Winter Chick Enrichment

[Hen Momma]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for ideas to keep my chicks engaged during the day while I am at work. I know many in other posts have suggested dirt and sticks from the yard - but around here those things are buried under a couple feet of snow. Any ideas that I can add to the brooder area for my babies to play with while we are still snowed in?

 

[FernwoodHollow]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for ideas to keep my chicks engaged during the day while I am at work. I know many in other posts have suggested dirt and sticks from the yard - but around here those things are buried under a couple feet of snow. Any ideas that I can add to the brooder area for my babies to play with while we are still snowed in?

Things that they can climb on is good if you can't unearth sticks right now believe me I get it I have three feet of snow on the ground haha you can buy chick roosts or even just go grab a piece of 2x4 or a brick to put in there with it I put one of my cats toys in there one of the plastic balls that has a little bell inside but honestly they are happiest scratching through dirt so if you have any part of your ground that you can dig up even jsut a handful giving them a little bit of it helps a lot with boredom.

 

[debid]

A mirror, cardboard box with the top closed and holes cut in the sides so they can go through it, put some dots on the walls to peck at, a dowel suspended to serve as a roost...

 

[Ridgerunner]

How old are they? Can you describe how many and what their area looks like now. Might help with some specific ideas. I think you are probably talking about chicks you just brought home in a brooder in your house but I'm not sure.

To me the greatest enrichment is more space. Give them as much room as you reasonably can.

Things they can hide under, behind or especially perch up on. Somewhere to scratch, whether in dirt or in bedding.

A lot of people like to give them food but I don't like ruining a balanced diet so I'd limit treats.

 

[Hen Momma]

Things that they can climb on is good if you can't unearth sticks right now believe me I get it I have three feet of snow on the ground haha you can buy chick roosts or even just go grab a piece of 2x4 or a brick to put in there with it I put one of my cats toys in there one of the plastic balls that has a little bell inside but honestly they are happiest scratching through dirt so if you have any part of your ground that you can dig up even jsut a handful giving them a little bit of it helps a lot with boredom.

Things are warming up here so I'm hoping to dig out some sticks/dirt by this weekend. Thank you for the suggestions!!