8 Ingenious DIY Chicken Projects

Keeping chickens is a rewarding venture and a gateway to a world of feathered delight and self-sufficiency.

The clucking of content hens, the promise of fresh eggs, and the joys of a backyard filled with these charming creatures make it a truly enriching experience.

But what adds an extra layer of fulfillment to chicken keeping is the opportunity to craft ingenious solutions that enhance the well-being of your flock.

The do-it-yourself spirit allows you to create practical and entertaining additions to your coop. In this article, we’ll delve into a delightful assortment of DIY projects, each designed to bring joy to your chickens.

Hanging Treats

To create hanging treats for your chickens, you’ll need a corn cob, pumpkin, cabbage or other vegetables, and a piece of sturdy wire.

Simply thread the wire through the cob or vegetable, creating a loop at the top.

Hang it securely in your coop or run.

Your chickens will enjoy pecking at the treats, keeping them entertained, and providing them with nutrition and enrichment.

Related: The Best Fowls to Raise for SHTF: Quail, Chicken, Turkey, etc.

Materials Needed:

• Corn cob, pumpkin, or cabbage
• Sturdy wire or twine

Assembly Instructions:

1. Begin by selecting a fresh corn cob, pumpkin, or cabbage. These will serve as both a nutritious treat and an entertaining distraction for your chickens.
2. Next, take a piece of sturdy wire or twine. The length of the wire will depend on the height at which you want to hang the treat and the structure of your coop or run. It’s advisable to work with around 1 to 2 feet of wire.
3. Thread one wire end through the top of the corn cob, pumpkin, or cabbage. If you’re using a corn cob, insert the wire through the center where the cob was attached to the plant. For pumpkins or cabbages, create a loop around the stem or core.
4. Twist or tie the wire securely at the top to form a loop. This loop will serve as the hanger for the treat.
5. Find a suitable location in your coop or run to hang the treat. You can use existing hooks, nails, or fixtures or install a hook or screw in a safe spot.
6. Hang the treat securely, ensuring it’s at an appropriate height for your chickens to reach but not so low that they can easily knock it to the ground.
7. Your chickens will love pecking and pecking at the treat, trying to access the delicious morsels inside. This provides them a nutritious snack and keeps them entertained, reducing boredom and encouraging natural foraging behaviors.

Dust Bath From Tires

Repurposing old tires for a dust bath requires a few used tires and sand or fine dirt.

Lay the tires flat in your coop or run, and fill them with sand or dirt.

Chickens instinctively roll in the dust to clean their feathers and combat mites.

Related: The Prepper’s Guide For Raising Chickens

Materials Needed:

• Used tires
• Sand or fine dirt

Assembly Instructions:

1. Gather one or more used tires, depending on the size of your flock and the available space in your coop or run.
2. Lay the tires flat on the ground in your coop or run. Ensure they are stable and won’t tip over when your chickens use them.
3. Fill the inside of the tires with sand or fine dirt. You can obtain sand from a local hardware store or use soil from your yard.
4. Spread the sand or dirt evenly within the tires, creating a comfortable, dust-filled area for your chickens.
5. Your chickens instinctively use the dust bath to clean their feathers and combat mites. They’ll roll in the sand or dirt, creating a cloud of dust that adheres to their feathers and helps keep them free of pests.

Chicken Swing

For a chicken swing, gather a long wooden stick or a sturdy branch and a length of rope.

Tie one end of the rope securely to the stick and the other end to a sturdy overhead structure in the coop. Ensure the swing is at a height that allows the chickens to hop on easily.

Many people are unaware that chickens require mental stimulation and exercise through activities like the swinging motion. Learn here more chicken secrets that nobody told you about.

Materials Needed:

• Long wooden stick or sturdy branch
• Length of rope
• Sturdy overhead structure (e.g., a beam, rafter, or sturdy hook)

Assembly Instructions:

1. Begin by finding a long, straight wooden stick or a sturdy branch. This should be wide enough and strong enough to support the weight of your chickens. A length of around 2 to 3 feet should work well.
2. Cut a length of rope, typically 3 to 4 feet long, depending on the swing height you desire. Ensure the rope is strong and can bear the weight of the swing and your chickens.
3. Securely tie one end of the rope to the middle of the wooden stick or branch. Use a strong knot, like a square knot or a bowline, to ensure it won’t come loose.
4. Locate a sturdy overhead structure in your chicken coop or run. This could be a beam, rafter, or a sturdy hook attached to the coop’s frame.
5. Tie the other end of the rope to this overhead structure, ensuring it’s at an appropriate height for your chickens to hop quickly on and off the swing.
6. Once the swing is set up, your chickens will enjoy the gentle rocking motion. This provides mental stimulation and exercise, keeping them active and happy.

Nesting Boxes from Recycled Materials

Repurpose old drawers or buckets as nesting boxes by cleaning them thoroughly and securing them in your coop.

These boxes create cozy and private spots for hens to lay their eggs.

This ensures the eggs stay clean and making it easier for you to collect them.

If your chickens are not laying many eggs, make sure to feed them this plant. This will help increase their egg production to almost double.

Materials Needed:

• Old drawers or buckets
• Screws or nails
• A saw (if necessary)
• Cleaning supplies (e.g., soap, water, and a scrub brush)
• A screwdriver or hammer

Assembly Instructions:

1. Start by collecting old drawers or buckets. These can be obtained from yard sales, thrift stores, or discarded items you may have on hand.
2. If you’re using old drawers, check that they are clean and free of any contaminants. Scrub them thoroughly with soap, water, and a scrub brush. For buckets, ensure they are also clean and dry.
3. Determine the number of nesting boxes you want in your coop based on the size of your flock. Each nesting box should be about 12x12x12 inches to accommodate a hen comfortably.
4. Secure the drawers or buckets in your coop by attaching them to the coop’s structure. If using drawers, ensure they are level and spaced apart to provide enough room for each nesting box.
5. Attach the drawers or buckets securely to the coop using screws or nails. Please ensure they are stable and won’t move or fall during use.
6. Place some clean bedding material (such as straw or hay) inside each nesting box to make it comfortable for your hens to lay their eggs.
7. Your chickens will naturally use these cozy and private nesting boxes to lay their eggs, ensuring they stay clean and easily accessible for you to collect.

Related: Best DIY Food Projects For When SHTF

Grazing Box

To make a grazing box, build a wooden frame with chicken wire on the sides and top. Fill it with grass and herbs for your chickens to nibble on.

Chickens will love having access to fresh greens, which can improve their diet and overall health while also providing natural pest control.

Materials Needed:

• Wooden boards (2×2 or 2×4 lumber works well)
• Chicken wire or hardware cloth
• Screws or nails
• Saw (if necessary)
• Grass and herb plants or seeds

Assembly Instructions:

1. Begin by gathering your materials. You’ll need wooden boards for the frame, chicken wire or hardware cloth for the sides and top, screws or nails to secure the frame, and grass and herb plants or seeds to plant inside the box.
2. Measure and cut the wooden boards to the desired size for the frame. A square or rectangular shape is typical; the dimensions will depend on the available space and the number of chickens you have. A box around 2×2 or 4×4 feet works well for a small flock.
3. Assemble the wooden frame by connecting the boards at the corners using screws or nails. Ensure the structure is sturdy and level, as it will support the weight of the chicken wire and the plants.
4. Cover the sides and top of the frame with chicken wire or hardware cloth. This material will protect the plants while allowing your chickens to peck through it.
5. Place the grazing box in your coop or run, ensuring it’s secure and stable.
6. Fill the grazing box with soil and plant grass and herb seeds or starter plants. Choose plants that are safe for chickens, such as clover, chickweed, or basil. These plants will provide fresh greens for your chickens to nibble on.
7. As the plants grow, your chickens will enjoy having access to fresh greens, which can improve their diet and overall health. Additionally, the plants can act as natural pest control, attracting insects for your chickens to forage on. It’s a simple, cost-effective way to provide your flock with natural food sources and enrichment.

Chicken Tunnel

Construct a chicken tunnel using sections of wire or chicken wire panels. Create a covered walkway that allows your chickens to safely move from one area to another.

This tunnel gives them more space to explore, protects them from predators, and prevents them from damaging your garden or yard.

Materials Needed:

• Chicken wire or hardware cloth
• Wooden or metal stakes
• Cable ties or wire
• Wire cutters
• Hammer or mallet

Assembly Instructions:

1. Gather the necessary materials, which include chicken wire or hardware cloth, wooden or metal stakes, cable ties or wire, wire cutters, and a hammer or mallet.
2. Determine the route and placement of your chicken tunnel. Identify the starting and ending points, ensuring that the tunnel provides access to areas you want your chickens to explore while keeping them safe from predators.
3. Begin by securing one end of the chicken wire or hardware cloth to a sturdy structure or post. This will serve as the starting point for your tunnel.
4. Unroll or extend the chicken wire or hardware cloth along your planned path. To create a curved tunnel, you can use wooden or metal stakes to bend and shape the wire accordingly.
5. Attach the wire to the ground at intervals using stakes. Hammer the stakes into the ground, and use cable ties or wire to securely fasten the wire to the stakes.
6. Continue unrolling or extending the wire until you reach the desired endpoint, ensuring it is taut and secure.
7. Cover the top of the tunnel with additional sections of chicken wire or hardware cloth. Attach them to the sides of the tunnel to create a covered walkway.
8. Secure the ends of the wire at the endpoint using stakes, cable ties, or wire to create a safe exit from the tunnel.
9. Ensure that the tunnel is predator-proof by inspecting for gaps or loose sections. Make any necessary adjustments or reinforcements.

Egg Carton Feeder

Repurposing empty egg cartons is simple. Just fill the cups with chicken feed or treats, and place the carton in your coop or run.

Your chickens can peck at the feed, keeping them engaged and reducing food waste. It’s a low-cost way to provide entertainment and sustenance.

Materials Needed:

• Empty cardboard egg carton
• Chicken feed or treats

Assembly Instructions:

1. Collect empty cardboard egg cartons, preferably those with a dozen or more cups. These can be saved from your egg consumption or gathered from friends and family.
2. Thoroughly clean the egg carton to remove any residual eggshell or debris. Make sure it’s dry before use.
3. Fill each cup of the egg carton with chicken feed or treats. You can use their regular meal or a special treat mixture. This provides your chickens with entertainment and sustenance.
4. Place the filled egg carton in your coop or run, positioning it securely and level. You can rest it on the ground, a wooden block, or an elevated surface.
5. Your chickens will enjoy pecking and foraging for food in the egg carton cups. It engages their natural foraging instincts and provides mental stimulation.

Homemade Grit Dispenser

Make a grit dispenser by poking small holes in a plastic container with a lid.

Fill it with poultry grit and place it in your coop.

Chickens can access grit to aid their digestion, ensuring they process food effectively and remain healthy.

Related: 7 Chicken Mistakes You Should Never Make

Materials Needed:

• Plastic container with a lid (a clean, empty, and dry container works well)
• A small drill or a heated nail for making holes
• Poultry grit

Assembly Instructions:

1. Begin by selecting a suitable plastic container with a lid. This can be a recycled container, such as a plastic coffee can, yogurt container, or similar item. Ensure it is clean, empty, and dry.
2. Create small holes in the lid with a small drill or a heated nail. The holes should be large enough for the poultry grit to flow through but not too large that it pours out too quickly. Typically, 1/8 to 1/4-inch holes work well.
3. Fill the container with poultry grit, a type of crushed rock or small stones that helps chickens grind down their food in their gizzards for more efficient digestion.
4. Secure the lid on the container, ensuring it’s tightly closed.
5. Place the homemade grit dispenser in your chicken coop, preferably in a sheltered area, to keep the grit dry and clean.
6. Your chickens can access the grit through the small holes in the lid as needed.

As you embark on these creative projects for your beloved chickens, may your DIY endeavors be filled with fun and satisfaction.

The joy of watching your chickens enjoy these simple yet innovative additions to their environment is a reward in itself. Whether it’s the hanging treats, the chicken swing, the grazing box, or any other project you choose, you’re contributing to the happiness and well-being of your flock.

So, here’s to many more clucks of contentment and a delightful time spent tending to your feathered friends. Happy crafting and chicken-keeping!

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