Wild Bird Proofing Our Personal Coop

[stvcoops]

We recently expanded our personal chicken coop by a lot, since we don't want the hens free ranging anymore, until the bird flu is under control. The last thing we'd want to have happen, is to euthanize our entire flock.

Our poor hens are so restless, and agitated because they've all free ranged until recently.

What are some ways to keep the hens entertained while being confined 100% of the time, in the enclosed run? I'm seriously considering building them a jungle gym.

 

[Debbie292d]

We recently expanded our personal chicken coop by a lot, since we don't want the hens free ranging anymore, until the bird flu is under control. The last thing we'd want to have happen, is to euthanize our entire flock.

Our poor hens are so restless, and agitated because they've all free ranged until recently.

What are some ways to keep the hens entertained while being confined 100% of the time, in the enclosed run? I'm seriously considering building them a jungle gym.

Hanging edible things safely within their reach, such as a bunch of Kale, a cabbage, etc.

If you can find a branch that fell out of a tree, we put one in our breeding pen and they enjoyed foraging under it and perched in it. It maybe had bugs on it too.

 

[Turd bird]

We recently expanded our personal chicken coop by a lot, since we don't want the hens free ranging anymore, until the bird flu is under control. The last thing we'd want to have happen, is to euthanize our entire flock.

Our poor hens are so restless, and agitated because they've all free ranged until recently.

What are some ways to keep the hens entertained while being confined 100% of the time, in the enclosed run? I'm seriously considering building them a jungle gym.

you did a good job on that coop

 

[stvcoops]

Hanging edible things safely within their reach, such as a bunch of Kale, a cabbage, etc.

If you can find a branch that fell out of a tree, we put one in our breeding pen and they enjoyed foraging under it and perched in it. It maybe had bugs on it too.

Great idea! Thanks

 

[aart]

I prefer not to use food as 'entertainment'....can cause other issues.
looks like you have lots of space for other distractions/enrichment's.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[linguini]

If you have leaves or garden wastes or even straws that you can throw into the coop - they'll love to dig and scratch around.

 

[linguini]

Beautiful coop and enclosed run! Lucky chickens!
If you throw in leaves, garden wastes, or straws into the enclosed run, they'll love to dig ad scratch around.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you have leaves or garden wastes or even straws that you can throw into the coop - they'll love to dig and scratch around.

While this is a good idea there's the low risk that anything that's added also has a potential of bringing in dander or poop from wild birds, which is why trying to exclude exposure to avian flu might be hard.

Obviously if you're sourcing from your own property/close to your set up then chances are your birds have already been exposed to anything that's there, but something to be aware of, especially if materials are sourced from elsewhere.

 

[Companihen]

It's so hard... my chickens are absolutely fed up with being stuck in the run too. Its not too bad a size but it's rubbish compared to the whole garden they used to have with all the bushes, wooded area, grass and of course our back door to gaze into and sit next to for their afternoon doze. Appreciate any ideas too... I do chuck my garden leaves and weeds etc in sometimes but I agree with the other poster that you may as well let them free range if you do that