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IMAGE Sebastian Arning Getty Images Opposite NikonShutterman/Getty Images
There is nothing funnier than watching your
chickens playing in the garden, fighting over
bugs and harassing the cat. It therefore seems only
fair that we should provide them with some fun
and variety, too, especially in the winter months
when bugs are scarce and garden activities can be
a bit ho-hum.
Preventing chickens from becoming
disinterested is important for their health and
wellbeing because a bored chicken can start
pecking at itself, other chickens, or eggs. Worse
still, a lack of stimulation can lead to serious
bullying behaviour within your flock.
But before you think installing a television in
your chook house will do the trick, try to think
more in line with the natural behaviours your
chickens have in the pursuit of food: pecking,
foraging, digging. Oh, and a bit of perching in a
quiet moment. But mostly it’s all about food.
All you need to do is rev up your imagination,
pick out your chickens’ favourite foods, and, most
importantly, have fun.
Punchy Piñatas
I’m not suggesting you hang a bag of lollies for
your chooks and pass them a club to break it open.
Try instead to extend this idea to chicken-friendly
food and let your chicken have a good peck with
their beaks. Making your chickens work a bit for
their food helps to engage their natural foraging
instincts and a swinging tetherball of food cannot
fail to entertain them.
The simplest chicken piñata can be made
with some strong string and a head of lettuce or
cabbage. A more complex version could involve
a pine cone smeared in peanut butter and rolled
in seeds.
Other alternative foods to hang include French
bread, cucumber, millet sprays, corn cobs, or even
a barbecue grill basket filled with greens.
How about a bit of baking? Whip up a basic
cookie batter (without the sugar) and add peanut
butter, seeds and grains, then bake cookies with
holes in the middle to make them easy to tie up.
Alternatively, you can utilise your used cooking
grease in a 1:1 ratio with seeds and peanut butter,
chuck it in a used milk or juice carton and chill it to
create some yummy suet. If you don’t have a suet
cage, a sturdy mesh bag will do instead. Limit this
to the winter as suet can quickly go rancid in the
summer heat.
Perches with panache
Don’t underestimate the interest generated by
a new perch. Chickens naturally like to perch up
higher, even in trees if they can. The provision of a
new and interesting perch is sure to please.
A simple stump, sturdy branch or a swing will
provide your birds with some extra exercise and a
happy place to observe the world from.
Don’t underrate the joy of a good log either.
This can be shifted now and then to expose bugs
underneath. If the log has nooks and crannies,
consider filling them with goodies such as banana,
chunky peanut butter, cooked rice and oatmeal.
Your chickens will love digging for treats.
Toy time
Chickens love toys as much as the next kid. Many
a soft, lightweight ball has been seen bouncing
around a chook house in a harmless game of
Fowl Football.
Inquisitive chickens might also enjoy a windup
or walking toy. Solitary chickens can find
Above The right sort of perch will
encourage your chickens to seek a
new view of the world.
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