Chickens are curious creatures. They are naturally programmed to scratch, Peck, and forage all day long. But today’s birds are quite literally, cooped up. Their curiosity is restrained, they are up unable to explore the fascinating world that continues to buzz and bustle around them.
What world they do have, is limited to all the same routines and items. Imagine your whole life is spent in the same room. You have a table, some chairs, a bed, and a couple of possessions. After a while, you’ll grow tired of having the same old things around. You may even go crazy. Well, it’s no different for a hen. She’ll start looking for her own excitement and fun, and that’s not good news for you.
Why? Well, a hen’s idea of a game is feather pecking, bullying, and egg-eating. It’s our job as the chicken’s owners to avoid all these issues, by offering daily activities that are new and stimulating. I’d like to share 8 simple boredom busters and tips that will keep your hens happy, and give their curiosity a chance to break through.
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Food Games
When giving your chickens treats, remember to check online for what is safe and unsafe for them to eat. Moldy foods and rotting foods should never be given to your chickens, and keep in mind that a treat is called so for a reason and should only be given on occasion.
1- The Scratch Bottle Game
This is my hen’s favorite activity. They quite literally are Scratchaholics and this game takes their favorite treat and mashes it with a fun new challenge. Not only is it a great way to keep your hens active and happy, but it is also an easy way to recycle those old plastic bottles that most likely are starting to pile up!
2- Apple On a Dowel
This game is really fun, and your chickens will go crazy for it! Like the scratch bottle game, it offers a unique challenge with a tasty reward.
3- Cheerio String
This is a really creative idea, and your chickens will love it! You can put together a string, not only with Cheerios but also with fruits, veggies, and table scraps!
4- Lettuce Ball
You’ve probably heard of this game before, as it’s popular amongst chicken keepers. It offers a healthy fun challenge that your girls will love.
5- Easter Egg Scratch Toys
What a fun toy! Drilling a few holes into, and filling a colorful plastic Easter egg with scratch will give your chickens a great interactive experience that can be easily reused. It’s similar to the scratch bottle and will put your chickens’ natural desire to scratch the ground to work.
Non-Food Activities
Since treats cannot be given every day, there are other and better ways to keep your girls active. These 3 simple tricks or a great idea for every flock.
1-Rearranging Items
Think back to that boring old room. All of the same possessions and items will make you go crazy! To fix this problem, switching out your girl’s perches, and items, as well as rearranging them will keep them active and stimulated. Their natural curiosity will enjoy the opportunity to explore. Try adding an old branch, with leaves to the coop. The girls can climb on it, and hide, as well as eat any insects that take residence inside. Adding a dust bath is also a terrific idea. Recycle old tires and paint them to give your run a bit of color.
2- Perches
Perches add new levels and heights to your chickens’ run and are a great way to use all the extra height you may have. Chickens are roosting birds, and have a natural desire to perch. This tip is highly recommended to all chicken keepers.
3- Add a rooster
Chickens will benefit from having a rooster around. Not only does adding mating to your flock’s daily routine keep them stimulated, but it also offers a new level of protection. Roosters can also serve as eye candy, since their gorgeous flowing saddle feathers, and unique coloring will stand out amongst the rest of your birds.
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I hope you enjoyed the article! Realizing the importance of entertainment will make your flock much happier and healthier. I highly recommend you try one of the things I mentioned above. If you have any more tips and tricks or improvements I can make to the article, please let me know by leaving a comment and a rating.
Thanks for reading!
What world they do have, is limited to all the same routines and items. Imagine your whole life is spent in the same room. You have a table, some chairs, a bed, and a couple of possessions. After a while, you’ll grow tired of having the same old things around. You may even go crazy. Well, it’s no different for a hen. She’ll start looking for her own excitement and fun, and that’s not good news for you.
Why? Well, a hen’s idea of a game is feather pecking, bullying, and egg-eating. It’s our job as the chicken’s owners to avoid all these issues, by offering daily activities that are new and stimulating. I’d like to share 8 simple boredom busters and tips that will keep your hens happy, and give their curiosity a chance to break through.
………………………………………
Food Games
When giving your chickens treats, remember to check online for what is safe and unsafe for them to eat. Moldy foods and rotting foods should never be given to your chickens, and keep in mind that a treat is called so for a reason and should only be given on occasion.
1- The Scratch Bottle Game
This is my hen’s favorite activity. They quite literally are Scratchaholics and this game takes their favorite treat and mashes it with a fun new challenge. Not only is it a great way to keep your hens active and happy, but it is also an easy way to recycle those old plastic bottles that most likely are starting to pile up!
- Grab an old plastic bottle- preferably a soda bottle, or one with sturdy plastic.
- Puncture or drill holes in the plastic. These should be large enough to stick a pencil in.
- Fill the plastic bottle with scratch, and screw on the cap.
- Tie a string around the top, and hang the bottle from the roof of the run. Make sure it’s high enough that your bird will need to jump, just slightly. When they peck it, a little bit of scratch will fall out, allowing them to scratch around and have fun. If you don’t have a roof in your run, drop the bottle on the ground. The chickens can kick it around and have the same fun experience.
2- Apple On a Dowel
This game is really fun, and your chickens will go crazy for it! Like the scratch bottle game, it offers a unique challenge with a tasty reward.
- Find a wooden dowel and a wooden cork.
- Stick the cork on the dowel
- Core an apple (this is important, as apple seeds are bad for your chickens’ health) and stick it sideways onto the dowel.
- Stick the dowel in the ground, and make sure the apple is high enough that the chickens have to jump to Peck it.
3- Cheerio String
This is a really creative idea, and your chickens will love it! You can put together a string, not only with Cheerios but also with fruits, veggies, and table scraps!
- Find a string long enough to stretch across your run.
- Sting Cheerios, fruits, and veggies onto the string.
- Run it across your chickens’ run for them to snack on.
4- Lettuce Ball
You’ve probably heard of this game before, as it’s popular amongst chicken keepers. It offers a healthy fun challenge that your girls will love.
- Grab a lettuce ball and tie a string around it.
- Suspend the lettuce from the roof of your run
- Make sure it’s high enough that the girls will have to jump for the reward.
5- Easter Egg Scratch Toys
What a fun toy! Drilling a few holes into, and filling a colorful plastic Easter egg with scratch will give your chickens a great interactive experience that can be easily reused. It’s similar to the scratch bottle and will put your chickens’ natural desire to scratch the ground to work.
- Find a few Easter eggs and drill holes into them.
- Fill them with scratch and roll them on the ground.
Non-Food Activities
Since treats cannot be given every day, there are other and better ways to keep your girls active. These 3 simple tricks or a great idea for every flock.
1-Rearranging Items
Think back to that boring old room. All of the same possessions and items will make you go crazy! To fix this problem, switching out your girl’s perches, and items, as well as rearranging them will keep them active and stimulated. Their natural curiosity will enjoy the opportunity to explore. Try adding an old branch, with leaves to the coop. The girls can climb on it, and hide, as well as eat any insects that take residence inside. Adding a dust bath is also a terrific idea. Recycle old tires and paint them to give your run a bit of color.
2- Perches
Perches add new levels and heights to your chickens’ run and are a great way to use all the extra height you may have. Chickens are roosting birds, and have a natural desire to perch. This tip is highly recommended to all chicken keepers.
3- Add a rooster
Chickens will benefit from having a rooster around. Not only does adding mating to your flock’s daily routine keep them stimulated, but it also offers a new level of protection. Roosters can also serve as eye candy, since their gorgeous flowing saddle feathers, and unique coloring will stand out amongst the rest of your birds.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
I hope you enjoyed the article! Realizing the importance of entertainment will make your flock much happier and healthier. I highly recommend you try one of the things I mentioned above. If you have any more tips and tricks or improvements I can make to the article, please let me know by leaving a comment and a rating.
Thanks for reading!
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