Andy T Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 Hi, I have been wondering...What do I do to entertain a chicken? Ifyou have (had) any ideas that they would'nt mind sharing with me that have worked with you I would really appreciate it! Cheers, ~Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 I have images of tap dancing/performing for chickens They're generally happy eating, pecking, and scratching and don't need entertaining. If they're just in the omlet run you could let them freerange (supervised?), feed treats, hide food in a dust bath, hang up greens in a wire holder so they can peck at them, hang up CDs to peck at. I discovered they will follow me round the garden, which was entertaining for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 ermmm...sing her a song? Mine are only allowed out of their Eglu run when I'm around, so I try to break their monotony by providing: Pecka Blocks: available here dangly cd on a rope (they peck that too) hanging up cabbage leaves etc. corn on the cob a log in their run to sit on a dust bath (cat litter tray). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy T Posted August 1, 2006 Author Share Posted August 1, 2006 Lucky... Can you post the image here? And we have tried tying food on string for them to peck at-it was gone within an hour! I will try the "following round the garden" thing soon, but they are not out of the Eglu yet, but will be in about 4-6 days. Thanks for the advice, ~Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy T Posted August 1, 2006 Author Share Posted August 1, 2006 Ok... We have a Dust Bath, but is sand OK? I like the sound of these"PeckaBlocks"! Im sure i can find a few CD'S to hang up for them... is it the shine they like? Do you mean the normal corn on the cob, or the sun-dried one from pet shops? We have a plant pot for them to perch on, does that do the job? As i said in my other post, we tried hanging up lcabbage and it was gone within an hour! Thanks for the ideas, ~Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 Sorry, long day, I meant your post title made me think in my head of tap dancing etc. That would be some image I'm not sure how entertained THEY are by following me You don't need to worry about entertaining, they should be happy on their own if they have food etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 Yep: Raw corn on the cob. My guys go mad for it! Sand is good.... you could always put some lice powder in it too: Does a great job of keeping them at bay whilst your girls enjoy themselves! I think the CD is just the reflection. I remember my granny's budgie used to have a mirror in her cage: same reason I guess.... The first peck a block I bought lasted about 4 weeks, but not they know what to do: they only last about 2 weeks, so quite expensive. I do remember a thread a while ago about cheaper alternatives to it...I'll go hunt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 Here you go: Pecka block discussion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy T Posted August 1, 2006 Author Share Posted August 1, 2006 Ok... I had a quick look through the peck a block discussion... quite interesting, might buy one. And... What is lice powder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 Powder to get rid of lice (there are different brands of it and some do other parasites too). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 Andy, I've Pm'd you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy T Posted August 1, 2006 Author Share Posted August 1, 2006 Just replying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 Yep: Raw corn on the cob. Like they're going to get anywhere near it in our house My guys go mad for it! So do we Maybe when there's a glut in the shops...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 I love it too, but must admit to buying at least 6 cobs a week just for the girls..... however, I've spotted some growing down the road, so there could be some late night doggie walks happening very soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 Annie how could you!!! Good on ya girl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 I love it too, but must admit to buying at least 6 cobs a week just for the girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 sshhh.... don't tell anyone, ok? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 Your secret is safe with me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy T Posted August 1, 2006 Author Share Posted August 1, 2006 Should I Try hiding the food, or will they just get annoyed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy T Posted August 1, 2006 Author Share Posted August 1, 2006 Anyone there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 Andy i have never tried hiding food for the chooks they may never find it, I do sprinkle mixed corn on the ground and this keep them entertained scratching around and picking out their fav. bits............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy T Posted August 1, 2006 Author Share Posted August 1, 2006 Thanks, i was thinking of half burying it in their dust bath, or under some straw. we also put lettuce outside the cage on the lower bits and let them reach up and get them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 Should I Try hiding the food, or will they just get annoyed? How can you tell if a chicken is annoyed? Just wondering thats all. I hide food for my dogs and they love hunting it out so chickens might like it too. Give it a go and see what they think it should keep them occupied for a while. There was a post on here recently about cucumber bobbing - tray of water and chopped up cucumber in it - appartenly the chooks loved it! Give this a go too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy T Posted August 1, 2006 Author Share Posted August 1, 2006 Should I Try hiding the food, or will they just get annoyed? How can you tell if a chicken is annoyed? Just wondering thats all. I dunno... Noise?? I'll give it a try Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy T Posted August 1, 2006 Author Share Posted August 1, 2006 I like the sound of this cucumber thing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
