More natural run set up?

[Ilovemychicks08]

I have 4 hens and a pullet at the moment.
I plan on rehoming one.
My pullet is being picked on a lot, her comb was pretty much black yesterday due to them pecking at her. Where as 3 days ago it wasnt like this. She doesnt have a buddy as all of her hatch mates were cockerels. but im hoping one of my chicks turns out to be a pullet and they will get along. I did seperate them for now.
She did just start laying yesterday as well.

Coop is a 6 ft x 4 ft = 24 sq ft
Run is 16 ft x 10 ft = 160 sq ft
Under the coop(dust bathing area) is 6 x 5 ft = 30 sq ft

I have a second intergration coop in there that is a 4 x 4, 16 sq ft. That is being took away in the run. Im thinking about moving it out of the run.
I already have dust bath, bike tire, roosting bar, i throw scratch grains on the ground once a week. Or grass/ vegetables in every other day.

Does anyone have any natural run ideas for hiding spots? Or just things to add to the run to stop boredom?

Thanks in advance

 

[GirlsHuntToo]

Possibly bushes...

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

Possibly bushes...

Like berry bushes or just plain bushes?

 

[GirlsHuntToo]

Like berry bushes or just plain bushes?

I think berry bushes would be fun for them because it provides some food as well, but be sure that the bush's leaves and berries are not poisonous to chickens.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

I think berry bushes would be fun for them because it provides some food as well, but be sure that the bush's leaves and berries are not poisonous to chickens.

I could grow a few potted blueberries bushes and then put them in there and remove them when i need to.

We already have strawberries planted so they will be getting some of those this summer.

Thanks !

 

[GirlsHuntToo]

I could grow a few potted blueberries bushes and then put them in there and remove them when i need to.

We already have strawberries planted so they will be getting some of those this summer.

Thanks !

Awesome! Glad I could help, you are welcome!

 

[Rose the Legbar]

You can add some tree stumps or other branches from trees to add clutter and things for them to do.

 

[littlecoopnextdoor]

If you can fit them, a few small bushes in buried pots would be a nice start! if you cut the bottom of the pot and half bury it, you'll have a little chicken proof circle around it so they don't uproot it. Try haskap berries! They are very early to fruit (even before strawberries) and birds LOVE them. I really love them too, they taste like a mix between raspberry and blueberry. Try a local fruit tree nursery near you but here is what I'm talking about, I have this variety and it's yummy.

Another suggestion - elderberry. Grows very fast and chickens LOVE the berries as they drop off. I have a number of them in my yard and they're a favourite for shady summer spots as the bushes sort of bend down under the weight of the berries, making nice hiding spots.

Hope that helps!

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

You can add some tree stumps or other branches from trees to add clutter and things for them to do.

If you can fit them, a few small bushes in buried pots would be a nice start! if you cut the bottom of the pot and half bury it, you'll have a little chicken proof circle around it so they don't uproot it. Try haskap berries! They are very early to fruit (even before strawberries) and birds LOVE them. I really love them too, they taste like a mix between raspberry and blueberry. Try a local fruit tree nursery near you but here is what I'm talking about, I have this variety and it's yummy.

Another suggestion - elderberry. Grows very fast and chickens LOVE the berries as they drop off. I have a number of them in my yard and they're a favourite for shady summer spots as the bushes sort of bend down under the weight of the berries, making nice hiding spots.

Hope that helps!

Thanks for the ideas!

 

[littlecoopnextdoor]

Thanks for the ideas!

quite welcome