#1, do NOT bother with cartons. Depending on your state, you may not be able to sell eggs in them, for your own use, you can easily "recycle" supermarket cartons a few times, and in the long term, a collection of washable, reuseable cartons or flats is a MUCH better investment. Neighbors getting eggs from you can provide their own cartons - and will sometimes "gift" you a few extra. I know.
#2, fake eggs aren't a scam, but they are an expensive solution. Yes, they are cute. Yes, they give your birds an idea where to lay. Golf balls work just as well, are just as easy to clean, and may well be cheaper. Ping Pong balls, too - though they are a bit thin and will need periodic replacement. If you only need 2, then sure, paying $7 at
TSC for a pair is probably worthwhile. If you need more than 6, buying the budget basement pack from your local sporting goods store is likely cheaper. If you happen to live in an urban area, you might be able to get abandoned balls at the driving range cheap, too.
Oh, you don't need them in every box, either.
#3, Boredom toys are easily harvested from the environment if you are in a somewhat rural area, but also come in the form of buckets, plant pots, and the like. You might also harvest them this time of year from the neighbors disposing of old toys - the broken kids play house, toddler bench, plastic hot wheels trike, etc all provide interesting surfaces for your chickens to hang out on.
Save the cash for the waterers and feeders - those are the hardest to successfully craft or harvest at home. Depending on flock size, you might want to consider a bucket and nipple waterers. Convenient.
Lastly, give some thought to critter-proof storage for your feed, which can be just as much an attractive nuisance as the feeders themselves.
