Bored chickens get into trouble. Feather pecking, egg eating, endless squabbles over nothing.
I learned that the hard way during one long rainy spring when my hens were stuck in the run for days. By the end of the week they were pecking each other just for something to do.
So I started making them toys. Nothing fancy. A cabbage on a string, a swing made from a branch, a box of dirt.
These 10 chicken toys DIY ideas are cheap, homemade and genuinely loved by my flock. They keep chickens busy, active and a lot calmer in the coop.
1Fun Hanging Cabbage Tetherball
This is the easiest chicken toy there is, and honestly the one my hens love most. Hang a whole cabbage from a short rope so it swings when they peck it.
They chase it, peck it and jump for it. It keeps them busy for hours and gives them healthy greens at the same time. Hang it just above head height so they have to stretch a little.
- Healthy greens
- Hours of pecking fun
- Costs almost nothing
PRO TIP Keep the rope short and tight. Long loose rope can tangle around legs or necks.
2Homemade Bottle Treat Dispenser
Cut a few small holes in a clean plastic bottle, fill it with scratch grains or dried mealworms, and screw the cap back on.
Chickens roll it around and treats fall out a few at a time. It is a little puzzle for them and so funny to watch. Sand the hole edges smooth so nothing can cut them. If you want a sturdier version, a chicken treat ball works the same way.
- Turns treats into a game
- Upcycled and cheap
- Keeps hens moving
3Wooden Coop Swing
Yes, chickens really do use swings. It takes a few days, but once one brave hen tries it, the others follow.
A simple swing is just a sturdy branch or dowel hung from two short chains. Hang it low at first, about a foot off the ground. If you would rather not build one, a ready made chicken swing is cheap and quick.
- Builds confidence
- Great boredom buster
- Fun to watch
Project Card · 30 minutes · Easy
Materials Needed
- 1 smooth branch or wooden dowel, about 18 inches long and 1.5 inches thick
- 2 short lengths of chain or sturdy rope
- 2 screw eyes
- 2 ceiling hooks
- Drill and sandpaper
How to Make It
- Sand the branch so there are no splinters.
- Screw a screw eye into each end of the branch.
- Attach a chain to each screw eye.
- Hang the chains from hooks screwed into a coop beam, with the perch about 12 inches off the ground.
- Give it a firm push to check it is secure, then sprinkle a few treats under it to tempt your hens.
4Homemade Pecking Block for Enrichment
A pecking block is a hard cake of seeds and grains that chickens peck at slowly. It keeps them busy for days and is perfect for winter or rainy weeks.
Store bought blocks are pricey, but homemade ones cost very little. In my experience the hens go crazy for the sunflower seeds in it. Remember treats like this should stay a small part of their diet.
- Lasts for days
- Perfect for winter
- Way cheaper than store bought
Project Card · 1 hour plus cooling · Easy
Materials Needed
- 2 cups scratch grains
- 1 cup layer feed
- 1/2 cup black oil sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup dried mealworms
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1/2 cup melted coconut oil
- A round cake pan
How to Make It
- Heat the oven to 350°F and grease the pan.
- Mix all the dry ingredients in a big bowl.
- Whisk the eggs, molasses and coconut oil, then stir into the dry mix.
- Press the mix firmly into the pan and bake for about 30 minutes until hard.
- Let it cool fully, then set it on a board in the run.
PRO TIP Do not want to bake? A ready made pecking block works too. Either way, give it once or twice a week, not every day.
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View the 30-Day Plan Printable PDF · Instant download5DIY Dust Bath Box for the Coop
Dust bathing is how chickens clean themselves and keep mites away. It is also one of their favorite things to do.
A simple wooden box filled with sand and dry soil gives them a spot even when the ground is wet. Put it somewhere covered so rain does not turn it into mud.
- Keeps mites away
- Natural chicken spa
- Works in wet weather
Project Card · 1 hour · Easy
Materials Needed
- 4 boards for a box about 3 feet by 2 feet and 10 inches deep
- Exterior wood screws and a drill
- Play sand
- Dry garden soil
- A little wood ash from untreated wood, optional
How to Make It
- Screw the four boards together into a shallow open box.
- Set it in a dry, covered corner of the run.
- Fill it with about two parts sand and one part dry soil.
- Mix in a scoop of wood ash if you like.
- Rake it once a week and top it up when it gets low.
6Frozen Treat Block Boredom Buster
On hot days this one is a lifesaver. Freeze berries, peas and chopped greens in water using a cake pan or bowl.
Pop it out in the run and your hens will peck at it until it melts. It keeps them busy and helps cool them down. I like making a few at once and keeping them in the freezer for heat waves.
- Cools hens down
- Fun summer treat
- Make ahead and freeze
7Forage Box Enrichment Toy
Chickens are born to scratch and search. A forage box lets them do exactly that.
Fill a shallow box with straw or dry leaves and hide scratch grains or mealworms inside. They will dig, scratch and hunt for ages. Switch what you hide each week to keep it interesting.
- Natural foraging
- Keeps flock busy
- Easy to refresh
8A Frame Coop Perch Ladder
Chickens love to climb and perch at different heights. An A frame ladder gives them a little jungle gym.
Use smooth rungs about 2 inches wide so their feet stay comfy. Keep it no taller than 3 feet so heavier birds do not hurt themselves jumping down.
- Exercise and play
- Gives shy hens space
- Simple wood build
9Muffin Tin Treat Puzzle Boredom Buster
Put a few treats in each cup of an old muffin tin and cover some cups with tennis balls or small plastic cups.
The hens have to knock the covers off to get the prize. It is such a fun boredom buster, and you will be surprised how quickly they figure it out.
- Brain game for hens
- Uses what you have
- Quick to set up
10Fun Chicken Xylophone
This one sounds silly, but chickens love it. Hang a small toy xylophone on the run fence and smear a little yogurt or stick a few treats on the keys.
They peck, it plays a note, and soon they peck just for the sound. A chicken xylophone is made for this, or use a sturdy kids one with non toxic paint.
- Silly and fun
- Encourages pecking play
- Easy to hang
Frequently Asked Questions
Do chickens really need toys?
Yes, especially when they spend a lot of time in a run. Toys reduce boredom, stress and bad habits like feather pecking.
What are the best homemade chicken toys?
A hanging cabbage, a dust bath box, a pecking block and a simple swing are easy to make and loved by most flocks.
How often should I give chickens treats?
Treats should be a small part of their diet, about one tenth. Most of their food should be a complete layer feed.
What should I avoid in chicken toys?
Avoid long loose strings, sharp edges, painted items with toxic paint, and treats like avocado, chocolate, salty food or anything moldy.
Final Thoughts on Chicken Toys DIY
Happy chickens are busy chickens. A few simple toys can make a big difference in how calm and healthy your flock feels.
Start with a hanging cabbage and a dust bath box this weekend. Then add a swing or a pecking block, and watch your coop turn into the most fun spot in the yard.
Amir Ali is the founder and site administrator of HomeDecorEdge, a modern home decor and interior design platform. Since starting the site, he has combined his passion for interior design, practical styling, and color coordination with hands-on content strategy and site management. He guides authors, curates high-quality articles, and ensures readers have access to actionable, visually inspiring, and user-focused home decor advice for apartments, small rooms, and family homes.