What do you use to entertain your chickens in your run?

[La Banan]

I'm with emvickry - they entertain us! I gave them my whole yard to play in - almost two acres plus a cliff and a bit of a swamp. I didn't mean to but I gave them a sweet mama squash that had been growing nice and fat on the wrong side of the garden fence - we thought at first it was racoons but now we realize it was the HENS! They ate the inside out of it while leaving it hanging on its vine! I throw food off the balcony - they come running in their hilarious fat hen way to see what's on the manna from heaven menu today. If it is round like a peach - they'll play a sort of soccer game with it but with bites taken out it gets less likely to roll plus then it is covered in dirt. A small persistant cat came and sat on the cliff and watched them today - that entertained them no end as they and the chipmunks gave it poop! So, no toys but they don't seem one bit bored.

 

[RevaVirginia]

Quote:
OMG so did I... our 80s are showing...

All right, you two, I won't ask how old YOU are if you don't ask me.

Sure wish I had gotten that T shirt. . . .

Alzheimer's for me...coulda swore that was the seventies. Hope I'm wrong..for your sake..lol

 

[dacdeihl]

Wow, all great ideas. I've given pumpkins to them. I put one in whole and they didn't touch it for days. I finally went in and smashed it open. They were all over it!! I was gone in a couple of hours.

I have feed them with sweet corn that got cross polinated with field corn. They loved it. They have had many items from the garden this harvest season.

The toys is a great idea. Will have to add them. Also plans for more perches are going in soon.

Yesterday their run is mostly mud because of all the rain I put scratch grain in their coop and mixed it in. They all ran inside and started to dig around. I've thrown worms in as well.

Once I found them playing catch with a dead frog I'm sure that got lost in the run.

 

[WitksChicks]

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*** Can you provide the directions on how you make the homemade suet block and flock blocks? Please!!!! ****

I've seen Peck-A-Blocks on the web, but can only get them in the UK. They cost about $7 - $9 but to get them shipped brings the $$ up way to high to make them an option.

 

[ErieSpurs]

My neighbor used to throw in baby bluegill he caught in his pond. One would grab the fish and run as fast as she could, because a dozen other chickens would be in hot pursuit of her and her prize.

 

[Sc00ter4900]

Wow a lot of good ideas. Was wondering if I could put an old mirror out in there run or coop? Would they play or look at it ? I might try it LOL has any one else used a mirror? Thanks Scotty

 

[Amethyste]

I hang different foods up for the girls inside the coop...outside they are always busy chasing bugs or lying in the sun etc. But when the bad weather sets in, and they choose to stay inside I do things like :

-put a melon in for them
-whole apples
-flock blocks/suet blocks
-hang cabbages from the rafter (so they have to be creative on getting it)
-hang lettuce up from the rafter (same as above)
-throw BOSS in the bedding so they have stuff to look for

I have never noticed them "playing" tbh ... mine have never shown any interest in the mirrors and whatnot other than the "peck oh not food" thing. Pretty much if it isnt edible they ignore it...greedy little heathens lol

 

[PunkinPeep]

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That sounds like a lot of fun!

 

[ColoradoMike]

I put my old XBox out in the chicken coop, but the stupid birds can't figure out how to work the TV remote.

Mine seem happy with a bit of scratch in the AM and a handful of scrap greens from the garden and/or kitchen. Also, we have some perches from them in the run...

 

[cap1717]

When the girls have to be in. . . they have a sandbox and hanging veggies, big branches to roost on and small tasty branches to much on. . . . but they ALWAYS prefer to be out in the yard, digging and climbing and pestering anyone who happens to be around, especially the dog. . . it is rather amusing to see a 60 lb dog being harrased by a couple of 2 lb chickens!