Ways of entertaining chickens

[Oscarsgravett]

Hello,

I currently have two spacious runs for my two flocks of chickens one being heavy hybrid breeds and another bantams. My pen looks quite bare I think though. Although I free range my chickens they are in there runs in bad weather or when I am away for part of the day. I wondered if anyone could tell any soures of entertainment I can put in there run whilst the time they are in there.

 

[lightchick]

You could hang up a head of lettuce and put bird toys in there.

 

[Oscarsgravett]

You could hang up a head of lettuce and put bird toys in there.

Thank you I will try that

 

[centrarchid]

Also introduce some hay, preferably alfalfa or clover, into coop then toss scratch grains or BOSS into hay. Birds will invest considerable effort into looking for eats by scratching about through the hay. The have will also provide some nutritive value.

 

[JAZsMom]

hanging heads of cabbage is also supposed to be fun. In the hot weather freeze an ice block with fruit and seeds.

 

[Teila]

A thick, dead tree branch (size relative to the free space that you have) but one that they can jump on and off. The one I have for my girls they can walk up and down on it and choose whether to sit at the low end or high end. They pick at the bark and of course, it makes a great beak cleaner

I have also read that some chicken parents have a tree-branch-swing set up in the run but I think the jury is still out on whether it should swing or just hang in a fixed position.

A designated dust bath area; again, relative to the free space you have.

Happy chickens

 

[calichicken]

Dust bath for sure...mine love it! And I put fresh corn on the cobb. They like to peck off the corn and it rolls so good fun chasing it around!

 

[Teila]

I'm back .. I forgot another good one

If they do not have any grass in their run or have pretty much eaten all the 'goodies' out of the run; if you have access to it, a shovel or bucket full of dirt/earth they can dig through or even a good sized clump of grass, dirt, weeds etc that they will enjoy breaking down and pecking through.

 

[Oscarsgravett]

Thank you all for the help I will try every option

 

[Mrs. K]

a pallet on cinder blocks, can get under in the shade, can get on top to look around. It takes up room in your run, but actually doubles the area.