Do chickens get bored?

From children to adults, we’re all familiar with the feeling of boredom — but do chickens get bored? Indeed they do, and a bored chicken is an unhappy one. Discover why chickens get bored, and how to bust boredom before it manifests in behavioral displays within your flock. 

Why do chickens get bored? 

Chickens are naturally inquisitive, with an innate instinct to forage throughout the day. Flocks that free-range find enrichment in their environment, from bugs and plants to dust bathing spots and perching opportunities. But hens that are kept in runs or small areas miss out on many of these naturally occurring boredom-busters. 

Signs that your chickens are bored 

When chickens are bored, there will be observable clues. Bored chickens will typically: 

• Act lethargic or listless 
• Display aggression toward their owners or flock mates 
• Have feather loss from over preening or hen-pecking 
• Pace along the edges of the run 
• Peck at the coop 
• Eat their own eggs, or those of other hens 

These behaviors can range from mild to severe, with some chickens causing serious injury to themselves or others. But you can mitigate the risk of these destructive behaviors by providing your flock with plenty of enrichment. 

Flock boredom busters 

To keep your chickens’ minds and bodies active and engaged, they’ll need elements to support a healthy lifestyle. These range from toys and accessories to activities that you help provide. Here’s how to keep boredom at bay among your flock. 

Chicken toys 

Chickens enjoy interacting with various elements, and toys are among their favorites, delighting hens and their keepers alike. Some chicken toys include: 

• Caddi Chicken Treat Holder
• Chicken Peck Toys
• DIY chicken toys like repurposed xylophones, small mirrors, or bells 

These toys reward your chickens with food or sounds for their interactions. This type of feedback engages their minds and bodies and helps to prevent them from becoming bored. Toys can be mounted in your chickens’ run, providing hours of daily entertainment.  

Chicken perches 

One of the best ways to prevent your flock from becoming bored is to give them a variety of perches in their area. Chicken perches can be mounted to the wire of your chicken run, or Freestanding Chicken Perches can be added to open areas and moved as needed to provide plenty of perching opportunities. If your flock spends all or most of their time inside of a chicken run, a customizable PoleTree transforms their home into the ultimate play space while making use of the aerial space of a tall run. 

For an unconventional perch, Chicken Swings make for excellent flock entertainment. Like a porch swing for your hens, these swings provide a relaxing place to unwind and enjoy a gentle sway of a suspended seat. 

Activities for your chickens

While toys and perches are essential for flock enrichment, your hens will also benefit from activities. These can be with you or amongst themselves, but the goal remains the same — to appeal to their natural behaviors in order to maintain a healthy mind and body. 

Dust baths 

A chicken dust bath is another essential element for your flock to keep their feathers and skin healthy. This is also a social activity, where two or more hens will congregate at a time. They’ll happily roll and toss dust on themselves to remove parasites or debris from their plumage, and to catch up with each other. Chickens in runs should always be provided with a dust bathing area, while free-ranging chickens will likely find their own favorite dust bathing spots among bushes, sandboxes, or other loose soil. 

Foraging 

Even if your flock can’t truly free-range, you can simulate this experience by creating activities that encourage them to forage. In the fall, gather leaf piles to add to their run, and toss in their favorite treats for them to scratch and scavenge for. In the spring and summer months, add fresh grass clippings or grass hay for the same effect. Alfalfa hay can be offered in the winter for a boost of warming protein, along with warm mash at multiple intervals throughout the day. 

Human interaction 

Interacting with your chickens is rewarding for them and for you as their keeper. If you’ve had your flock for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed that they’ll come running to you in anticipation of food. This reaction isn’t just endearing, it’s also a sign of trust and familiarity from your flock. Reward them with chicken-safe treats like fresh produce or dried insects to reinforce your bond. Spending time talking with your chickens or just enjoying their company is soothing for you, and helps prevent boredom for them. 

Omlet and your flock 

Your flock’s most valuable asset is you. By providing them with supportive and enriching elements, you’ll stave off boredom and deepen the bond built between you and your chickens. A safe chicken coop that can be easily customized makes a perfect canvas for creating an environment to keep boredom at bay. Adding chicken toys and perches and providing as much space as possible with chicken fencing or a walk in chicken run will go a long way in entertaining them. But the most important aspect of keeping your flock healthy and happy is you — caring for your flock, spending time with them, and seeing to their happiness is the best way to eliminate boredom from your chickens’ lives. 

This entry was posted in Chickens