Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Here in rural Jefferson County, there is much appeal to farm life and homesteading, and often the first step in the process of building a farm or homestead is to purchase a small flock of chickens. Chickens are often referred to as the “gateway farm animal,” as they are relatively easy to care for, and their flocks are easy to add on to.
While some people may raise their chickens as a food source, for eggs or meat, there are many hobbyists who enjoy the company of these feathered friends just for the sake of having them. For those raising them for food, it is easy to notice a big difference in the quality of eggs and meat that is raised in small, happy family farms rather than in massive corporate warehouses. But no matter why you have them, chickens are excellent companions to have at home, and the key to high quality eggs is to provide a high quality life for the birds in your flock.
Caring for a chicken flock is relatively simple. You need a coop to allow your birds to safely roost at night, and it's a good idea to provide them with fresh food and water daily. Be sure to clean the coop regularly and provide plenty of nesting material as needed so your chickens are comfortable, dry and clean when they lay. Be mindful of predators and provide a safe, enclosed area for them to stay away from danger.
Beyond the necessities, there are plenty of ways you can provide extra enrichment for your chickens, and creating a positive and engaging environment for them will encourage healthy, natural behaviors, will reduce boredom in your flock, and can be a great way to simply have some fun with your birds.
Lots of backyard chickens enjoy free-roaming from the coop during the day, and this can be interesting enrichment for them, as they can hunt for insects, explore and get some exercise. However, predatory birds, raccoons, opossums, stray dogs and even loose house cats can pose a real threat to a chicken, and many flock-owners opt to keep their chickens safely secured inside a chicken yard or run, especially if they do not have a strong rooster to protect their hens. While this limits the birds' enrichment, there are other ways to provide an interesting array of activities for them.
When adding any sort of enrichment, consider the type of chickens you have and what sort of behaviors you are wanting to encourage. If you have many large breed chickens, enrichment features like swings or high perches could pose as a hazard, as large breeds have been bred to grow swiftly and are generally heavier and less active. Additionally, chickens that have been bred to grow swiftly may have different nutritional needs than other birds, so adding some types of forage treats may end up making them gain unhealthy weight that will ultimately decrease their quality of life.
Forage – Chickens, no matter what species, are foragers. As omnivores, they enjoy vegetables, insects, grains, meats, fruit and even the occasional table scraps! While you should avoid feeding them moldy food and grass clippings from the mower (as well as foods that are considered toxic to chickens), there are plenty of delicious and interesting foods that you can provide that will not only entertain but will delight your flock. Do a little research to ensure that you're offerings are safe for your chickens to consume, and offer new foods slowly into the diet of your flock. Consider hiding some forage items in your chicken yard or coop, using treat-dispensing balls or hanging your new forage in the environment for them to discover and pick at. Don't forget to sit back and watch them react to the tasty treats they find!
Chickens can be very active, and many of them like to move around. Consider physical enrichment for their enclosure or yards that they can climb on, explore or enjoy. Keeping in mind your chicken's species and specific needs, physical enrichment could include any of the following additions to their environment: swings, perches, stumps, ramps, digging areas, dust baths, ladders, teeter totters, platforms, bridges, or even puzzle treat dispensers.
Chickens produce oils through glands on their back. These oils are spread along their feathers, helping to keep them waterproof. Over time, this oil gets stale, and chickens remove it by taking dust/dirt baths. The oil is absorbed by the dust and is shaken loose when the bird shakes the dust/dirt out of its feathers. This helps keep them clean and also helps keep their feathers in good shape. All chickens should have access to an area of dirt somewhere within their enclosure.
Chickens, like many birds, are social animals, and this means that they don't do well when they live alone. The company of other chickens is a great source of social enrichment, and this can help them develop healthy social bonds and communication skills with their peers. Chickens that lose their flock, or live alone generally exhibit signs of depression and loneliness. They may become lethargic, or develop neurotic behaviors that are destructive to their environment or themselves. Studies show that not only are chickens capable of creating bonds with individuals in their flock, as well as their human caretakers, they often even mourn the loss of a flock-member.
Be sure to rotate out different types of enrichment so that your chickens don't get bored, and pay attention to the things that each individual tends to enjoy. By providing interesting activities and features to their environment, you can deepen your own understanding and bond with them, which can also be enriching for you! You may be surprised to find that your chickens each have distinct and enjoyable personalities, and learning to enjoy your flock's enjoyment can help you get the most out of your backyard birds.