Suzeb Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 With the weather being so bad and it getting dark so early my girls are getting very little free ranging time or much in the way of attention apart from at the weekend. I am worried since this is only the start of winter. Any ideas how to make their lives more interesting? They also seem to have gone on egg strike since the nights have started drawing in - probably fed up with the lack of TLC. Sounds silly but is there anything that I can construct to entertain them a bit? Suze Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 Some perches are appreciated, as is hanging some corn on the cob or cabbages to entertain them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 I hang these from the runs and fill them with apples, pears, etc. http://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/shop/product.html?product_id=51&-session=shopper:518D20EB18f4134809VtmmDD5FB4 My girls love them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 A mobile made of old CD's also gets a lot of attention from the girls - they like to peck at their reflections/admire themselves We hang up corn of the cob/cabbagte leaves etc at varying heights and places in the WIR, the girls have to work out how to get to each of the treat, which keeps them entertained for at least a little while! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 Don't feel bad suzeb, lots of us are in the same position. This week it has finally been too dark when I got in from work to let them out at all, and of course after the clocks change on Sunday there's no chance. It will be weekends only! All the ideas above - perches, dustbath, things hung up in the run. It's also good to give them some greens in the winter - cabbage, cauliflower leaves, etc, as they can't get out to eat grass. This year I have bought a dog treat ball - it's a plastic ball that you can hide food in, and they have to kick it around to get the treats out. I'm hoping that this, with corn or sunflower seeds or something like that in, will keep them entertained during the day. However I wouldn't worry too much. As long as they have a garden to look at, and each other to talk to, your chickens will be happy, I think the lack of free-ranging bothers us much more than it bothers them. The shortage of eggs has got more to do with the short daylight hours than any discontent on their part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 Only good thing is maybe the grass will now have a chance to grow before they distroy it all again + WIR Lavender Mabel Posh Marjorie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzeb Posted October 23, 2009 Author Share Posted October 23, 2009 Thanks for the suggestions - will go out and get lots of chicken goodies to cheer them up ! Suze Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 They will probably settle better because its more of a routine and they will know they are not coming out any minute. You'll have lots of fun at weekends. I got mine in November last year and had to get to know them with short evenings and working full time. I don't think it took any longer than people in the summer. I have never spent that amount of time in the garden all winter before and never caught colds or flu so must be healthier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
