In the winter when the chickens are all cooped up and bored with nothing to do, we like to make pinatas for them. We've heard that giving them extra activities to do, when they can't get out to free-range, will help them from going bonkers and even in some cases, from going cannibalistic. Here is a little recipe for a home made treat.
Put 2 cups of their scratch grains into a large bowl and add 1 cup of rolled oats, 1 cup of cornmeal, a hand full of raisins or blueberries, cranberries or other small berry, 3/4 cup molasses or honey or mix half each, 3 or 4 eggs and 1/2 cup of beef tallow or lard. Mix it all up and put it in a couple greased pans, I used bread pans.
Bake at 375 for about 25 minutes or so. You'll want it to be firm in the center so they don't just rip it apart. I like for it to last at least a day or so.
I will be making up a batch tomorrow so hopefully remembering to take some photos to share. I will be trying to put a whole in one end so that I can hang it for them to peck at.
We also hang a head of cabbage by sticking a screw into the core and hanging that from above. They love it.
Pinatas make for happy chickens, I hope you will try it for yours!
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