The Omlet Blog Archives: May 2018

Keep your chickens entertained

Two chickens eating snacks from the Omlet Chicken Peck Toy

Who enjoys being bored? The same boredom that plagues humans and other pets can creep into your chicken flock – potentially causing destructive behavior. Thankfully, there are ways to keep your chickens entertained. We’ll share our favorite ways to keep your flock’s minds and bodies busy to effectively keep boredom at bay. 

Why do chickens need to be entertained? 

Much like children, chickens can act out if they become bored. It’s not uncommon for bored hens to display a variety of negative behaviors or attitudes when they don’t receive enough mental or physical stimulation. Some signs that your chickens may be bored include: 

  • Feather pulling (on themselves or picking at flockmates) 
  • Sudden assertive or aggressive behavior 
  • Dull demeanor 
  • Decreased appetite 

Chickens are very social animals, and while having companions helps curb their craving to be entertained, supplemental activities will help keep your flock fit and happy. 

Ways to keep your flock occupied 

Keeping your chickens entertained in any season is easier than you may think. Simple additions to your chickens’ run can make the difference between doldrums and delight. The following boredom-busting activities are great for any sized flock to get a great mental and physical workout in. 

Provide perches 

Chicken perches are an easy, yet effective way to get your flock engaged in their run. Perching is a natural behavior for nearly every species of bird, and your hens are likely craving some vertical variety in their space. Freestanding chicken perches are quick to install and move when needed and can be customized to accommodate even the smallest hen in your flock. Or, go big with a PoleTree customizable chicken perch for the ultimate perching and play experience. 

Put out heaps of leaves, straw or hay

Sometimes you need not look any further than nature for inspiration for enrichment. Freshly raked piles of leaves or scattered piles of straw or hay are great ways to encourage foraging in your flock. Toss some scratch grains or dried insect treats into the piles and watch your hens scratch around for hours searching for their snacks. 

Designate a dust bathing area 

Dust baths for chickens aren’t just to keep their feathers in good condition but are also a social activity among hen pals. You’ll often notice two or three hens taking a dust bath together. Providing your flock with a dust bathing area in a specific area of their run will help create a communal spot to hang out and catch up on coop gossip. 

Put up a mirror

Chickens take pride in their appearance, and will appreciate the opportunity to check out their reflection. Take care that any mirrors are securely mounted, and are not in an area that will reflect concentrated sun rays onto flammable surfaces like straw, hay, leaves, or dry grass. Use a mirror with caution if you have a rooster in your flock. If they perceive another rooster encroaching on their hens they will go on the defensive – even if it’s against their own reflection. This could stress them (and the rest of your flock) and do more harm than good. 

Chicken toys

Chicken toys are helpful to motivate hens to exercise mentally and physically. Elevate your hens’ snacktime with peck toys. The Pendant Peck Toy swings and sways along with your chickens’ efforts, which stimulates both their minds and bodies. Or, choose the Poppy Peck Toy for a more stationary option. The Caddi Chicken Treat Holder lets you serve your flock’s favorite fresh finds in a creative way. Stuff it full of leafy greens, hay, or 

Other toys for chickens include the Chicken Swing, which provides a fun alternative to an ordinary perch. Many chickens enjoy a nice sit on a gently swaying swing – especially when there’s a nice breeze. Some other toy ideas include: 

  • Xylophones mounted to the side of the run 
  • Toy balls (large enough to not be choked on)
  • Hollow dog toys to fill with scratch grains or other treats 

Change things up 

Chicken tractors are perfect for changing things up for your flock. Chickens thrive on routine, but benefit from variety. Move your chickens’ coop to different areas of your yard to give them fresh pecking grounds, new scenery, and different sunning angles.  

If you have a stationary chicken coop, try moving some toys or perches around periodically to spice things up. Adjust perch heights, move peck toys to new spots, or add herbs to their dust baths to give your hens variety in their everyday routines. 

Spend time with them 

This activity doesn’t require any special equipment – just your time. Even if your chickens just view you as the bringer of food, having you in their run for an extended visit helps liven things up. Bring a chair or stool to sit with your flock, or offer some treats by hand to build a bond with hesitant hens. As any chicken keeper knows, time spent with your hens is time well spent. 

Omlet: providing your flock with fun  

At Omlet, there’s no shortage of fun or innovation. The result? Imaginative chicken toys and accessories that are anything but dull. From pillar pieces like strong chicken coops, to quirky components like the Chicken Swing, our products help you create the perfect hen habitat.  

Chicken sat on the Omlet Chicken Swing

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This entry was posted in Chickens on May 17th, 2018 by sammorley


Get a FREE Special Edition Royal Wedding Cover

OFFER NOW EXPIRED

To celebrate the upcoming wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle we have produced a

Limited Edition Royal Wedding Eglu Run Cover!

 

Claim your FREE Royal Wedding Eglu Run Cover this weekend only when you spend over $100!

Enter promo code  ‘WEDDING‘  at checkout to automatically add the Free Cover to your basket

Shop Now!

 

Terms and Conditions

The Free Special Edition Royal Wedding Eglu Run Cover is only valid with orders over $100 (excluding shipping) placed on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th May. There is limited stock of the Royal Wedding Eglu Shade and will be given to the first 100 customers that place orders across all countries.  Please use promo code ‘WEDDING’.  The cover measures approximately 80cm x 80cm and comes supplied with bungee hooks so it can be easily attached to your run. It should be used as a sun and wind shade. Subject to availability. Omlet inc. reserves the right to withdraw the offer at any point. 

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This entry was posted in Offers and Promotions on May 12th, 2018 by sammorley


WIN an Eglu Cube for your Mother Hen!

Barbara is hoping to hatch some eggs but needs your help. How many days should she sit on them if she wants them to hatch?

If you need a clue click here!

Good Luck!

 

Terms and Conditions: The competition closes at 23.59 20th May 2018. To enter please complete the competition entry page on Omlet’s website. The main prize is an Eglu Cube with 6ft run and wheels (choice of color on Eglu, subject to availability) Delivery is included to all US addresses excluding Hawaii and Alaska. The winners will be randomly selected and notified on Monday 21st May. Omlet reserve the right to withdraw the competition at any point. Prizes cannot be transferred to cash. This competition is only open to US residents excluding Hawaii and Alaska.This competition is not open to Omlet employees or members of their immediate families. Likewise, it is not open to the Employees of Omlet Partners who may be involved in promoting this competition. Omlet may cancel or amend any competition, competition information, or these terms and conditions without prior notice. Any changes will be posted either within the competition information or these terms and conditions. All entries must be made using the form on the relevant competition page. No responsibility can be accepted for entries that are lost or delayed, or which are not received for any reason. The winner or winners will be chosen at random from all those entrants who have provided the correct answer or prize-winners will be selected and notified in the manner set out in the competition terms. No prize will be awarded where any entrant has committed any form of misconduct (as determined by Omlet Inc in its sole discretion). Only one entry per household. If you win, we will notify you via the email address you provide when entering the competition. If we do not get a response to the email within one week, the prize will be offered to a runner-up. The prize is not exchangeable for cash or any other prize.By entering the competition you are agreeing to become a subscriber to the Omlet newsletter, if however you wish to not receive newsletter and updates from Omlet you can unsubscribe once you receive initial correspondence from Omlet Inc. Any personal information relating to entrants will be used solely by us in accordance with applicable data protection legislation. Anyone attempting to artificially influence or manipulate the outcome of the competition will be excluded from this and all future Omlet competitions. All prize-winners unconditionally agree (as a condition of accepting any prize) to: the use of their name, one or more photographs of themselves with their prize; and co-operate with or participate in any other reasonable post-competition publicity. 

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This entry was posted in Competitions on May 11th, 2018 by sammorley