what is there to do?

[ms match]

neighbor has 10 hens/roosters in a pen. there is nothing in the pen but a little house, a feeder and a water pan. The ground is bare. It is void of everything but some mulch. Everytime i go by one is fighting another. Shouldn't they have something in there to keep them entertained?

 

[3KillerBs]

To answer the thread title question,

You can make an anonymous call to Animal Control if you have serious reason to believe that the roosters are being kept in abusive/neglectful conditions.

But if they're adequately fed, watered, and sheltered and aren't killing each other the fact that their housing isn't as nice as many of us would like to see isn't necessarily abusive/neglectful -- especially if these are being grown out for slaughter.

 

[ms match]

To answer the thread title question,

You can make an anonymous call to Animal Control if you have serious reason to believe that the roosters are being kept in abusive/neglectful conditions.

But if they're adequately fed, watered, and sheltered and aren't killing each other the fact that their housing isn't as nice as many of us would like to see isn't necessarily abusive/neglectful -- especially if these are being grown out for slaughter.

I'm afraid I left out part of my question: for them. What is there FOR THEM to do? nothing to play with, to keep them entertained. No wonder they want to fight one another as they must be bored/stressed. they have a very nice coop and a big, bare yard, one feeder and one for water and that is it. they are not kept for meat. just pets.

 

[3KillerBs]

I'm afraid I left out part of my question: for them. What is there FOR THEM to do? nothing to play with, to keep them entertained. No wonder they want to fight one another as they must be bored/stressed. they have a very nice coop and a big, bare yard, one feeder and one for water and that is it. they are not kept for meat. just pets.

Maybe you could tell your neighbors about this great website you found where chicken keepers get together to talk about their chickens?

 

[21hens-incharge]

I think what you described is pretty typical and not something that NEEDS intervention.

My own BIG run and coop are devoid of vegetation. Mine have A feeder and several water dishes and mulch.
Anyone looking in from the alley would only see that. They wouldn't see the chair and perches on the other side of the coop.

Something to remember is chickens aren't like parrots who will "play" with toys. Chickens devour treats in seconds so if they HAD treats it's impossible to know an hour after they were given "something to do".