Yolky Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 I need help on making the run more fun. I have three chooks in a eglu and standard run. I will be getting a converter soon when my friend gets her cube. Anyway I would like hints to make it more fun. We are going to free range them (have bought the omlet netting) but as we are on holiday in a few weeks time we have decided it might be best not to free range them till we get back as once they have a taste of it they may hassle the chook sitter to let them out and that won't be possible. Once I get back I am going to get them into a routine of free ranging twice a day with treats to get them back in the run (don't want to leave them out while on school run) Anyway at the moment I have a branch in there which I have stuck through the bars so it is at an angle http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/owenbex/chickens14.jpg they seem to like it and huddle around it when they rest. I have bought some kids sand and a cat litter tray to make a dust bath. Is the cat litter tray deep enough or should I use something else. What sort of mix should I do with the earth and sand? I have some diatom on order so will add that to the mix when it comes. I have bought a treat ball from omlet so was thinking of hanging some veg in there in the evening. What else can I add to make it more interesting for them? I have heard about adding cds, is that a good idea? I am going to get some corn and give them a little in the afternoon so they have something to scratch about for. They are on grass at the moment and they are enjoying scratching about in that and (at the moment lol) they haven't done too much damage. I am going to move them tonight and rake up their area so they have new grass and the grass they are on at the moment gets a breather. All hints and tips greatfully recieved. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yolky Posted July 13, 2008 Author Share Posted July 13, 2008 btw as a side note. Last night after they had gone to bed I blased the poo in their run with the hose to help it soak in....was that the right thing to do to help keep it a bit fresh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombatally Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 Love the branch idea - I might have a wander down to the beach this afternoon and see if I can find one... I hang veggies on string for them and they love it. As for the dust bath I find that a smallish tub trug works better than a cat litter tray as you will have to refill a litter tray all the time!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 Get a couple of screw eyes,& some chain or tough string. Attatch the eye to the run top,hang the chain from it & attatch the other eye to the bottom,then screw the screw bit into a cabbage or a corn cob. HOURS of fun.as they pack it it swings away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NClaire Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 It might not fit in your run, but we have a child's wooden bench that we used to have in the garden and they seem to love it! They can perch on it, and go underneath the seat bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jess Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 I need help on making the run more fun. I have three chooks in a eglu and standard run. I will be getting a converter soon when my friend gets her cube. Anyway I would like hints to make it more fun. We are going to free range them (have bought the omlet netting) but as we are on holiday in a few weeks time we have decided it might be best not to free range them till we get back as once they have a taste of it they may hassle the chook sitter to let them out and that won't be possible. Once I get back I am going to get them into a routine of free ranging twice a day with treats to get them back in the run (don't want to leave them out while on school run) Anyway at the moment I have a branch in there which I have stuck through the bars so it is at an angle http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/owenbex/chickens14.jpg they seem to like it and huddle around it when they rest. I have bought some kids sand and a cat litter tray to make a dust bath. Is the cat litter tray deep enough or should I use something else. What sort of mix should I do with the earth and sand? I have some diatom on order so will add that to the mix when it comes. I have bought a treat ball from omlet so was thinking of hanging some veg in there in the evening. What else can I add to make it more interesting for them? I have heard about adding cds, is that a good idea? I am going to get some corn and give them a little in the afternoon so they have something to scratch about for. They are on grass at the moment and they are enjoying scratching about in that and (at the moment lol) they haven't done too much damage. I am going to move them tonight and rake up their area so they have new grass and the grass they are on at the moment gets a breather. All hints and tips greatfully recieved. Thank you. yolky the picture you supplied in this post made me laugh so loud! they look so cute next to the branch all sat together! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jess Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 oh and my cd exploded in the sun, add to that they completely ignored it and I would pretty much not recommend them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jess Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 It might not fit in your run, but we have a child's wooden bench that we used to have in the garden and they seem to love it! They can perch on it, and go underneath the seat bit. oh my gosh this picture made me laugh so much too itsl ike a perfect chicken sized bench!!!! awww its so lovely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 our girls have an overhead "activity branch", a big ole branch from a tree securely hung at chicken head height and from it hangs 1 broccoli, 1 corn on the cob, 1 seed bell and occasionally a string of millet - you could adapt to other veggies from time to time. Keeps them occupied for ages and as Cinnamon says its quite funny to watch them dodge the broccoli! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
