With Christmas well and truly over, thoughts naturally start turning to spring; however, it’s still freezing outside and so our hens need a little extra TLC at this time of year.
With avian flu rearing its head, some hen keepers may find themselves within a mandatory housing zone meaning their hens must be kept undercover away from wild birds. If this applies to you, or if you simply prefer to keep your hens in a fixed run, we’ve got some great boredom buster ideas below.
Winter is the time of year when us humans often feel a little run down and in need of a boost, and our hens are no different, which is why we’re also sharing some of our top hen health boosters to keep your flock in tip top shape.
Finally, even if you’ve been lucky enough to have snow instead of a deluge of rain lately, that lovely white stuff will still melt and leave you with a mucky, muddy run to contend with, so there are some steps below you can take to combat the wet weather, both for your sanity and your hens’ hygiene.
That’s hentertainment
Keeping your hens in a fixed run isn’t for everyone, but it does come with benefits, especially if you happen to be out at work during the day because you can rest assured your hens are protected.
For some, you may be forced to keep your hens in a run if you currently live within an Avian Influenza Protection Zone, meaning your hens must be kept away from wild birds.
Whatever the reason, if your hens are in a fixed run it’s important you provide some entertainment for them. Quite simply, the more you offer the happier they’ll be.
Hentertainment can be broken down in the following ways:
Physical enrichment for hens
Chickens love to jump up on stuff! So the more you can put in their run for them to explore the better – think of it as a chicken jungle gym. Try using a hen swing (a bit like Marmite, they’ll either love it or be totally unbothered!) or creating tunnels and placing extra perches around their living space.
Straw bales are a great way of encouraging their natural jumping and scratching instincts. Just be careful your hens aren’t eating any of the straw and remove if it this starts to happen.
Food treats for hens
We’re stating the obvious here, but another thing hens love is FOOD! Treat dispensers will keep them busy for hours on end and there are lots of great options out their specifically designed for our feathered friends. Alternatively, pierce a water bottle with holes, fill it with treats and let your hens have fun rolling it around trying to get their reward.
Treat balls are high in energy and a great option for keeping hens entertained. Just ensure these are given as part of a balanced diet.
Sound and sight enrichment
Playing music is believed to soothe hens, and it has been proven that they prefer classical music! So pop a radio in their run if you can do so safely. Hanging up CDs is a great way of providing fun for your hens, too, as they love pecking shiny things. Mirrors are also a good option as they quite like looking at themselves, or anything else that moves for that matter.
Hen health boosters
As well as offering a high-quality balanced hen feed for your flock, you may want to consider given them a little boost during the winter months.
There are many supplements on offer which have been designed especially for hens who may need an extra dose of calcium, for example, if they are going through a moult. Zolcal D is available from our shop and is easily administered in drinking water, therefore being quickly absorbed by your hens.
Apple cider vinegar is a great all-rounder, and something you can give to your hens at any time of year to keep them on top form. It can help hens regrow feathers faster as well as aiding digestion and creating a hostile environment for organisms like Coccidiosis.
Fix those muddy runs
The last thing our hens want is to be sloshing around in a cold, wet, muddy run which can happen easily and quickly at this time of year.
By January the worst of the weather is behind us but, if you’re still suffering, here are some top tips:
- Move your run around regularly, if possible, so your hens are always on fresh ground, allowing the ground they’ve come from to recover.
- If this is not possible and your run is fixed, ensure good drainage is in place so areas do not become waterlogged.
- Consider alternative housing options such as a polytunnel or a garage / shed when you know a prolonged period of wet weather is approaching. Alternatively, cover your outdoor run with a tarpaulin to protect your hens and the environment from the elements.
- Put your hens’ food and water on a paved area, undercover, to keep it dry and deter wild birds from accessing it.
- Sand and / or rubber chippings can help with drainage but be careful as bark can go mouldy.
For any other hen health related questions, simply visit our hen health pages or visit our Hen Helpline.
