Funny, never thought about hanging an apple. Going to try that.
Thanks

I bet any wind-up toy would drive chickens batty. Or do they still even make wind-up toys?

I would love some ideas for my girls this winter. I tried the cabbage thing. They ignored the cabbage altogether, unless I broke it off into little pieces and gave it to them, then they loved it. They`re a bit spoiled, I think. I removed the frozen cabbage ball after about a week. It occurs to me that they were all very young last winter. This year a cabbage may work better. They have learned how to forage a bit better now.

-Sheryl

Here is a link that might be useful: Providence Acres Farm Blog

Sheryl,
Give them grapes or cherry tomatoes or any small round fruit that isn't citrus, and they bowl. If you suspend a piece of toast on a string, they love to play with that. Also, if you have a melon that is past it's prime (my produce manager at the grocery will let me have an over-ripe melon for a dime--he has to charge according to the store's rules)just cut it in half and let them dive in, literally!
I think wind-up toys as suggested by Rockguy would frighten my ladies into not laying for a week! They have attitude, but they aren't overly brave.
Your chickens aren't spoiled, and neither are mine!

Ha, that's funny! I remember my old neighbor telling me that she remembers a news article where guineas were playing 'soccer' with a balloon, I guess they were trying to attack it or something.

Maybe get a remote control car, put some food on top of it and have fun letting them chase it around?