1. Festive Chicken Treat Garland
Create a holiday-themed snack garland that doubles as enrichment for your chickens. Here’s how:
What You’ll Need:
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Strong twine or natural string
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Needle (large enough for threading string)
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Chicken-safe treats such as cranberries, apple slices, leafy greens, or unsalted popcorn
How to Make It:
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Cut a length of string that’s long enough to drape across their run or coop.
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Thread the needle and carefully string together the treats, alternating colors and textures for a festive look.
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Hang the garland where your chickens can peck at it safely.
Not only is this garland fun and decorative, but it also provides your chickens with a mental and physical challenge.
2. Homemade Chicken Treat Blocks
Forget store-bought treat blocks; making your own is easier (and healthier) than you think.
What You’ll Need:
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Chicken feed
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Blackstrap molasses
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Cracked corn or mealworms (optional for extra protein)
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A muffin tin or small molds
How to Make It:
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Mix chicken feed, molasses, and optional add-ins in a bowl until it forms a sticky consistency.
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Press the mixture firmly into the muffin tins or molds.
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Let them harden overnight in a cool place. If needed, bake at a low temperature (around 200°F) for 1-2 hours.
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Pop the blocks out and offer them to your chickens as a special treat.
3. DIY Dust Bath Station
Dust baths are essential for a chicken’s hygiene and happiness. Spruce up their dust bath area with some holiday flair!
What You’ll Need:
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A large, shallow container or a designated dust bath spot
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Sand or fine dirt
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Wood ash (ensure it’s free from chemicals and toxins)
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Dried herbs like lavender, mint, or rosemary for a festive scent
How to Make It:
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Mix sand, wood ash, and dried herbs together.
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Fill the container with the mixture.
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Add some decorative holiday touches around the dust bath (but keep decorations out of reach to avoid ingestion).
Your chickens will love rolling around and cleaning themselves in their upgraded spa-like bath.
4. Cozy Coop Decor
Give your chickens’ coop a cheerful holiday makeover! While decorations should be safe and non-toxic, there are plenty of ways to make their space feel festive.
Ideas Include:
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Adding natural garlands made from pine branches (make sure they’re non-toxic and free of chemicals).
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Hanging chicken-safe ornaments like pinecones stuffed with peanut butter and birdseed.
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Using LED string lights outside the coop for a warm, festive glow (keep cords out of pecking range).
5. Foraging Wreath
Make a foraging wreath to keep your chickens entertained and active during the colder months.
What You’ll Need:
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A wire wreath frame or grapevine wreath
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Fresh greens (kale, spinach, or other chicken-safe options)
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Treats like berries or small veggies
How to Make It:
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Weave greens into the wreath frame, securing them tightly.
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Add treats throughout the wreath for your chickens to discover.
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Hang it at chicken eye level and watch them enjoy!
Bonus Tip: Keep Your Chickens Warm
While treats and gifts are great, don’t forget the basics. Make sure your flock has plenty of fresh bedding, proper ventilation, and a draft-free coop to keep them cozy all winter long. Offering warm oatmeal or scrambled eggs on cold mornings is another simple way to show your love.
