Chicken bald back

[heth1986]

My OH has just 'invented' a toy for the girls to have in their coop whilst we're not around. I'm not letting them FR unsupervised at the moment because they've only been here just over a week and I was concerned they may be getting a bit bored.

 

Anyway, he's filled a net (the kind you get your oranges / onions etc in from the supermarket) with grass and hung it in the run. We've had to make sure it's high enough that they can't get their feet tangled of course but they seem to absolutely love it They also now have a small cabbage head hanging in there that they're happily pecking away at and slowly demolishing!

 

I just wondered what other ideas people had for boredom breakers???

[jasperaliceuk]

Like you - hang greens up - haven't tried that net option. Make my own pecker blocks - they've been a big hit. Bought a chicken ball to kick around that dispenses treats but it is a bit lightweight and now broken. Going to buy a cat or dog version - they are sturdier. I've got the CD but they are ignored, as is a hanging wooden toy thing with a bell on it. Best value has been their climbing stuff - they love to go up, preen and sun themselves on it. Dust bath is a good'un too.

 

Sue

[Chortle Chook]

I think that net idea is brilliant. I've just been reading about how much chickens like and need grass and this is an excellent way to stop any grass I pick them, from getting trashed and muddied. Do you cut the grass up first to make sure it is short enough not to get stuck in their crop?

 

By the way, my chickens love a half coconut to peck at and roll around. They also like brussels on the stalk (but won't look at any that are not on the stalk).

[heth1986]

I'm liking the dog treat ball idea, can't believe i didn't think of that, my pooch has her breakfast out of one! She may have to go without for a few days whilst I trial it...

 

I haven't been chopping the grass up, I've been stuffing as much as I possibly can into it and as they pull it out it tends to break anyway. Plus the grass isn't overly long, I'm pulling it from the edge of my lawn where they mower doesn't get... 2 birds with one stone! For those of you who don't have grass in your coop, I'd highly recommend this, I've just been watching them with a new one (with meal worms hidden in there!!!), they love it bless them! I must go and buy some more onions so that i can make another!

[Leeloo]

Hmmm... I have one of those cat treat balls. My now-deceased tabby would roll it around to get treats out, but my calico thinks she shouldn't have to work for her treats! Maybe I'll drop some mealworms and sunflower seeds in it and toss it to the hens!

[Jenny Smedley]

Best thing I've found is a hanging metal spike thing (don't know correct name!) that u can push a cauli ,cabbage or other veg on to ,with a large nut underneath to stop the veg falling off- it's excellent. (I've just had a look on Ebay & Omlet but can't see one for sale) It hangs at the right height, no mess & keeps the hens occupied for hours as well as giving them their greens. I have a smaller version in my parrots cage . Have tried a large hanging parrot mirror as well but they take no notice of it.

[Jenny Smedley]

Re - Metal hanging spike thing that holds veg:

Did a bit of searching- there is a"parrot skewer" similar to mine on Ebay & also a thing called a "Kabob" which is also similar.

[Cheeky Chooky]

My OH made my metal cabbage hooks The girls have 4...spoilt madams

[fantasticjudyann]

I use a cotton string bag ( from M and S a couple of years ago ) and put in a big cabbage or large piece of broccoli, suspend it from the mesh and away they go

 

I also use sprout trees when available but they are not keen on the loose ones picky things

[Chortle Chook]

Mine won't touch loose sprouts either. I can't see why. They have also decided not to touch a perfectly good seeming sprout tree that I bought but put away in the shed for a week while they were eating other treats.

 

I don't have grass at home, but I realise I can get my chickens one of those small turf rolls from the garden centre as soon as the shop starts to sell them again. Has anyone tried this and do they like it?

[sadietoo]

I have one of those screw in corn on the cob holders suspended from the top of my run on a bit of rope and I screw in cabbages by the stalk or corn on the cob from that and they play swingball with it... also a hamster treat ball filled with corn keeps them happy during the day...(when they remember what to do with it!)

[heth1986]

I don't have grass at home, but I realise I can get my chickens one of those small turf rolls from the garden centre as soon as the shop starts to sell them again. Has anyone tried this and do they like it?

 

Cheaky chook, I gave mine the turf from underneath where we put down some stepping stones in our lawn and they thought it was brillian but if buying from a garden centre I'd just double check what pesticides / lawn feeds etc they've used on it first, if it's all good they'll love it... you could put it in trays and give it a rest for a few days to re-grow and alternate so's you don't have to keep buying it! Super idea

 

Re the sprouts, I've also tried giving mine loose ones but they wont touch them! But if I give them the outter leaves that I take off when I'm cooking them they wolf them down?! They're such fuss pots! Must try the sprout on a stalk idea too.

[Chortle Chook]

Many thanks heth1986 for the idea of how to save some pennies on the turf rolls. I can't wait to try this now

[SteveC]

I use a Fat Ball bird feeder - just put veg into it and hang it up. They particularly like lettuce, I've found.

[Cheeky Chooky]

I don't have grass at home, but I realise I can get my chickens one of those small turf rolls from the garden centre as soon as the shop starts to sell them again. Has anyone tried this and do they like it?

I used to buy rolls of turf for my RIR girls; it worked really well, was inexpensive and they loved it I'll definitely be doing the same for my little girlies

[daxigirl]

Mine like satumas, grapefruits, cut in half, hanging cabbages etc. I've found the best way to get them back in the run is wilko robin bird seed mix, they really luffs that and charge you down when they see the bag. I found a chicken treat ball on amazon but since seen them elsewhere for their corn when I'm not around. There's also a round cage (for rabbit hay/greens) that hangs on the side and is good for greens. Don't like loose sprouts or cauliflower, no that's not me.

[jackian]

Mine won't touch loose sprouts either. I can't see why. They have also decided not to touch a perfectly good seeming sprout tree that I bought but put away in the shed for a week while they were eating other treats.

 

I don't have grass at home, but I realise I can get my chickens one of those small turf rolls from the garden centre as soon as the shop starts to sell them again. Has anyone tried this and do they like it?

 

I dig up clumps of crouch grass back from my allotment (or any grass would do) They love them and also have a game of footie at the same time.