[3ps]

Hi all,

I am interested in hearing (and seeing pics of) things that you have put into your runs to keep your hens amused.

So far I have thought of:

- a raised platform so the hens can see out into our garden
- some perches outside the hen house
- a hanging chain I can put a corn on the cob on, or one of those metal cages you can put food into
- a section of the run that is covered in wood chippings (I have an almost unlimited supply!)

Any other ideas?

[Aunt Sally]

A wood pile where bugs can hide and occasionally get caught 

And don't forget a big plastic tub for a dust bath (shower or soap not needed).

[dizzylizzie]

i have read they like shiny things... i.e  c.d's or mirrors- dont know if its true though because i havent got my girls yet, and i suppose it depends on the chicken. what looks interesting to one may not interest another

[nzdunn]

ive been mulling over this aswell,  so i hung some cds up in the garden, only a couple, there not interested in them atall, im on the look out for a nice big log now to put in there run for them.   nickyx

[tonethebone]

I'm thinking of getting one of these

http://www.domesticfowltrust.co.uk/products/info_pb.html

[nzdunn]

yeah ive seen them aswell, they look good dont they, i wonder how long they would last though and if they are tough enough to be mauled by hens.   nickyx

[Sassy]

i have read they like shiny things... i.e  c.d's or mirrors- dont know if its true though because i havent got my girls yet, and i suppose it depends on the chicken. what looks interesting to one may not interest another

I tried CD's after seeing Hugh FW using them but I agree my hens have taken no notice of them whatsoever.

[RoyMK]

I looked at the pekka block but nearly £8.00 is taking the pist in my opinion.


Does anyone use the standard wild bird fat balls?  These are very cheap but are they OK for hens?  If their OK for wild birds I cant see why my girls cant have them.

Unless anyone knows different?

[joyfull]

There is too much fat in them for chickens. Wild birds are often short of food and this helps to keep them going whereas our birds are all fed daily.

[andreadon]

yeah, ours don't notice the cds either.
they've got an old tyre to walk on, lots of bits of wood lying around etc etc.

[flangey]

When we had the rain at the beginning of the week, mine liked scratching through all the wet gravel and stones from my drive!  So I got a bucket full off the drive and chucked them over a pile over dirt in their run and they love it!

[animal mad]

hi, i m really new at this chicken keeping but i have just put a bale of straw in with my 3 week old chicks and they are really happy jumping on it, and generally having lots of fun. Not sure if an adult will be so happy but worth a try.

[Callie]

tried CDs.. no interest, we put a large mirror against one side and often catch them admiring themselves  

We bought one of those cage bird feeder thingies and hung it up and stuff it with lettuce, they love it, but we have a log nearby that one will stand on to reach the higher bits and the others look like they are trying to knock her off as they grab it and swing it at her. 



We also put a perch in the run and they play musical chairs with it, only 1 allowed on it at a time