How to Keep Chickens from getting bored
If you are having issues with hen pecking in your coop, then this article on how to keep chickens from getting bored will help.
Giving a thriving environment for your chickens is great when raising chickens that are healthy, happy, and get along. Let’s go over some tips that you can start using today.
As a chicken owner, you want the best for your feathered friends. Providing them with a comfortable and stimulating living environment is essential to keeping them happy and healthy. One way to keep your chickens contented is by adding interesting items to their coop or run that will encourage exploration, mental stimulation, physical activities, and natural behavior.
From dust baths to perches and toys, there are plenty of ways to keep chickens from getting bored. Let’s take a look at some of the best ideas out there!
What are the Benefits of keeping chickens active and engaged?
Chickens are naturally curious animals who love to explore and interact with the environment around them. By providing them with stimulating activities, you can reduce stress levels, encourage natural foraging behaviors, and help build stronger immune systems. This can lead to a longer life for your chickens as well as improved egg production.
How do you tell if your chickens are bored?
Signs that your chickens are bored may include:
- Decreased appetite
- Feather picking or plucking
- Less activity than usual
- Sleeping a lot during the day.
If you notice any of these signs, it may be time to provide your chickens with some extra stimulation.
Dust baths
Chickens need to keep their feathers clean as part of their natural grooming habits. Providing them with an area of dry soil where they can take dust baths is essential for this task—plus, it’s a great way to keep them entertained.
When a chicken takes a bath, she uses her feet to kick up loose soil into other feathers. She then uses her beak to work the soil deep down and flaps them to shake the soil out. This helps to remove oils, pests, and debris.
Dust baths also help to calm chickens, allowing them to relax. You can often see chickens sleeping on the ground covered in soil.
How do you make a dust bath in your coop/run?
Making a homemade dust bath in your coop or run is easy. All you need to do is create an area that is sheltered from rain and provide it with dry soil, as well as some sand, ash, diatomaceous earth, or other items for them to roll around in. You should also make sure the area is large enough for all of your chickens to enjoy.
Benefits of providing dust baths for chickens
Dust baths are essential for chickens’ physical and mental health. Not only does it help keep their feathers clean and free of parasites, but it also helps stimulate their senses and provides them with an activity to enjoy. And bonus—it’s a great way to keep your coop or run clean!
Chicken Toys
Adding toys and other interesting items to the coop or run gives your chickens something fun and exciting to explore. A variety of options are available, from hanging swings to peek-a-boo boxes.
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Different kinds of toys that chickens enjoy
Chickens enjoy a variety of different toys and activities. Some popular options include swings, mirrors, feeders, treat balls, and even cardboard boxes. Allowing chickens to explore a variety of different toys can help keep them entertained and active, as well as give them something new to do each day.
How to create your own stimulating toys for chickens
Creating toys for your chickens is a great way to provide them with variety. You can use items like cardboard boxes, egg cartons, and even old t-shirts to create stimulating toys for your chickens. Just use some creativity, and you can provide them with hours of entertainment!
Treat Toy
Try these fun treat toys that are easy to make.
- Fill an empty water bottle with scratch or seeds.
- Poke holes all over the bottle that are large enough for the seed to fall out when it is pushed around.
- Put in the coop or run.
Or you can hang large produce for a swinging option.
- Put a nail in the ceiling of your coop.
- Attach a chain or sturdy string from the nail.
- On the lower end, attach a head of cabbage or lettuce.
- Let the chickens peck at it for a fun snack.
Roost and Perches
Providing chickens with perches and other elevated areas to roost on is important for both physical exercise and mental stimulation. See how to make a simple DIY Chicken Roost here.
Perches are an essential part of any chicken’s living environment. They provide a safe place for chickens to roost, and they also give them an elevated view that can help reduce stress levels and improve their overall well-being. You can make your own perches by using logs, branches, or even old tires—make sure they’re the appropriate size and height for your chickens.
How much room does a perch need?
When it comes to perches, the most important thing is creating an environment that allows your chickens to roost safely. Make sure to provide enough space between perches so that chickens don’t have to compete for space. Additionally, make sure they are the appropriate size and height for your chickens. You can also provide various perches to give them more options.
A ladder-style chicken roost should have bars or rungs that are at least 2″ wide, but 4″ is better. This is because chickens prefer to have their feet flat on the surface.
A roost should also have enough room to give each hen in your flock 8″. This will discourage aggression in your flock from lack of roosting space.
How do you mentally stimulate chickens?
Mentally stimulating chickens can be done by providing them with a variety of toys, treat stands, dust baths, and perches. Additionally, giving your chickens new activities to explore, such as digging in the dirt or rearranging their run, can help keep them entertained and mentally stimulated.
Treat Stand
Last year I made this simple treat stand for my chickens and they used it for hours! All you need is a tomato cage and some of your chicken’s favorite treats.
- Take a tomato cage and turn it upside down inside your run or out in an open area.
- Use rocks to hold it in place so it will not tip over.
- Skewer tomatoes, cucumbers, apples or other produce favorites.
- Let your chickens enjoy!
You will want to change up produce weekly to keep things fresh and fun. Try strawberries, carrots, or heads of lettuce.
Temporary Run
Giving your chickens a new place to explore and scratch is a great way to change things up for your flock. We like to setup temporary areas for our chickens around our yard on days when we can’t free range them.
You can build a temporary chicken run in a new area to give your flock access to fresh ground. This will encourage them to scratch, which is relaxing to chickens. READ: How to Build a Temporary Chicken Run
Chickens need stimulation and entertainment, just like any other animal. Providing your chickens with a variety of different toys, dust baths, and perches can help keep them from getting bored and engaging in healthy behaviors.
Get creative and start providing your chickens with some fun activities today!
