Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: dancing trousers on March 30, 2012, 10:51

Title: How to keep them from being bored?
Post by: dancing trousers on March 30, 2012, 10:51

Firstly hello properly.  I'm a brand new chicken keeper/owner/lover coming up for the week 2 anniversary of having my girls.  An Amber Lee (Sookie), A Black Star (Mrs Peckles) and a Bluebelle (Big Bird).  I worry that they may get bored, they have a fairly spacious enclosure and go free range in the garden every couple of days (once I've done the tedious chook proofing procedure!). Would an 'activity centre' be good?  They rush to the front of the netting whenever I appear, partly cupboard love I'm sure (where's the corn, where's the corn!) but I'm sure it's also because they're mad keen to get out into the garden again.  All advice would be welcome.

Title: Re: How to keep them from being bored?
Post by: chookboy on March 31, 2012, 15:17

Our girls have a perfectly reasonable large run, but insist that come 8 o'clock, it is their legal right to roam the whole garden. They sit in the run crowing until they are let out!

When they do have to stay in the run and believe that there is no-one around to let them out, they behave perfectly 'chickenly' - scratting, dustbathing, etc

I think once you've given them free-run, that is it!!! They'll not be content with being confined, no matter how large the area.
I also find I have an entourage when I'm in the garden - whether I come bearing gifts or not! They follow me everywhere, just in case some mealworms drop from my pockets.

Title: Re: How to keep them from being bored?
Post by: compostqueen on March 31, 2012, 15:32

They do like to be entertained  :)  I used to rearrange their straw bales for them to keep them busy and gave them a weekly weed pile to play in. Dust bath too of course is required.  They like plants and shrubs to hide in, plastic garden chairs to sit on (I kid you not  :lol:)  Mine had a huge viewing window so they didn't miss any comings and goings  :)  they do like a cabbage etc to peck at as well, and a sweetcorn cob will keep them, and you amused, for ages  :)

Title: Re: How to keep them from being bored?
Post by: dancing trousers on March 31, 2012, 19:33

Thanks folks, that's good advice and Chookboy I think you're right, mine have had a taste of the wider world and they shout to be let out into the garden (which they then trash!).  Love the sweetcorn cob idea, I shall get on to that.