Dangri Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 I can't quite believe it but I think my girls are bored... they keep pacing the run ALL the time In one week they've devoured all the grass that was in the run, they get through their treats in seconds (well 's does anyway!) and I can't keep giving them treats (defeats the purpose of having a treat!!). We've tried giving them leaves etc and hanging them from the run, as I can't let them out of the run during the day as we're not in... Can someone help suggesting something as I can't bear to think that they're bored... they've only been with us for 2 weeks has also not layed us any 's yet either... my hubby's getting a little narked at her free loading too Anyone got any ideas pls? Dxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky1 Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 Hi Dangri A couple of thoughts/questions. - Do they pace all the time or just when they can see you? If its the latter this is quite common. Try checking on them from somewhere that you are u"Ooops, word censored!"served. - How many chooks, what type and in how big a run? Do they FR? - You mentioned that they have not laid yet - do you know how old they are? - Also what sort of weather have you been having - if it has been really hot that may delay them a little. You could try and make the space a bit more interesting with a couple of different levels - chooks love things to hop up and climb on -- even a broomstick supported each side of the bars. Hope this is of some use Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dangri Posted July 12, 2010 Author Share Posted July 12, 2010 Aww bless, thanks for coming back to me. In answer to your questions:- 1. I'm at home in the morning tomorrow so I'll see if they're pacing when I'm not about (will watch them from the window) 2. I've got 2 chooks, and have the classic eglu and standard run. We usually let them free range in the evenings when we're back from work, after a while they'll let themselves back into the run, and then off to bed in the eglu (they're quite good like that ) 3. has been laying every day since we got her (she's 26 weeks now), but hasn't laid at all (she's 21 weeks now) 4. We live in Newbury, West Berkshire - so it's been quite hot or muggy... still hasn't stopped from laying though, just I love the idea of the broomstick, I'll try that. I also read something about hanging CDs up, so I'll try that too. I've left a couple of blocks of wood in their run which they seem to stumble over every now and again Many thanks for your help - will definately get the broomstick happening tomorrow morning ) Dxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 Hi, I think they are just pacing because of the treats, they really know how to make you feel guilty Mine do it as soon as they hear OH car door. I would keep the treats for evening and hang veg up for them. I sew string through cabbage, beans, lettuce, broc and cauli stems anything left over and they peck at that. I've got quite a few perches for them so they have different levels and put them in their way so they have to work at getting round them. A dust bath gives them something different to dig in if they wont dustbath in it and they'll enjoy sitting on the rim while the others are in. I've seen someone else post a picture of their run where they have split the floor and put gravel in one part, earth in another, grass in another so they have different textures to dig in. I'll get round to it sometime and divide it with a couple of layers of bricks. My OH made them a swing but luckily they don't use it or they'd end up with broken legs or knock each other out It does look good though, I hang veg from it. Hang millet that works as well. When you cut back shrubs and trees you can throw the branches in so they can rummage through them for insects. Can't think of anything else for now. I did put a mirror tile up but they ignored it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunkydoory Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 Mine have colourful pig pong balls (cat toys) suspended on string from the run roof at various heights to knock about, I also put them into the glug - they spend ages trying to fish them out Mine particularly like cuttle fish, it takes the three of them 1 - 2 days to kill one of these off! They also have some grass and some earth. The grass has an old wired shelf from one of those plastic mini greenhouses over it so that they can graze but not rake it all up. But eventually after years of having the rest of the garden abused I built a run extension so that they have extra space during the day (additional 1.5x2.5 meter). In the extension they have a shady shrub, a miniture apple tree, soil, grass, perches and a small bug hotel (conifer logs stacked in a lattice) this is a particularly favorite place to root around in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 Mine pace up and down the run everytime they see me but as soon as I am out of sight they go back to happily scratching about, I watched them from an upstairs window. They have now started pacing in thier fenced off FR area, as said they associate you with treats. Mine get extras in the evening or only during the day if I want to get them back in the run if I'm going out. chickens can be very manipulative as you are finding out. Wouldn't be without them though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 Ikea shoe racks cable-tied together make good perches . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
