A Guide to Enrichment for your Hens

The importance of enrichment for your hens in rear and lay

Stimulation and enrichment for your hens is vitally important – and can play a key role in reducing bullying and bad behaviour. With over 50 years’ experience in the poultry industry here at Potters Poultry, we are experts in how to care for your hens throughout their life. Here’s our handy guide to enrichments.

The importance of using enrichment for your hens

A hen that is not provided with adequate enrichment and mental stimulation is more likely to start behaving badly in lay through actions like feather pecking and bullying. Studies have shown that hens are stimulated by visual enrichment, particularly those involving movement. Those that are provided with enrichment exhibit less fear when they are transferred to unfamiliar environments.

What is an enrichment?

It’s likely you’re already giving your hens enrichments without realising it. Any activity that encourages natural behaviours can be considered playing. Therefore, any item that encourages activity is an enrichment.

What types of enrichments are there?

There any many different types of enrichments, including:

Social enrichment – although it may seem obvious, hens are social animals and it’s important they have interaction with others. Where this isn’t possible, enrichments such as mirrors or CD’s are a good alternative option.

Nutritional enrichment – hens enjoy foraging and tasty treats, so nutritional enrichment is always useful. Items such as Pecking blocks and footballs are great tools to prevent boredom. At Potters we use a product called Avipeck in our rearing houses, which is made of whole grains and grit to provide a source of interest.

Visual enrichment – this is a really fun one. Hens love something a little different, so objects like a xylophone can keep them entertained for hours. Other visual enrichments include hanging empty disinfectant containers from the equipment with dots drawn on them.  They love pecking at the dots!

Tactile enrichment – this is a great form of enrichment to encourage hens to interact with their environment and redirect problematic behaviour. Examples include colourful balls.

It’s important to note that every flock is unique, and therefore they may react to enrichments differently. As a result, make sure to observe their interactions with the enrichment tools as they are added to the hen’s environment and monitor to prevent any discomfort or fear.

To find out more information on how Potters Poultry can provide enrichment to your hens in rear get in touch with our team on 01788 536161.