand while washing it (ouch).
So use caution with this toy. At a minimum, I'll only be offering it with supervision.
Do anyone have an alternative kick toy that they like? I know you can make one with plastic bottles, but I'd love to have something sturdier that can be washed and disinfected.
The Lixit Treat Ball is two pieces of plastic held together by a very strong elastic. You fill with treats/food/whatever and the chickens can peck and kick it around to dispense little bits at a time through openings in the ends.
My large fowl flock loved this toy and were pretty rough on it. Never had a problem. The bantam flock can barely use it though; they're too small and gentle. Or so I thought...
Put a ball out at 7am, checked the camera at 9 - THEY HAD CRACKED IT OPEN LIKE AN EGG, just like this photo. I don't understand how. I have to physically yank it apart to put it in that state. The problem is that the toy will readily snap back together and could 100% clamp onto a bird. The elastic is under quite a bit of pressure when it's like this. I've even accidentally closed it on my hand while washing it (ouch).
So use caution with this toy. At a minimum, I'll only be offering it with supervision.
Do anyone have an alternative kick toy that they like? I know you can make one with plastic bottles, but I'd love to have something sturdier that can be washed and disinfected.
