Stedic Posted May 23, 2010 Share Posted May 23, 2010 Hi everyone, I'm just wondering about what I could ut in the run to keep the girls entertained when they're not able to free-range. I tried hanging some broccoli up, but they didn't touch it! Dandelions kept them amused for about 5 mins, then they got bored! What would you suggest? Also, how do you hang it up - is there not a risk they would get tangled if I used string? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 23, 2010 Share Posted May 23, 2010 cabbage and spinich are good Those square 'cages' that you put wild bird cakes in are excellent for greens but I tend to just chuck half a cabbage straight in the run - if you do this remember to take any leftovers (as if!) out later as wilted greens on the floor arent very sanitary in a run Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted May 23, 2010 Share Posted May 23, 2010 I have a chain which hangs from the top of the run (would also work on an Eglu or Cube run) with a screw hook in the end. I just screw the screwy bit onto the hard end of the veg & let it hang for them. Its a bit like chicken Swingball Sweetcorn,Broccoli,Cucumber & big lettuce works well,but mine are not too keen on cabbage. They will eat it - its just not a favourite! Any salad,tomatoes,carrot peelings & the like just get chucked in for them to pick at from the floor. Watermelon rinds are good too,& courgettes,marrow.....................almost anything really! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted May 23, 2010 Share Posted May 23, 2010 Hi, when i was unable to let them FR, I hung up fat balls for wild birds, and tie cooked meat to the sides of the run.. THEY LOVED IT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted May 23, 2010 Share Posted May 23, 2010 About once a week, I fill about 4 of these with greens and whatever is going limp in the fridge: Yesterday there were some spring greens, a few soft cherry tomatoes, cauliflower leaves, strawberry tops, end of cucumber and some limp celery.....kept them going for ages. It's fun to watch too, as you normally get a couple of them pecking away at them and the savvy ones waiting underneath waiting for the food to fall! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppers77 Posted May 23, 2010 Share Posted May 23, 2010 For our girls it's cabbage & sweetcorn only please. They've tried brocolis, letuce, tomatoes & a ton of other things which they turn their noses up at! I leave them half a cabage & frozen seetcorn cobs which keeps them happy all day. I tried them out as it's so hot - home alone today - got home to find them in the rubekia!! Naughty girls! So back to normal tommorow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 23, 2010 Share Posted May 23, 2010 The first time I hung up a bolted broccoli plant, they turned up their beaks for about a day. Then they suddenly got the hang of it, and now anything green goes in no time. I use a 'suet cage' like the one shown above for loose s"Ooops, word censored!"s, leftovers etc - sometimes I just chuck them on the floor of the run, but putting them in a feeder keeps them busy because they have to peck at it. If it's a whole head of broccoli etc then I just tie it up with string. Someone on here uses a string bag, I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted May 24, 2010 Share Posted May 24, 2010 Hi, when i was unable to let them FR,I hung up fat balls for wild birds, and tie cooked meat to the sides of the run.. THEY LOVED IT. These balls are a bit too fatty for hens - sorry They do love them,but fresh greenery is MUCH better for them in the long term. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
