Unimpressed chickens- bored in the run

[CrockChickens9]

I just put this new ladder, platform and roost on one side of our run to add more usable space and break up visualization while we integrate chicks and their cage is in there for look don’t touch. I also thought it would long term be nice even when we remove the cage. My two big girls are unimpressed and don’t seem interested in it. Is it too high for them? They don’t seem keen on using the ladder. I put treats up there and placed them up to explore after noticing they had not done anything with it yet. They ate and jumped down. While the big girls were free ranging I let the littles out in the run and they were all about it. Which is good because I’m imagining putting an alternative food and water source up there for integration and maybe the chicks can hang up there to get away but in the long run will bigger chickens not use this? I’m new to chickens and their behavior but I feel like my big chickens turn their nose up at anything I do for entertainment in the run. I put a dust bath bin in and the do not put a foot in it and some branches to explore… nothing. Am I picking the wrong things? Just trying to keep them entertained because unfortunately predators are high here and they can only free range for about two hours a day and even then I’m running out to put them in from hawks. Is this common? Any thoughts on things that may peak their interest? Thanks!

 

[Cheekychook11]

I’d hang up a lettuce or something to peck at, can you tell that they are bored? My chickens are often quite lazy and don’t use perches very often, but are always motivated by food

 

[Bawkbok]

Things to perch on are great. We put a tree limb that has a big crook in it so it sort of makes an S shape. They use that all the time. One walks it like she's on a balance beam. We also have a flower pot filled with dirt, they all love laying in that, a chair (more for me than them), a couple of solid stumps (cut up tree limbs), they use all of it to perch, jumping from one thing to another. Anything to provide exercise and options works and they may be using it more than you see. Some people use a hanging container for treats, vegetables, etc. That one didn't work for us. Just try different things. I found you can't make too many changes to frequently or they sort of stress over sudden and drastic changes. Give them a week or so to get used to something new. Congratulations on your new flock.

 

[rosemarythyme]

That's a cool platform. It'll actually come in handy with the chicks, as I've noticed chicks are much more likely to use vertical space compared to adults, so it provides a pretty decent "escape" option for little ones once they start mingling with older birds. You can even put a feeder and waterer up there at that point.

 

[aart]

Give them time...do not expect instant gratification.

 

[CrockChickens9]

I can definitely give it some time. I was just kind of kicking myself thinking maybe I should have asked around about the design before just going ahead with it. We will see. I can see how it could benefit the chicks during integration so not a complete waste. I have hung lettuce and they don’t touch it. I am surprised that they show little interest in treats other than the dried bugs I give to train them to get back to safety quick. They don’t eat scrap veggies. I do give them micro greens scattered that they will eat lazily at times but definitely not excited about it. I waited until the they were full grown to introduce any type of treat outside of the growing crumbles. Not sure if that affected things. As nature intended they just want to free range all day. I wish I could but I can’t stomach just feeding them to the predators. I lost 4 before they even reached maturity. They would be gone within a week this time of year. Thank you for all the advice! I’ll take it easy and let things settle!

 

[Seaslug]

What breed of chickens do you have? I think breed has a role in taking to novel foods. Some breeds are noted to be good foragers -- they are the ones that are more likely to try something and decide that they like it. Then, they teach the other, less adventurous ones to take part. That is how our chickens learned to eat heads of cabbage and pumpkins and the like.
All of our chickens enjoy roosting on natural branches that I have up between two pallets in the run. They also enjoy dust and sun bathing, but they usually have to pick the place. I have stumps set up that they can jump up on, and they do. Now that I think about it, I guess it could use a bit more... Good luck. And do give them time.

 

[D13]

I've learned that you can't force chickens to do things; patience is key when it comes to them. I say give them time, you'll probably see them inspecting them at some point. Also those new chicks you were talking about will probably use it when they grow up. If the first hens aren't impressed, maybe the second generation will be. Once again, patience is key

 

[GuineaMania]

I know you don't quite have a dirt run but have you tried grass boxes?
(Link)

 

[D13]

I know you don't quite have a dirt run but have you tried grass boxes?
(Link)

I didn't know that was a thing. Cool!