What's One Accessory That's Made Chicken Life Better?

[DonyaQuick]

Is there anything that you didn't know you needed, that you're happy you had for your chickens?

An auto door to release the hoard of hungry beasts out to where their food and water is in the morning so that I don't have to go out at the crack of dawn in torrential rain only to slip on the wet grassy hill and fall down it, eventually coming to a stop sitting in a puddle of cold water.

 

[Cookies-Chickens2004]

I'm curious about this. I understand that black bowls would be somewhat helpful in gathering heat from the sun. What benefits do you see from them, particularly in your location? I use an electric-heated waterer.

When water freezes outside in winter, ice easily breaks out to fill bowl again without disfiguring or ruining bowl. Central Ohio- cold winters with snow for several months

 

[TJAnonymous]

My list -

#1 - automatic chicken door! This has been the best investment I've made as a chicken owner.

#2 - poop boards. The 2nd best investment I've made as a chicken owner. Saves time cleaning but also my back!

#3 - heated waterers in winter

#4 - old/cheap small animal cages to use as brooders or infirmary cages. I have several of various sizes which have been invaluable when raising chickens or caring for sick chickens.

 

[LizGio]

Auto chicken door and wall mounted feeder that holds 50 lbs.

Can you show me a picture of your feeder

 

[LizGio]

I got a nipple waterer. It made my life easier because now they can't knock the water over
View attachment 3153736

So far my chickens are too stupid to figure it out even with me poking at it in a pecking manner

 

[Demonwolf37]

So far my chickens are too stupid to figure it out even with me poking at it in a pecking manner

Personally I use the automatic drinking cups. I can just dunk their beak in like any watered and hey seem to figure it out.

I have a bunch of them in a 55 gallon drum so I don’t need to worry about watering them too often

 

[LizGio]

Personally I use the automatic drinking cups. I can just dunk their beak in like any watered and hey seem to figure it out.

I have a bunch of them in a 55 gallon drum so I don’t need to worry about watering them too often

I have them too. My chickens seem too stupid for anything that's not a puddle. But they've only been out there for a week so we'll see

 

[Tre3hugger]

Can you show me a picture of your feeder

Sure! This is the one I have in the big barn (50 lbs. Really holds a whole bag of crumble)
https://www.amazon.com/Duncans-Poul...NCTMDP9/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=B07NCTMDP9&psc=1
And I have the 30lb capacity one in my smaller coop.
Thy are very minimal waste, and allow me to go a week or more without feeding.

 

[YellowRoseFarm]

Definitely the automatic coop door. It's a game-changer!

I've also given my girls some natural perches in their run, including tree stumps and branches. They seem to prefer that over any of the other "toys" I've ever used, including the xylophone and swings.

 

[Chickenguy420]

Hey Everyone!

I got a few accessories for my chicks. The xylophone (which they just knock over and sit on), unbreakable mirror, some bird balls, and a small roost with little unbreakable mirrors on the side.

I got some laying mats for the brood boxes, larger, easy-clean/no-mess feeders/waterers for the run outside. I'm trying to think what else could make life a little better for the chicks when they're older. (I have some toys & vegetable ropes ready).

Is there anything that you didn't know you needed, that you're happy you had for your chickens? The closest farm store is 30+ minutes away which isn't too far, but I'd like to be ready for storms or anything else I might not anticipate in the future. I'd rather be prepared!

Also, I was not planning on putting any solar powered lights in the coop or run. I figured I wouldn't want a light shining while i'm trying to sleep- although the chicks sleep with a light on... What is the consensus on lights?

Thanks!

I recently got a titan incubator brooder and it is awesome. The chicks would be up at night making all kind of noise with the light, but with the heater they pipe down at night and it's more natural I believe.