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Summer Chicken Boredom Busters: Keep Your Flock Happy and Engaged
As the summer sun climbs high and the days stretch long, your backyard chickens are spending more time awake—and if they don’t have something to do, they’ll make their own fun. Unfortunately, that can lead to feather picking, pecking order drama, and stressed-out birds. Chickens are smart, curious creatures that thrive with stimulation and structure, especially in hot weather when activity slows and tempers rise. In short: summer is the season for chicken boredom busters.
Whether you’ve got a small suburban flock or a bustling homestead run, adding a few enrichment tools can transform a dull coop into a backyard chicken playground. From dust baths to DIY treat puzzles, here are the top ways to keep your flock entertained, healthy, and harmonious this summer.
1. Dust Baths: Cool Off and De-Stress
Even if your chickens aren't pecking each other more often, they will always be happy for a little self care. Dust baths are a natural behavior that chickens use to clean their feathers, remove parasites, and regulate their body temperature. But in summer, when the ground can become dry and hard-packed, you may need to create a designated dust bath area.
Ideas to Make it better:
Use a kiddie pool, tire, or wide shallow bin.
Fill with a mix of sand (construction sand), wood ash, and fine dirt.
Place it in the shade for extra heat relief.
Add dried herbs like lavender or mint for a spa-day vibe.
Dust baths not only bust boredom but help chickens stay cool and parasite-free.
2. Chicken Toys - Yes, Chicken Toys!
Toys aren’t just for dogs and toddlers. Chickens love to peck, chase, and tug—and the right toys keep them mentally sharp while preventing aggression. Not every toy has to be fancy, either.
Try these easy chicken boredom busters:
Hanging Veggies or DIY Treat Towers: Give your chickens a snack that makes them work for it! Try tying a head of cabbage or lettuce with twine and hanging it just above beak height—it encourages jumping, pecking, and playful movement. For a fun twist, flip a tomato cage upside down and thread veggies through the spokes to create a DIY kabob stand. Either option turns snack time into active enrichment your flock will love.
Xylophones or bells: Some keepers mount musical toys on coop walls. Chickens love sound and texture.
Mirrors: Especially helpful if you only have a few birds—mirrors can reduce loneliness and pecking.
Treat Dispensers: You can buy a treat dispenser online, or you can easily create one by poking some treat-sized holes in an empty plastic bottle! They will be happy to roll it around to get the treats out.
Here are a few recommendations, picked from our staff:
Treat dispensers we've loved: 2 Pack Chicken Peck Toys
Chicken Toys we've loved: Wind Chimes Hanging Toy for Chickens
Mirrors that our chickens enjoyed: Pet Bird Mirror with Bell
3. Treats That Require Effort
Treats are great—but treats that make chickens work? Even better. Chickens love a challenge, and making them peck, scratch, or puzzle through an obstacle to get a snack satisfies both their bellies and brains.
Summer treat puzzles:
Frozen corn blocks: Fill a muffin tin with corn kernels, peas, and chopped greens. Add water and freeze. Pop out a few each afternoon for a cooling snack that takes time to finish.
Treat balls: These hanging balls roll around as chickens peck at them, slowly releasing cracked corn or mealworms.
Foraging mats: Scatter dried herbs, scratch grains, or bugs into a patch of straw or lawn clippings for scratch-and-find fun.
When used strategically, these chicken boredom busters help your birds stay occupied during the hottest hours of the day.
4. Perches and Platforms...or Maybe a Swing!
Chickens aren’t just ground dwellers—they love to climb, perch, and observe the world from above. Adding roosts, shaded platforms, or sturdy stumps gives your flock more space to relax, escape the heat, and avoid unnecessary pecking order squabbles. Vary the height of your perches to encourage natural behaviors and reduce tension among birds.
Want to take it up a notch? Try adding a chicken swing. Yes, they exist—and yes, some hens will use them daily! While not every bird will hop on, many enjoy the gentle sway and elevated view. You can buy a ready-made swing or build one yourself using scrap wood, rope, and a little creativity.
Whether it’s a stump to jump on or a swing to sway in, these coop additions offer physical and mental stimulation—making them perfect chicken boredom busters during long, hot summer days.
5. Cold Snacks and Water Games
Water isn’t just essential for hydration—it can also become a boredom-busting activity when used creatively.
Fun ways to use water for enrichment:
Watermelon halves: After scooping out the fruit for yourself, freeze the rind and toss it into the run. Chickens love pecking at the cold surface.
Ice cube treasure hunt: Freeze small treats like blueberries or peas into ice cubes. Chickens will peck away as they melt, staying cool in the process.
Misters or shallow pans: Some flocks enjoy stepping through shallow pans of water or walking under misters in the heat of the day.
Keep water clean and refreshed often—chickens are more likely to stay active when well-hydrated.
6. Let Them Free Range (Safely)
If you have the space and setup for it, letting your chickens free range for a few hours a day offers unbeatable enrichment. New bugs to chase, shady places to rest, and fresh patches of grass help chickens stay busy and content.
Tips for summer free ranging:
Do it early in the morning or late evening to avoid the worst heat.
Provide shaded rest areas and water access.
Supervise if predators are a concern.
Even a short daily roaming session can make a huge difference in reducing boredom and bad behavior.
Wrapping It Up: Happy Chickens = Harmonious Coop
Keeping chickens entertained in the summer isn’t just about fun—it’s a key part of maintaining a healthy, low-stress environment. Boredom leads to bad behaviors like feather picking, aggression, and egg-eating. But by adding just a few chicken boredom busters, you can prevent those problems before they start.
Mix and match enrichment options based on your space, budget, and flock size. Rotate activities every week or two to keep things fresh. And remember: the more time chickens spend pecking, foraging, and exploring, the less time they’ll spend causing trouble.
FAQs
What causes chickens to get bored in summer?
Long daylight hours, high temperatures, and confinement in the coop can all contribute to boredom and stress-related behaviors.
How do I know if my chickens are bored?
Look for signs like feather picking, bullying, pacing, and loud vocalizations. These can indicate that your flock needs more stimulation.
Are chicken toys worth it?
Yes! Toys and enrichment activities reduce aggression, promote exercise, and support your chickens’ mental health.
Can I use frozen treats every day?
Absolutely - if it is a small amount! Just ensure they’re made with chicken-safe ingredients and not too high in sugar or salt.
What’s the easiest way to enrich a small flock?
start with a dust bath, add a treat puzzle or hanging veggie, and try a few toys (or homemade enrichment toys) for a low-cost, high-impact enrichment.
