Treats, Toys & Winter Joys

With the days still short and the weather often dreary, February can leave even the most spirited bantam feeling a little bored.

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It's the perfect time to offer extra enrichment from chopping up seasonal vegetables to scattering boredom-busters around the run. Cara Wheeldon asked the bantam community how they keep their flocks entertained, active and happy at this quiet point in the year.

February is one of those in-between months: the worst of winter has usually passed, but spring still feels frustratingly far away. For some keepers they will also be housing their birds if in an avian flu area. For bantams, it can be a sluggish time. Less daylight means fewer foraging hours, damp ground slows natural scratching, and moult recovery can leave birds feeling a little low. That's where enrichment comes in, simple, safe treats and activities that encourage natural behaviours and keep the coop buzzing with interest.

Across the smallholding community, keepers are finding creative ways to brighten the season. And often, it's the humble store-cupboard or seasonal vegetable patch that does the work.

“Pumpkins chopped into slices keeps them busy for a few hours,” says Bruno Ingham, whose flock relishes pecking through the soft flesh.

It's a sentiment shared widely, pumpkins, squashes and winter veg are firm favourites, offering vitamins, moisture and a slow-paced, enriching activity that mimics natural foraging.