theherd123 Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Just wondered what other people have in their runs to keep their chooks amused? It was only until i was reintroducing Flump that i set up the eglu run inside the bigger run the hen hotel. The girls love jumping on the top of it and parading up & down. I also have a pile of branches, a bale of straw, and a garden chair. What else could i add to keep them happy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SillyClucker Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 take it you've got a dust bath? ours love theirs and it also helps against parasites Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted February 24, 2007 Author Share Posted February 24, 2007 I dont have a dust bath as such they just plonk themselves in the hemcore where they fancy. Can you hang CDs up for them do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 I hang up bunches of Spring Greens for the Hens to peck at. I bought a wild bird feeder designed to hold fat balls, I pack it really tightly with spinach, bits of apple, tomatoes, cucucumber. It takes them ages to release the food and its very entertaining watching the feeder being swung about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Emma, I hung CDs up but they don't bother with them. i also bought a wild bird feeder as Ali suggested, but it was the square block type holder. I fill it with greens and hang it up. takes them 3 mins to strip it bare! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel19 Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Our seem most entertained by food - preferably live........they like to show off their greedy murderous sides every so often bless their little cotton (or should that be mud?) socks! I know this may sound gross but we gave them a cup full of frog spawn today - the pond is full of it and it never does anything. They had a great time running around with bits of it in their beaks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted February 24, 2007 Author Share Posted February 24, 2007 Christian are you sure you own chickens and not veloceraptors?? Wont bother with the CDs then - thought they would preen themselves in front of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Mine pecked all the silver off a CD.... don't know how! After being inspired by Mel last weekend, mine have a new favourite hobby: Its called eat the raw brussels sprouts off the swingy thingy..... Buy a stem of them, string it up and watch the fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted February 24, 2007 Author Share Posted February 24, 2007 I will get one next time im at the market Annie. It sounds a bit like sweetcorn swingball - the girls love that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Fab. I was thinking about this today when I was sorting out the extension. Will be getting some sprouts too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannie Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Ours didn't go for sprouts or a little birdy mirror. The liked a peckablock at first. The like a dropper bottle, but prefer raindrops! They do like a branch to perch on and a small log to pose on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Christian are you sure you own chickens and not veloceraptors?? . They do stalk me when its feeding time! The best thing is a dust bath! I bought a cheap cat litter tray from Lidl (went in with dark glasses and a head scarf), filled it with dry compost, sand and some red mite powder and they love it! They queue up to use it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matter Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 I put sultanas,corn,etc in a hollow bobbly rubber ball from a pet shop thats sold for keeping dogs entertained. It takes them ages to keep "kicking" it around to get the treats out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 Thanks for the posting Mike! I had thought of this but wasn't sure if it would work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted February 25, 2007 Author Share Posted February 25, 2007 I put sultanas,corn,etc in a hollow bobbly rubber ball from a pet shop thats sold for keeping dogs entertained. It takes them ages to keep "kicking" it around to get the treats out Do you mean a Kong? I have them for the bears but not thought about the chooks Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 OOh - I have a treat ball for the dog - she just whines at it until I give in and give it to her in the end....I could wash it out and then it could be chicken treat ball - full of nice sweetcorn and grapes and things - they would like that I think...good plan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynn in Bristol Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 Mine have got a playhouse with a slide in their (larger) run, but they never use it. At least not when I'm looking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
