Why November Is a Critical Month for Enrichment
November is the month when things finally slow down on the homestead. The garden goes quiet, the bugs disappear, and your chickens naturally spend more time in their runs. With shorter days and cooling temperatures, boredom can creep in quickly — and boredom often leads to unwanted behaviors like feather picking, bullying, and egg eating.
Enrichment isn’t just “fun” for your flock — it’s essential for keeping them mentally stimulated, physically active, and emotionally content during the colder months.
As we transition into winter at J & J Homestead, this is when enrichment becomes part of our daily routine.
Best Enrichment Ideas for Chickens in November
1. Leaf Piles for Scratching & Foraging
November gives us the gift of endless fallen leaves, and chickens LOVE scratching through them to search for bugs, seeds, and hidden treasures.
Even if there aren’t many insects left, the act of scratching through piles keeps them occupied for hours.
Make several small piles in their run and refresh them weekly.
2. Hanging Fall Veggies (Pumpkins, Cabbage, Squash)
Pumpkins and fall squash are everywhere in November, and they happen to be one of the best enrichment treats.
Cut a pumpkin open and offer half to the flock, or hang cabbage or squash from a rope to encourage movement and natural pecking behavior.
Many homesteaders use pumpkins as a natural boredom buster — and the seeds add a healthy nutrient boost.
3. Chicken-Safe Branches & Natural Structures
With many trees shedding limbs in November winds, it’s the perfect time to add new climbing branches, perches, or hideouts to your run.
Chickens love exploring newly rearranged spaces, and natural structures encourage:
- Balance
- Exercise
- Curiosity
- A sense of novelty
Just make sure to use non-toxic wood varieties like pine, maple, or oak.
4. Protein-Rich Forage Blocks
As bugs disappear for the season, protein naturally declines in a chicken’s diet. November also overlaps with molt for many birds, so protein support is especially important.
Enrichment + nutrition = the perfect combination.
Offer flock blocks or make your own with a mix of oats, molasses, pellets, and seeds.
5. Scatter Feeding & “Treasure Hunts”
Instead of putting all treats in one place, scatter them around the run.
This encourages natural foraging behavior and keeps the flock busy longer.
Great options include:
- Sunflower seeds
- Mealworms
- Cracked corn (for cold mornings)
- Tiny pieces of fall veggies
Scatter feeding mimics what chickens love most: hunting for food.
6. Dust Baths Reinforced for Winter
Even in November, dust baths are critical for parasite prevention.
Add a covered dust bath area filled with:
- Play sand
- Dry dirt
- Wood ash (from untreated hardwood)
- Diatomaceous earth (use sparingly)
Encouraging dust bathing keeps chickens healthy AND entertained.
7. Forage Wreaths or Hanging Treat Garlands
A fun (and festive!) enrichment idea for November:
Create a “forage wreath” using:
- Kale
- Collard greens
- Lettuce
- Fresh herbs
- Twine
Hang it at head height and let the flock enjoy picking the wreath apart.
It adds color, nutrients, and lots of entertainment.
8. Logs, Stumps, and Platforms for Perching
As the ground cools, chickens appreciate places to get off the cold floor.
Add natural perches to their run using:
- Small logs
- Sections of firewood
- Low platforms
- Wooden stumps
This also enhances flock dynamics by giving lower-ranking hens more escape routes.
9. A Simple “November Playground Reset”
One of the easiest enrichment ideas?
Rearrange the run!
Move logs, branches, swings, or treat stations around to create novelty.
You’d be surprised how excited chickens get when their environment changes.
New layout = new adventure.
Why Enrichment Matters Most in November
This month marks the shift from free-ranging abundance to winter scarcity.
Chickens spend more time confined, and less time naturally foraging.
Enrichment helps to:
- Reduce stress
- Minimize feather pecking
- Support winter health
- Improve egg quality
- Encourage movement
- Strengthen flock harmony
When November slows down the homestead, enrichment adds joy back into the flock’s day.
Final Thoughts
November is one of my favorite months on the homestead — a gentle pause before winter’s hardest work begins. For our chickens, it’s a transition month too. With less daylight and dropping temperatures, they rely on us a little more to keep their minds active and their spirits high.
Enrichment is a simple, fun way to honor that connection.
With leaf piles, pumpkins, climbing structures, scatter feeding, and a few creative treats, your flock will stay busy, healthy, and happy all month long.
Here at J & J Homestead, November enrichment is part of our rhythm — and it’s a joy to watch the flock explore, scratch, peck, and play their way into winter.
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