During the winter it is important to give your chickens some ways to keep the boredom at bay.  Boredom can lead to excessive pecking and bullying in your chicken coop.  Use these Winter Boredom Busters to help prevent boredom from setting in.

Plastic Bottle with Scratch

Supplies Needed:  Scratch, bottle (with holes poked in it)  
A great way to entertain your chickens.  Take a simple plastic bottle, and punch some holes in the bottle.  You want enough holes to let some grain out, but not too much.  The idea is to encourage your chicken to peck at the bottle.  

Grow Sprouts

Supplies Needed:  Trays, soil, grass seed.
You can grow sprouts for your chickens during the winter.  Take a flat tray and add soil, and grass seed.  The grass seed will take about 1-2 weeks to grow.  Your chickens will love to peck at the fresh greens during the winter. We have two blog posts with all the ins and outs of growing sprouts for your flock, we even have tips for growing your sprouts in a mason jar!

Chicken Swing

Supplies Needed:  1-2 inch thickness branch (8 inches in length), drill, rope.
You can take a branch and make a chicken swing. Drill a hole in each end of the branch, and add a rope for hanging.  Hang up your chicken swing and watch your chickens take a swing!  If the branch is a little smaller, you can just simply tie the edges of the swing with rope.  Make sure your swing is secure to keep your chickens safe.  Not handy? No worries, you can purchase this ready-made chicken swing to hang in your coop or run.

Hanging Cabbage

Supplies Needed:  Chain, cabbage, drill bit (1” thick).  
Another great winter boredom buster is to hang a cabbage in your chicken coop.  The chickens will love picking at something green.  Using a chain to hang up the cabbage will ensure the chickens don’t try to eat a rope.  Drill a hole in your cabbage, string the chain, and secure the bottom of the chain (we use a stick through a chain link to hold the chain in place at the bottom).  Hang up and let your chickens enjoy!  

Decomposing Log

Supplies Needed:  Decomposing log.  
The simplest of treats for your chickens. During the winter it may be a little harder for your chickens to get out. Giving them a decomposing log will give them something to peck on during the winter season.