Ways to keep my chickens entertained?

[ClickityChick123]

Hi everyone! Since it is winter where I live, even though it isn't acting like it, most days the chickens will be staying inside the coop, instead of going out into the run. They have a good amount of space, but I'm worried they're going to pick on the littler ones to keep entertained. Does anyone know some ways that would be easy to make/use to keep them busy instead of picking on each other? Thanks!

 

[Appalachickens]

Hi everyone! Since it is winter where I live, even though it isn't acting like it, most days the chickens will be staying inside the coop, instead of going out into the run. They have a good amount of space, but I'm worried they're going to pick on the littler ones to keep entertained. Does anyone know some ways that would be easy to make/use to keep them busy instead of picking on each other? Thanks!

I noticed you don’t have a location listed in your profile - what part of the world are you?

And related to your question - it would be helpful to know how many chickens in what amount of space. And is it too snowy for them to go in the run? Becuas putting down some leaves on the snow can help give them access to venturing out in the run. Beyond that , they need things to do - different surfaces to jump up on, dust bath, that sort of thing.

 

[FernwoodHollow]

Hi everyone! Since it is winter where I live, even though it isn't acting like it, most days the chickens will be staying inside the coop, instead of going out into the run. They have a good amount of space, but I'm worried they're going to pick on the littler ones to keep entertained. Does anyone know some ways that would be easy to make/use to keep them busy instead of picking on each other? Thanks!

Their favorite activity is scratching through dirt for things so even putting a handful of scratch or treats on the coop floor and then dumping some sand on top of it so they have to search around for it would be great. I fell for the soxial media tactics of the mirror and the cute jingly ball and the xylophone instrument things and the swing it basically is just decoration at this point they don't care about any of it LOL. Or hang some lettuce (mine are obsessed with collards) for them to hop up and chomp at is also a great way to get them a little bit of exercise and entertain them plus collards kale chard those types of strong winter leafy greens that you can hang from their stems are excellent for chickens nutrition just make sure you're not overdoing it treats and scraps should only be 10% of their food.

 

[Appalachickens]

Their favorite activity is scratching through dirt for things so even putting a handful of scratch or treats on the coop floor and then dumping some sand on top of it so they have to search around for it would be great. I fell for the soxial media tactics of the mirror and the cute jingly ball and the xylophone instrument things and the swing it basically is just decoration at this point they don't care about any of it LOL. Or hang some lettuce (mine are obsessed with collards) for them to hop up and chomp at is also a great way to get them a little bit of exercise and entertain them plus collards kale chard those types of strong winter leafy greens that you can hang from their stems are excellent for chickens nutrition just make sure you're not overdoing it treats and scraps should only be 10% of their food.

Mine are indifferent to the mirror, swing and xylophone, too! They do like the logs, dustbath and the outside roostbars.

 

[FernwoodHollow]

Mine are indifferent to the mirror, swing and xylophone, too! They do like the logs, dustbath and the outside roostbars.

Yeah I have some big logs and branches in there that they love and I have a ladder thing that they like too basically like cats just things taller than ghe ground to jump on haha

 

[ClickityChick123]

Thanks for the info! I'll see if they like it!

 

[NatJ]

Their favorite activity is scratching through dirt for things so even putting a handful of scratch or treats on the coop floor and then dumping some sand on top of it so they have to search around for it would be great.

A bit of new bedding can have the same effect, even without scratch or treats.

Or sometimes you can just use a shovel to turn over a bit of the bedding on the floor, and they will get busy scratching there, without you adding anything edible. This makes the most difference if the bedding has gotten packed down but not actually frozen.

(Too much scratch can be unhealthy for chickens, so I like to remember other ways to prompt scratching too.)

 

[FernwoodHollow]

A bit of new bedding can have the same effect, even without scratch or treats.

Or sometimes you can just use a shovel to turn over a bit of the bedding on the floor, and they will get busy scratching there, without you adding anything edible. This makes the most difference if the bedding has gotten packed down but not actually frozen.

(Too much scratch can be unhealthy for chickens, so I like to to remember other ways to prompt scratching too.)

Totally! I don't struggle with this problem at all I was just giving suggestions to OP and also made sure to say not to overdo it with scratch and scraps for the same reason. My birds do love when I add more bedding to their nest boxes for sure though!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Does anyone know some ways that would be easy to make/use to keep them busy instead of picking on each other?

Where do you live? My interest is in your weather. There is a lot of difference in the southern tip of Argentina versus the mountains of Costa Rico. How many chickens do you have, including rough ages? What do your facilities look like? Size in feet or meters? Coop and run? A photo may be helpful. It helps me a lot in giving specific suggestions to know what you are working with.

To me, the best supplement you can give yours year around is room. Not a square feet type of room but the ability to get away from each other if they need to. I don't see anything causing them to pick on each other more than lack of room. That lack or room may be caused by the size of your facilities and management techniques or by weather keeping parts of their normal space off limits.

You can give them toys or things to play on, they may use them or ignore them. You can try giving them special food but that only lasts a short time period and may cause health problems if you overdo it. Space that is available can always be used.