For those keeping backyard hens, there’s a delightful hack to enrich their lives and feed them simultaneously: hanging a green cabbage in the coop. This simple idea—straight from chicken enthusiasts—combines play and nutrition into a low‑tech chicken “treat‑gym.” Below is a fully rewritten and expanded guide based on the original article format, enriched with safety tips, variations, and expert advice. All quotes are preserved.
Why Hang a Cabbage?
Hanging a cabbage isn’t just about feeding your flock—it’s about offering them mental and physical stimulation. Chickens are natural foragers who enjoy a little challenge. By suspending a head of cabbage, you turn mealtime into a game. They peck, peck, jump, and nudge, keeping them active, especially during seasons when their run is limited. This approach has been called a “low tech chicken gym” for good reason.YouTube+1Facebook+1
What You’ll Need
Here’s a list of the basic materials:
- One green cabbage
- A length of sturdy rope, twine, or wire
- A skewer, metal wire, J‑hook, or large screw to thread through the cabbage core
- Something sturdy in the coop or run ceiling to anchor the cabbage
Several DIYers online report success with simple tools:
“I push a stiff wire all the way through the core and then make a small bend in the end of it. I then hang it inside the coop about 12″ off the floor. 19 hens can eat a large head in about 3 hours.”BackYard Chickens+1Sunset Magazine+1
Another chimed in:
“I just tied a piece of string to a large screw and just screwed it into the stem end of the head of cabbage. Worked fine for me.”Facebook+3BackYard Chickens+3Sunset Magazine+3
Step‑by‑Step Assembly
- Select a fresh, firm green cabbage. Avoid overly leafy or wilted heads.
- Thread your rope or wire: Use a skewer or screwdriver to pierce the cabbage through its core. If using a screw or wire, twist it securely into the center.
- Attach rope or twine, tying a solid knot or loop.
- Secure the other end overhead in the coop: a hook, beam, or sturdy fixture.
- Adjust so the cabbage dangles about 30 cm (12 inches) off the floor—easy enough for pecking but keeps them hopping slightly.YouTube+2Facebook+2Yahoo+2Sunset Magazine+1YouTube+1
What Happens Next?
Your chickens will likely approach the cabbage with curiosity. As they peck and pull, it swings—just like a tetherball—foraging instinct gets triggered. While some chickens might cautiously ignore it at first, many soon treat it like a treat‑ball, attacking it enthusiastically. One report noted:
“I hang them above head height so they have to hop a little to eat them. I also hang them above the chicken swing, so they have to maintain …”YouTube+5Reddit+5Sunset Magazine+5
What If They Ignore It?
In one case, chickens simply walked past the cabbage entirely, treating it like furniture:
“They looked at our cabbage head … like it was a boulder. Or invisible. Note Honey walking by it like it didn’t exist.”Sunset Magazine
That experiment switched to hanging a peeled cantaloupe, which worked brilliantly—chickens immediately pecked it like a piñata. However, a still, stable vegetable may be more their vibe.
Safety Tips
Hanging cabbage isn’t risk‑free. Use these precautions:
- Avoid long, unprotected strings that could entangle hens.
- Supervise the flock the first few times you hang the cabbage.Sunset MagazineYahoo+2Country Living+2BackYard Chickens+2
- One breeder shared: “A chicken w/ a dislocated wing … found tangled in the string & hanging by a wing … by the time they got the poor thing to the vet, it died.”Country Living+1BackYard Chickens+1
- Use natural sisal rope or smooth wire and avoid knotted twine loops.
- Hang at safe height: hens shouldn’t have to jump so high they risk spraining.
Benefits of Hanging Greens
1. Exercise & Enrichment
A swinging cabbage encourages flapping, hopping, head-tilts and persistent pecking. This mimics natural behaviors and helps prevent boredom—especially during winter when movements are limited.Yahoo+1BackYard Chickens+1Facebook+3Country Living+3Sunset Magazine+3
2. Fresh Green Nutrition
Chickens enjoy leafy greens and vegetables—they add fiber, vitamins, and moisture to their diet. Hanging cabbage lets them eat slowly and engage more than if offered on the ground.
3. Slows Consumption
The mobility of the treat means they can’t feast all at once—they must work for it, extending the enjoyment.
Variations & Alternatives
If cabbage doesn’t work, here are other fun options:
- Lettuce heads
- Carrot bunches, tied securely
- Melon halves or cantaloupe hooked with twine
One owner described switching to melon after cabbage flop:
“They prefer to step on their food and keep it still while they eat, so … cut the melon down. A few hours later, the only thing left was a little bit of skin.”Yahoo+4Sunset Magazine+4BackYard Chickens+4
Ideal Practices for Long-Term Use
To maximize benefit and safety:
- Rotate the vegetable periodically to maintain novelty—don’t hang the same cabbage for days.
- Clean up debris regularly. Leaf litter can accumulate and attract pests.
- Combine with other enrichment, like straw bales, logs, or dust-bathing areas.
- Monitor chicken behavior: if one bird dominates or tries to jump dangerously, adjust height or spacing.
Seasonal Considerations
- Winter months: Hanging cabbage is especially useful when outdoor foraging is limited by cold or snow.
- Summer months: Use more hydrating options like melon or leafy greens to prevent spoilage.
Per Country Living’s experts:
“It’s super easy to make your own hanging cabbage; you just need a cabbage, a drill, and a piece of rope.”Country Living+1Yahoo+1
Summary Table
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| Select Veg | Fresh green cabbage (or alternative like lettuce or melon) |
| Pierce Core | Skewer, screw, or stiff wire through center |
| Attach Rope | Tie securely, avoiding loose loops that could entangle hens |
| Hang Properly | Suspend ~30 cm off ground from reliable fixture |
| Supervise | Watch initial reaction to ensure no accidents occur |
| Rotate Variety | Replace frequently for novelty and prevent spoil |
| Clean | Remove scraps regularly, check area for buildup |
| Observe | Note if some hens need extra access or if height adjustment is needed |
Final Thoughts
This hanging cabbage trick transforms an ordinary vegetable into a chicken play toy and healthy snack. Often referred to as a “low tech chicken gym,” it addresses physical activity, curiosity, and diet all at once.Sunset MagazineCountry Living
It’s important to proceed with caution—secure attachment and vigilant monitoring are key. But when done right, boredom disappears, hens peck happily, and you hear content clucking instead of restless pacing.
Whether you’re facing a dull winter coop or want to offer fun enrichment to your flock, the swinging cabbage hack is easy, affordable, and surprisingly effective. Just remember: start safe, supervise, and see your hens light up with excitement.
With this approach, your chickens get enrichment, exercise, and extra greens—all without fancy gear or complicated routines. Try the swinging cabbage hack this week—and watch your flocks’ happiness—and pecking enthusiasm—grow.