Building the Ultimate Chicken Playground

Nestled in the heart of the Washington countryside, Rocking B Farms is more than just a haven for chickens; it’s a thriving example of how thoughtful care and community connections can create something truly special.

Known for its hands-on summer camp program, where children adopt and care for their chickens, the rescue farm fosters a sense of compassion and responsibility in every visitor.

From hand-raising their gentle flock to crafting innovative portable coops that keep the chickens healthy and happy, Rocking B Farms showcases a deep commitment to animal welfare and sustainable farming practices. Visitors quickly see that the chickens enjoy a life of enrichment, with custom-built equipment like perches in coops and plenty of space to scratch and peck.

Chickens at Rocking B Farms are raised with exceptional care, resulting in their gentle and sweet natures.

“Every one of these chickens was hand-raised with love,” said Amy Kimmons, owner of Rocking B Farms. “During the summer, our campers get to adopt a chicken to care for. They learn to feed, water and look after them, which is part of their experience here. It creates a wonderful bond between the kids and the chickens.”

This approach fosters compassion in young campers and ensures the chickens are accustomed to human interaction, making them calm and approachable. This is an integral part of any enrichment program for backyard chickens and just as important as activities like dust baths and swings.

Keep Flocks Healthy

Portable Chicken Tractors

The farm’s innovative practices extend to the design of its portable chicken tractor, a lightweight structure built from two-by-fours and durable plastic mesh.

“When the ground gets too messy, we just lift the four corners and move it,” Kimmons explained. “It’s so practical for keeping chickens healthy and their environment fresh.”

This clever design allows the flock to graze on fresh ground while staying protected from the elements.

From offering fresh grass to do-it-yourself (DIY) perches, chicken keepers can follow the lead of other poultry experts to ensure their flock is living its best life. Providing chickens with enrichment opportunities like perches — which offer a safe and elevated spot for roosting, reducing stress — and dust baths can further enhance their well-being.

Chicken swings

Swings are an easy addition. You only need a wooden board, durable rope, eye hooks and basic tools like a drill. You can also use tree limbs or branches and baling twine from the barn. Hang the swing at a good height in the chicken coop or run and test for stability. A brave chicken is bound to hop on and enjoy the movement.

Hanging treats

Create a cabbage piñata by using a simple metal hanging basket in the run and adding a cabbage for chickens to peck at throughout the day.
Another favorite is a basket stuffed with lettuce and veggies. In the chicken run, you can also build a slightly raised herb or salad garden. Cover the garden with hardware cloth to protect the roots.

Creative perches

Perches are resting places for chickens. Hens prefer being off the ground while resting, and having plenty of creative options will keep a flock happy. You can add logs, lumber and cinder blocks throughout the chicken run.

Ensure there is enough space between perches to avoid overcrowding. The more chickens you have, the more roosts you will need. Creating different levels gives the flock choices and challenges their agility. Rotate or reposition perches occasionally to keep chickens interested.

Now your coop is really starting to look like a chicken playground.

Dust bath areas

Dust baths are essential for keeping feathers clean and free of parasites. The process is crucial to a chicken’s health. Chickens will dust bathe in groups; you can use dry dirt, wood ash and builder’s sand, adding herbs for extra benefits.

For a container, consider an old metal laundry basin or washtub. A child’s wading pool also works and makes a great addition to the chicken area.
Providing shade is another key element of enrichment. Always choose shade over full sun, and make sure you have a tarp to cover the coop or a large corner of the run. Patio umbrellas and large tree branches also work well.

Maintaining a safe and engaging environment is important anytime you build equipment from scratch for your flock. Regularly check DIY projects for wear and tear to ensure safety.

• Replace worn ropes, damaged wood or contaminated dust bath materials.
• Change up features to keep chickens curious and engaged.

The combination of thoughtful care, engaging enrichment and hands-on experiences at Rocking B Farms demonstrates how dedicated stewardship can create a thriving, happy flock, which ultimately leads to healthier chickens and better eggs.