[Blarney]

Further to last week's email about my lovely Margo being taken by a fox, my husband has now built a huge extention for the girls which means they won't need to come out mid week after dark.  Unless Mr Fox comes with a screwdriver he won't be getting in this baby.  The run is more than double the size and has a cute little shelter at the end that looks like a bus shelter!

I'd like to put some bits in there to stimulate them as they look pretty bored with just grass (soon to be just mud) to walk around in.  I've heard mirrors are good.

Can you give me some ideas please? 

Thanks x

[Vember]

Hi Blarney

Short term (they will need replacing) if you can find any logs?, especially with moss on. They love to peck at all the insects in there and when they are done if it has little nooks & crannies in every so often you could keep one in the run a pop some dried mealworms in the nooks

Mirrors are good or even a string of cd's hanging.
You could hang a cabbage up.

Another idea is to pop a largish stone in, after a week move it whilst the birds are out. Underneath there will be worms & insects that'll keep them busy for a while. Shout them too you before you move it though as the grubs will soon vanish

An apple cut in to quarters popped in will also give them plenty to do

A branch for them to climb up, again if it has moss on even better

Do they have a bathing area? They always go down well

Sarah

[Blarney]

Wow thank you Sarah!  I can certainly put all of those things in. I have read on here about a sandpit or mud bath and mine love sitting in the flowerbed at the end of the garden.  They look really filthy when they come out but it's great to watch.
I'll give it a go.
Thanks very much
x

[aspirant]

I have read that a straw bale in the run can keep them busy.
I've not tried it yet but I guess they can hop on and off, pull bits of straw out and peck at any grains of wheat left on the stalks.

I bet it would make a lovely mess so maybe not suitable unless you have space!

[Blarney]

What a good idea!  I could tie smaller bunches up.
By the time I've finished it's going to be a Poultry Alton Towers!!!

[Jane-M]

Yes straw - when it was icy for weeks I put half a bale down for the sake of their frozen feet - they loved it, pecked. scratched, ate up grains, chucked it at each other. Amazing. Mine hate the hung up cabbage, they spook when it swings at them, so they have theirs impaled on a 3 inch nail driven into one of their outdoor perches.

They usually dust bath under the hedge, but one of them decided to have a good old session one day in the new wood shavings in the coop - so dust/sand bath a definite must.

[andreadon]

you've probably got enough ideas - sarah, that's a brilliant list!

ours also have an old tyre.
and a football (but they don't go near it cos it frightens them when it moves!) 

yeah, tree branches; on the ground, but also you could secure them to the wall, like a jungle gym.

and layers - maybe make some kind of table or high shelf.

don't forget the feeders and drinkers too!
(ours like muddy puddles)