Seeking Ideas for Chicken Pen with Fun Features

[pine_lore]

Hi All,

I've built this ~8ft cube (pic below) as the predator proof pen for my chickens. It still needs some more work but the predator proof aspects are as good as I can get them. Huzzah!

I'd like to add in some more chicken entertainment to this place. Since this pen is so tall I was thinking about adding in ramps and roosts that go up higher. Is this something chickens would like? Would it be dangerous if they fell off a high roost or can they handle a ~6ft fall (if that happened). Any thoughts or ideas on how to make this pen more entertaining in a vertical way would be awesome!

Thanks

 

[3KillerBs]

Here are a few links for you:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-“chickens-101”-articles-don’t-mention.76003/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

If you put roosts in the run that are higher than the roosts in the coop there is a chance that the chickens will try to sleep out there.

Also, in re: roost height, chickens fly up and down from their roosts at about a 45-degree angle so they'll need a landing zone about the same distance from the wall as the roost is high.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

That's awesome! Maybe get some branches to put together for them to climb and roost on. Also maybe a little chicken wire fenced herb garden for them.(that pic is when I first put it in)Can't forget a good dust bath, lol. These are things I have that definitely entertain them

 

[pine_lore]

Here are a few links for you:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/blocks-bricks-and-pavers-the-critical-chicken-keeping-equipment-the-“chickens-101”-articles-don’t-mention.76003/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

If you put roosts in the run that are higher than the roosts in the coop there is a chance that the chickens will try to sleep out there.

Also, in re: roost height, chickens fly up and down from their roosts at about a 45-degree angle so they'll need a landing zone about the same distance from the wall as the roost is high.

Thanks for sharing these. Also, very helpful to learn about the roosts possibly being an issue if they're higher than the coop's roosts. Did not know that!

 

[pine_lore]

That's awesome! Maybe get some branches to put together for them to climb and roost on. Also maybe a little chicken wire fenced herb garden for them.(that pic is when I first put it in)Can't forget a good dust bath, lol. These are things I have that definitely entertain them

I like the idea of having little stations for a dust bath, and herbs to pick/scratch at. Thank you!!