How to Keep Your Hens Happy This Winter through their own pandemic – Avian Flu and stop “fowl” bulling!

The cold, gloomy days of winter are here and everyone can get bored, even chickens! Boredom leads to mischief such as feather picking, egg eating, squabbling and a miserable disposition. This year, chickens are even having to cope with the risk of avian flu, so are also experiencing their own lock down and have to be kept in till March.

For all our fellow hen keepers, here are some easy tips to keep your ladies happy and busy this winter, during their lockdown!

Placing logs or tree stumps around the hen house adds interest for them, especially if they can pry off the bark and check it out for insects.  Old ladders and step ladders can provide exercise and personal space.

A variety of perches- different types, different heights will add to the activities. We have several girls who use them like they’re having a day at the gym!  Placing logs or tree stumps around the hen house adds interest for them, especially if they can pry off the bark and check it out for insects.  Old ladders and step ladders can provide exercise and personal space.

Make a hay/leaf/straw pile- the ladies will spread it far and wide in their quest for bugs or seeds! When we clean out their hen house, we simply put down the straw in a pile and have them arrange their ‘furniture’!

Mirrors- I have read that people put in mirrors for their chickens. Apparently they love to admire themselves! Perhaps not a good idea if you have a cockrell – we haven’t put up mirrors as we would want to upset Lord Leonard Snowy the 1st, cos he may think there is an intruder in the camp and go on the attack!!

An often overlooked activity that chickens love to participate in is dust bathing. Consider it the spa treatment of the chicken world.
Chickens take dust baths to keep themselves parasite free, to control their natural oils, and well, and to relax.
If you’ve ever seen a chicken take a dust bath, you know what I mean. They roll and flap around, and at times, they look as though they are ready to fall asleep.