It’s 2022, and backyard chickens need something to do! I know this sounds a bit ridiculous maybe, but it’s true. A flock of chickens will start to bully each other or become otherwise destructive, so if possible you should give them some things to keep them entertained. That’s why I have my Diversions for Backyard Chickens list – this article has all of my best ideas for diversions in the chicken run so everyone stays bright and happy.
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Let’s get right to the content – this list is broken up into Activity Related Diversions for Backyard Chickens, and Food Related Diversions. I’ve tried most of these myself at one point or another and am happy to answer more questions if you got em!
Activity Related Diversions for Backyard Chickens
- Chickens love obstacles! Think of anything other than just standing on the ground – so add layers like rocks or upturned buckets, lay large branches in angles, give them something to parkour.
- A good example of an obstacle is the chicken playhouse that I had in my run for a few years. An old palette was disassembled, nailed together, and painted for outdoor use! You can see it here.
- A chicken swing is another one of my hilarious and useful diversions for backyard chickens. Use hardy outdoor materials, including large flat boards for them to sit on. (Remember that chickens do not “hold and perch” like a songbird, but their feet and toes need to sit flat on something. So think of nice and wide like a 2×4”, or a larger circumference branch.) I’ve also heard that it’s best to “train” chickens to use a swing when they’re still chicks or grow outs, as older birds often won’t learn to use one. Find a chicken swing on a small business front like Etsy, or make your own!
- Raking up the earth is so simple, and yet so effective. Get yourself a nice rake for agitating the ground in your chicken run, and scrape up some fresh spots of earth. You can pile up excess mulch and soil, or you can expose some new area. Chickens go crazy in the “new” of you just moving the dirt around! You can use something like a shovel or a tiller if you want to break up more ground. As a bonus, this can speed up the decomposing/composting process to help break down that chicken poop.
- Re-arranging the chicken run is another fun way to make diversions for backyard chickens. Take the things that you have in your chicken yard – that swing, flower pots, water and feed stations, even the coop itself! – and move everything around. Just like with toddlers and little kids, chickens are fascinated by the new location of the same old things. They may even find a new favorite dust bath spot, or some tasty bugs!
- Extra shelters, lean-tos, and cover are great ways to keep the flock occupied. This method is especially effective if you’re adding in new birds, as they feel like they have their own safe place to go when things get overwhelming (or a veteran flock member is a bit too aggressive). This can be as simple as a pallet leaning against a wall to make a basic A-frame, using old furniture like a dresser, or adding in an old ladder. Make sure everything is safe and stable, and think of little places your chickens can go to get away from the rain or from an annoying flock mate.
- A water feature is a great idea! Make a kiddie pool for your chickens, or add something like a little fountain. Chickens can be trained to stand in an inch of water to help cool them down, and we all know that chickens love to drink any water that’s not in their actual drinker. We have a kiddie pool and misters for the chickens to use in the warmer months, as well as two five-gallon water buckets available 24/7, year round.
Food Related Diversions for Backyard Chickens
- Treat balls make great diversions for backyard chickens! You can make one yourself by putting a head of lettuce on a tetherball-esque chain, or you can get one like this. Chickens get rewarded with treats, a little at a time, but it’s definitely a boredom buster that doubles as entertainment!
- A Flock Block by Purina is a favorite that I buy my flock a few times a year. This is over 20 pounds of chicken snack that they can peck away at. With my small backyard gang, this block will last a good 5-7 days. Don’t let it get wet! You can see my honest review video of the latest Flock Block here.
- I loooove having plants in with my chickens. It can take some extra work at first, but landscaping adds so much to your chicken run! Plants cool the temperature a little, clean the air, bring bugs and pollinators, and of course can provide food and shelter for your little fluff butts!
You can check out my content about chickens and plants together, here.
- Feeder fish or live worms can be bought from most local pet stores (or bait stands) and can go in a bucket or pool with shallow water. Let your chickens bob for treats! Keep the water shallow enough that they can stand in case of falling in. This is especially great when it’s hot outside as you can add a little ice, and be sure that your fluff butts stay hydrated.
- An edible garland is another fun way to get your chickens busy chowing down on something. You can use a thin drill bit to go through tougher things like corn cobs or Brussels sprouts, and use a sturdy string to “bead” bits of food. Then hang it within reach of your chickens. Freeze the threaded treats for a while to let your chickens nibble during the summer, or warm up food for them in winter. Get creative! You can put up everything from squashes and tomatoes, to berries and peanut butter-covered sticks dipped in sunflower seeds.
Finally, try hiding various treats like dried soldier fly larvae (I work with Grubbly Farms and recommend them highly, here’s my affiliate link) or sunflower seeds in a pile of freshly raked earth, in their dust bath, or around the chicken run. Remember that chickens are grazers and will snack all day long. But if you make them hunt a little for their goodies, they’ll stay more active and won’t have time to think about pestering each other!
There you have it! Drop me a comment below and let me know what things you do or give for your flock to keep them happy, healthy, and occupied!
I love your videos! I’m from Austin but now live in Georgia. What do you do to cut down on flys? Also, how do keep all of the poop out of the yard? I have been struggling with both. Thanks and keep up with the great tips!
Hi! I honestly do a few different things for flies – and I did a video showing those remedies not too long ago. I consistently use a spray I made with white vinegar, water, and essential oils (peppermint, lemon, and/or lavender); I also use vanilla scented trees that are for car air fresheners, and Irish Spring soap cut up and placed around outside. I have had good luck using mulch in my chicken run, and agitating it by raking it around a few times a week. The poop will break down on its own, though you can certainly remove it (or spray it down with water) if you want to speed up the process. I hope this helps!