A cluttered run

[luckycluk]

good Lord, this is why I can't post pictures, I am sorry for the repeated pictures.

Behind the plywood is a feed bowl that really cannot be seen from most of the rest of the run.
I have the pallet leaned to the east as it is giving shade in the late afternoon.

If you notice the black plastic box, it is used for wind shelter, and there is a feed bowl in front of it, but there is also one behind it, under that old piece of tin. So I have 3 feed stations all out of the sight mostly of any bird at another station.

The old saddle rack and saw horse and the branch in the corner allow my birds to perch in the late afternoon sun. It gives them another way to get away from each other.

Now I realize that many of you live where that much old junk would not be tolerated by the neighbors, but I wanted to give you ideas what maybe you could add to make the run more interesting and safer to your chickens.

This summer I got a single bird, at 10 weeks of age integrated into the flock. She is still a bit of an outcast, but she is working in more and more each day. I won't say she never gets a bit of a chase or a peck, but she can escape and get away.

Hope this perhaps give you some ideas.

Mrs K

Thank you for some ideas I have about same situation

 

[DrTheMomm]

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This helps a lot. You've given me some good ideas.

 

[Clodill4rel]

good Lord, this is why I can't post pictures, I am sorry for the repeated pictures.

Behind the plywood is a feed bowl that really cannot be seen from most of the rest of the run.
I have the pallet leaned to the east as it is giving shade in the late afternoon.

If you notice the black plastic box, it is used for wind shelter, and there is a feed bowl in front of it, but there is also one behind it, under that old piece of tin. So I have 3 feed stations all out of the sight mostly of any bird at another station.

The old saddle rack and saw horse and the branch in the corner allow my birds to perch in the late afternoon sun. It gives them another way to get away from each other.

Now I realize that many of you live where that much old junk would not be tolerated by the neighbors, but I wanted to give you ideas what maybe you could add to make the run more interesting and safer to your chickens.

This summer I got a single bird, at 10 weeks of age integrated into the flock. She is still a bit of an outcast, but she is working in more and more each day. I won't say she never gets a bit of a chase or a peck, but she can escape and get away.

Hope this perhaps give you some ideas.

Mrs K

I’m going to be using your methods this week to introduce 22 6-7 week olds to our 3hens n 1silky Roo….half we’re incubator chicks n all are good with our broody hen and all together sleeping with her too separated from the 1.5 year olds. Question at night should we still have them go into their new coop where they are all together and have the elders go into theirs? How does this work going forward? This is our first time doing this. We do have multiple 4 coops built for separation of Roos in the near future if we need to do that…. We have a large run for them to all free range on is this just a try n figure it out thing or are there techniques I must have in place for Roos?

 

[FredHill]

Well actually if you think about it, adding clutter makes it look more crowded, but if you do the math, you actually add usable space. In an empty run, the only space a bird can use is the floor - 2 dimensional space. But add a platform, and you have the space under the platform and on top of platform, basically doubling the space, plus adding some exercise, and a space to get away from other birds. Even a roost, adds usable space for the birds.

So add clutter to runs, more is much better than too little.

Mrs K

I think your ideas are excellent for many reasons. Chickens need stimulation too! I live in a coastal area and I'm gonna start collecting interesting pieces of driftwood for my chickens to get up on, or under, or behind (if they're getting the stink eye from fellow boarders).

 

[Mrs. K]

Chickens need stimulation too! I live in a coastal area and I'm gonna start collecting interesting pieces of dr

I agree. It just makes it much more interesting. And If I am introducing new birds, I rearrange it, or if the seasons change, I rearrange it, or if I am adding chicks. Just discombobulates everyone a little bit, and things settle better together.

 

[Ladies-Eight]

I have just increased my run size and am in the process of redoing the run.

I have lots of things to add or redistribute in the run.

 

[Duckduckgoosie]

This is so smart and helpful, I’ve been sort of stumbling towards this method but am excited to be intentional. Three olders and five babies, we could use some stink eye escapes for sure. Thank you!

 

[Ladies-Eight]

I am in the process of redesigning the run.

I have some bird feeders, cinder blocks, a crock, a chair frame, a table frame, pieces of wood, and pallets.

I am still looking to see which tree would give me a good set of branches to plant in the run as a tree.

 

[Duckduckgoosie]

I am in the process of redesigning the run.

I have some bird feeders, cinder blocks, a crock, a chair frame, a table frame, pieces of wood, and pallets.

I am still looking to see which tree would give me a good set of branches to plant in the run as a tree.

I have a little Pomegranate we planted in the space before chickens- it has chicken wire around it in hopes that it will stay alive despite them

 

[BlessedChaosHomestead]

Omgosh! Lovely ideas! Idk that clutter is their best friend but it makes sense. My guys definitely seem bored. And heck they won’t even scratch around for food. They want it from the bowl only.