Specialized chicken toys are effective in relieving stagnant egg production for stressed layer hens

Chickens are becoming common household pets in the United States. Although they provide eggs and companionship, they also invite additional financial strains resulting from common health issues, such as stress. In chickens, stress can appear as behavioral fatigue and an overall lethargic physical appearance. We examined associations between laying hens’ distressed behavior, interactions with specialized handmade chicken toys, and resulting egg production rates. Knowing that chickens may be naturally drawn to colorful items and interaction with them can combat stress, we hypothesize that stressed hens who interact with Free Feathers Foundation’s handmade chicken toys for three weeks will yield higher egg production rates at the end of that period than hens who do not have access to such enrichment. We observed at two different test locations that there was a statistically significant difference in egg production rates between stressed hens who received specialized chicken toys and those who did not. Hens who were part of the experimental groups and received enrichment demonstrated higher average egg counts per week as opposed to the control groups which received no toys during the interaction period. Statistically significant differences between each group’s initial and final egg production rates (number of eggs per week) and behaviors were observed when chickens interacted with the handmade toys. Free Feathers Foundation’s handcrafted toys may be cost-effective alternatives for inaccessible enrichment options for low-income chicken owners if their hens are suffering from stress, which may boost egg production for initially stagnant egg producers.