Making a chicken Christmas wreath for your coop is fun for chicken keepers to assemble and for chickens to enjoy. The wreath should be safe and edible, since chickens are naturally curious, especially about shiny or sparkly objects, which can be hazardous if ingested. Homemade wreaths may not glitter or glow, but they are designed to be delicious and safe for birds.
Chicken Christmas wreaths can be made in a range of difficulty levels so that family members of all ages can participate in assembling them. Wreaths can be hung on run fences or coop walls, providing a fun and interactive way for chickens to enjoy seasonal treats.
Chicken Christmas wreaths should be offered in moderation to ensure they supplement, rather than replace, the flock’s regular feed. In areas with raccoons, opossums, or other predators, wreaths should be removed when not supervised to avoid attracting unwanted visitors.
1. Make a Popcorn & Cranberry Chicken Christmas Wreath
Chicken Christmas wreaths can be made from simple, safe ingredients like popcorn and cranberries. To create one, use 18- or 20-gauge jewelry wire from a craft store—thicker wire may break the popcorn, while thinner wire can be difficult to thread and may not hold the shape.
Cut a length of wire between 20 and 36 inches, depending on the desired wreath size, and carefully shape it into a circle.
Use unsalted, unflavored popcorn (freshly popped works best) and cranberries that have been chilled for at least two hours. Leave one to two inches of wire free at both ends, then gently string the popcorn and cranberries in any alternating pattern.
Twist the free ends together to close the wreath circle. The extra wire can be used to attach the wreath to a run fence or hang it safely inside the chicken coop.
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2. DIY Fruit Wreath Your Chickens Will Love
The same concept as the popcorn/cranberry wreath, just a step up on the difficulty scale. Substitute chilled green grapes and chilled grape or cherry tomatoes for the popcorn and cranberries. This may become a chicken favorite since it incorporates two favorite summer snacks.
Unlike the popcorn-cranberry version, these wreaths should only be hung outdoors with your chickens due to the fruits’ high moisture content.
3. Broccoli Wreath for Edible Chicken Christmas Fun
For this wreath, use five broccoli crowns, either quartered or separated into large florets. Either way, leave about an inch or more of stem.
Wrap 22- to 26-gauge florist’s wire (available at craft stores) about eight to 10 times around one stem. Then continue to the next broccoli segment and repeat, leaving a two to three-inch length of wire between the pieces. Repeat until all the broccoli is used.
Connect back to the first piece and wrap the wire around the stem multiple times. Then leave a six-inch length of wire at the end. This half-foot of wire will be threaded through your run fence to hang your broccoli wreath.
It may not win any prizes for appearance, but your bird will love it.
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4. Peanut Butter & Pine Cone Wreath for Chickens
Chicken Christmas wreaths can be made using pine cones coated in smooth peanut butter and rolled in a wild bird seed mix. Florist’s wire is twisted around the base of each cone to create a loop for hanging.
If pine cones aren’t available locally, unpainted, fragrance-free cones can be purchased at craft stores. Some stores also sell natural cones in ropes, which work well for forming a wreath.
Wrap florist’s wire around the bottom of each cone, leaving 4 to 5 inches of wire to create a strong loop. For roped cones, loop the rope multiple times into a wreath shape and secure with florist’s wire every 6 inches along the circumference.
Spread peanut butter over each cone and press mixed bird seed into the coating, covering all sides. Additional florist’s wire can be used to string individual cones together, forming a full chicken Christmas wreath, or the cones can be used individually. Hang the wreaths on a run fence or inside the coop.
When hung outdoors, cone wreaths may attract wild songbirds as well. Consider creating extra cones to hang near windows for birdwatching enjoyment while keeping them separate from the chicken wreaths.
FAQ: Chicken Christmas Wreath
What is a chicken Christmas wreath?
A chicken Christmas wreath is an edible, safe decoration for chickens, made with ingredients like popcorn, cranberries, fruit, broccoli, or peanut-butter pine cones.
Are chicken Christmas wreaths safe?
Yes. Use poultry-safe ingredients, avoid glitter or paint, and offer wreaths in moderation to keep your flock healthy.
Where should chicken Christmas wreaths be hung?
Hang wreaths on run fences, coop walls, or ropes where chickens can reach them safely. Moist wreaths like fruit are best outdoors.
Can children help make chicken Christmas wreaths?
Yes. Simple designs like popcorn, cranberry, or fruit wreaths are perfect for supervised family crafting.
Final Thoughts
Chicken Christmas wreaths offer a festive, safe, and engaging way to enrich your flock’s environment during the holidays. From simple popcorn and cranberry designs to broccoli, fruit, or peanut-butter pine cone versions, these wreaths provide seasonal fun while keeping treats nutritious and secure. With a little creativity and care, holiday decorating for chickens can be both enjoyable for people and entertaining for birds, making the season bright for everyone in the coop.
This article about Chicken Christmas wreaths was written for Hobby Farms and Chickens magazines. Click here to subscribe.
