My chicken girls aren't allowed out free-range for more than 2-3 hours per day. For two reasons. The dogs might be able to work their way through the gate blockade Rick devised, and, we believe we have a fox in the area. Yes, that fox could attack at any time, but I feel better when their free time is not too extensive.
That means girls are bored, confined to the coop and their outside run.
Which leads me to their new toy.
Yes, a xylophone.
I had seen a video of chickens having a grand time pecking out tunes.
I thought it could be a rather inexpensive means to relieve the boredom.
Yea right. Don't believe everything you see.
Rick said, you've got to train them to go to it. So everyday I've been placing treats on the darn thing so they'll catch on to the great fun they could be having. Yes, they play a cute little ditty while the treats are there,
and then it sits.
Unless they're having fabulous xylophone parties at night after curfew. And whale away on it while the donkeys listen in next door.
One just never knows.
I just bet they are getting down to The Funky Chicken, when all others are asleep in their beds :)
ReplyDeleteDon't give up just yet !
~Jo
Jo, of course The Funky Chicken! (you are the clever girl)
DeleteOr could just show my age ;)
Delete~Jo
I have never heard of this before, but in theory, it should work. I agree with Jo, don't give up just yet. I know that it is sometimes a worry that when they are confined to their runs they could become bored and because we like to enhance their lives, we try thinking of different things to amuse them. We need to pool our novel ideas (if we have any)and give them a go. We presently have been advised by DEFRA to keep our chickens in their runs and away from wild birds because of the threat of Avian Flu (which apparently is in Europe presently). We have to keep them in for 30 days as a precaution so my girls are not going to be happy at all - perhaps I'll invest in a xylophone. Anymore ideas, give me a shout. Kind regards, Louise.
ReplyDeleteThe only other interesting idea I've seen is to hang a head of cabbage and allow them to peck away. Haven't tried that yet...
DeleteThis sounds like the chicken swing I bought for my ladies. They won't go near it! I apparently don't have "swinging chickens". Ha!
ReplyDeleteChickens are funny creatures. There are various "toys" you can buy from specialist stockists (like your chicken swing Lori)but anything out of the ordinary and they will not go near it! The hung head of cabbage works really well though Janet. Have a lovely weekend. Kind regards.
ReplyDelete