Activities and Toys for Happy, Healthy Chickens

As chicken keepers, we all want our birds to be happy and healthy.

One way to achieve this is by providing them with an enriching environment that stimulates their natural behaviors.

In this blog post, I will share some DIY toys you can make for your chickens as well as activities that will keep them entertained and engaged.

Creating an Enriching Environment: DIY Toys

Chickens are intelligent animals who need mental stimulation just like humans do.
You can provide them with homemade toys that challenge their problem-solving skills and encourage exploration.

Here are a few ideas:

1. Pipe Cleaner Toy – Thread colorful pipe cleaners through the holes of a plastic bottle cap and attach it to a string or rope. Hang it from the top of their cage or coop, and watch them peck at it to remove the pipe cleaners.

2. Pinecone Treat Dispenser – Attach pinecones filled with treats such as seeds or dried fruit to a string or rope and hang it in their cage or coop. Your chickens will have fun trying to get the treat out of the pinecone.

3. Milk Carton Maze – Cut small openings into a milk carton and fill each section with different types of feed. Your chickens will enjoy navigating through the maze to find their favorite foods.

Activities for Happy Chickens

In addition to making DIY toys, there are other activities you can do to keep your chickens entertained.

Some examples include:

1. Scratching Post – Provide your chickens with a scratching post made of wood or cardboard. They will enjoy using their claws to shred the material while also keeping their nails trimmed.

See also Chicken Enrichment 101: Make Your Own DIY Toys for a Healthier, Happier Flock

2. Dust Bath – Create a dust bath area in your chicken’s pen where they can roll around in the dirt and take dust baths. This helps them maintain good hygiene and keeps their feathers clean.

3. Foraging Areas – Set up areas in your yard where your chickens can forage for insects and plants. This will give them something to explore and discover while also supplementing their diet with fresh greens.

What Can I Do to Keep My Chickens Entertained?

There are many things you can do to keep your chickens entertained.
Here are some ideas:

1. Rotate Their Toys – Just like children, chickens can get bored with the same old toys. Mix it up by rotating their toys every week or so.

2. Give Them Treats – Chickens love treats! Try giving them new types of foods or creating treat dispensers like the pinecone one mentioned earlier.

3. Play Music – Studies show that playing music can reduce stress levels in chickens. Try playing calming music in their pen during times when they may feel anxious or stressed.

Types of Chicken Toys

Here are some common types of chicken toys you can make or buy:

1. Swinging Toys – These are toys that swing back and forth, encouraging your chickens to jump and play. Examples include ropes with wooden blocks attached or swings made of tires.

2. Pecking Toys – These toys mimic the behavior of pecking at bugs and insects. Examples include wooden blocks with holes drilled into them or plastic cups filled with seeds.

See also The Silkie Chicken: A Unique and Gentle Breed

3. Chewing Toys – These toys help keep your chickens’ beaks trimmed and prevent overgrown beak syndrome. Examples include branches from trees or sticks with bark still on them.

I hope these tips and ideas inspire you to create an engaging and enriching environment for your chickens. Remember, happy chickens lay more eggs and live longer healthier lives.