Toys for Chickens: Enrichment for Your Pet Hen

Toys for Chickens
Photo courtesy steve p2008 via flickr. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Chicken toys stimulate your pet pullet or cockerel. They provide entertainment to alleviate boredom as well as enrich your hen’s life with chicken coop toys.

Chickens are quite intelligent and love to play games. The toys they like fall into three main categories: food toys, bright toys, and perching toys.

Bestseller No. 1
Charming Pet Squawkers Henrietta Latex Rubber Chicken Interactive Dog Toy, Small
  • SILLY SQUAWKING DOG TOY: Squawkers latex rubber dog toys are a collection of funny chicken characters that come with an irresistible squawking squeaker your dog will love! Holiday edition Squawkers make a great gift for the furry friend in your life!
  • REDIRECTS DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR: These enticing dog toys are a great way to teach your dog appropriate play behavior while distracting them away from your personal belongings.
  • MADE WITH SAFE & NATURAL MATERIALS: These interactive dog toys are made of all-natural latex, and are hand painted with lead-free paint, so you can stay worry-free while your pup plays.
  • MULTIPLE SIZES & STYLES: Squawkers Latex Rubber Chickens come in two sizes, small and large, so that dogs of all sizes can have their very own chatty chicken.
  • THIS IS NOT A CHEW TOY: No toy is indestructible. Do not leave toys with unsupervised pets. Remove and replace toy if damaged.
Bestseller No. 2
Best Pet Supplies Chicken Crinkle Plush Dog Toys for Interactive Play, Puppy and Senior Indoor Play, Colorful Chicken Toy Shape, Cute and Cuddly - Crinkle Chicken (Beige)
  • Interactive Fun Play - These dog crinkle toys are shaped as an adorable six-legged octopus and comes in bright, vibrant colors that are both fun and engaging. A great way to play fetch with and stimulate their natural behaviors.
  • Durable and Engaging Play – Our plush dog toys are important for keeping your dog physically active, either puppies or senior dogs. These toys can be chewed on, thrown, and played with in tons of fun and engaging ways!
  • Perfect Cuddle Buddies – These cute dog toys can also be used to keep dogs comfortable and perfect as their sleeping buddies!
  • Bonding Activity – Dog toys aren’t just good for your dog’s wellness, but also a great way for you to bond and establish trust and love with your dog! Important for dogs of all ages and breeds.
  • Squeaks and Crinkles – These dog chew toys feature crinkle material in the legs and stuffing in the head that squeaks to give them multiple stimulation points for a more interactive play. And they come in exciting colors, too!
Bestseller No. 3
Chicken Swing Toys and Chicken Toys Xylophone, 2pcs Chicken Toys for Poultry Run Rooster Hens Chicks Pet Parrots Macaw Entertainment Stress Relief for Birds
  • 【Idea Relaxing Place】- They are ideal places for poultry / bird to swing, play, jungle gym and peck, it's easy to install them in the cage / coop / backyard.
  • 【Chicken Swing Toy】- The swing has an easy grip texture, and it is made of very sturdy natural wood with 16 inch length, 2.8 inches width. You can adjust the length to allow birds to get off the ground and feel more secure.
  • 【 Beautiful Xylophone】- The chicken xylophone toy for hens has 8 colorful iron sheets, they will explore it with their beaks and claws. And the xylophone's bright colors can easily catch the attention and curiosity of chickens / parrots.
  • 【Easy To Install】- All chicken toys come with an active hook that simply attaches to the top of the pet cage for easy installation.
  • 【Package Include】- There are 1 chicken swing toy, 1 chicken xylophone and 1 natural mineral molar stone and bell with hook in the package. They provide pet birds a fun elevated place to meet the natural needs of birds.

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Guide to buying toys for chickens

Chicken Entertainment: Bring on the Food Toys

Every chicken has a different personality, but all chickens love food.

Some of the most exciting games your chickens can play involve looking for food or getting food out of a difficult place.

An extremely popular chicken toy involves nothing more than a cabbage suspended from a rope.

You can find feeders that will let you hang vegetables away from dirt and hay. Experiment with squashes, lettuce, and other kinds of produce.

If you buy a suspension toy, look for something that is easy to refill, can hold an entire head of lettuce, and won’t break if subjected to pecking.

Another type of food toy is a ball meant to be filled with seeds. When pecked at, the ball rolls around and dispenses seeds from a small hole.

If you can’t find this type of toy meant specifically for chickens, try looking in the dog toy section. There are many heavy-duty treat dispensers meant for pups that will suit your chickens quite well.

Don’t forget to purchase multiple treat dispensers if you have more than a few chickens. You don’t want them to fight over just one.

Related: Who makes the best duck feeder? (ANSWERED)

Chicken Enrichment: Grab a Hen’s Attention with a Bright Toy

Like most birds, chickens are extremely drawn to shiny and reflective things.

Chickens also like things that jingle and move around. Look for key rings, pinwheels, and other sparkling and fun decorations.

Make sure all toys are safe to use. There should be no sharp edges or parts that can break off and be swallowed.

Children’s safety mirrors have glass that won’t break easily. Your chickens may enjoy looking at their reflection or pecking at the mirror.

Some chickens like brightly colored objects. Others like things that they can grab and move with their beaks. Balls, colored blocks, and small ropes may appeal to your chicken. Try baby toys that have been designed for safety.

Any toys intended for pet birds may be suitable for chickens. In particular, look for hanging mobiles or garlands of wooden blocks.

When shopping, look for toys that can’t be easily destroyed by pecking.

Chicken Activity Center: Perching Toys

A perch is something that your chickens can sit on. It raises them up and lets them look out across the yard.

Stumps, tires, sawhorses, and other sturdy objects make good perches and exist as good DIY chicken toys.

You can also buy a perch designed specifically for chickens. Look for something that can comfortably hold the weight of multiple chickens at once.

Many perches simulate a tree branch with a bar for your chickens to grab with their feet. Others offer a flat surface for chickens to stand on. Your chickens may prefer one perch over another.

A chicken swing is a popular type of perch. Some chickens love the gentle rocking movement of a swing. If your chickens have never used a swing before, you may need to help them become comfortable with it.

If you buy a chicken swing, make sure you hang it from a stable place. Check the ropes frequently for signs of fraying.

Find the best chicken toys in 2023 on Amazon.

Originally posted 2022-05-07 14:10:22.